You’re loading up your Samsung dishwasher after dinner, ready to hit that Express 60 button for a quick wash. But instead of starting up like usual, the light just keeps blinking at you. It’s frustrating, especially when you’ve got a pile of dishes waiting.
Here’s what’s happening and how you can fix it yourself. We’ll walk through why this blinking happens, what usually causes it, and the simple steps you can take to get your dishwasher running again.
What’s Really Going On With That Blinking Light
That Express 60 light isn’t blinking just to annoy you. Your dishwasher is actually trying to tell you something. Think of it like a warning signal on your car dashboard. The machine has detected an issue that’s stopping it from running the Express 60 cycle properly.
Most Samsung dishwashers use these blinking lights as error codes. Each pattern means something different. The Express 60 light specifically points to problems related to water flow, drainage, or cycle completion. Your dishwasher is basically saying it can’t guarantee a proper 60-minute wash under current conditions.
If you ignore this blinking and try to force the machine to run, you might end up with bigger problems. Water could overflow onto your kitchen floor. Your dishes might sit in dirty water for hours. Or worse, the internal components could get damaged from running when they shouldn’t.
The good news is that most causes behind this blinking light are fixable without calling a repair person. Many of them are simple maintenance issues that you can handle in less than 30 minutes. Some fixes take even less time than that.
Samsung Dishwasher Express 60 Light Blinking: Common Causes
Understanding what triggers this blinking helps you fix it faster. Let’s look at the usual suspects behind this issue.
1. Clogged or Kinked Drain Hose
Your drain hose is like a highway for dirty water leaving the dishwasher. If something blocks that highway or bends it too sharply, water can’t flow out properly. This backup triggers the blinking light because your dishwasher knows it can’t complete a cycle if old water is still sitting inside.
Check behind and under your dishwasher. Sometimes during installation or cleaning, the hose gets pushed against the wall and creates a kink. Food particles can build up inside the hose over time too, especially if you don’t rinse dishes before loading them.
2. Dirty or Blocked Filter
Every dishwasher has a filter that catches food bits before they clog up the drain pump. Over weeks and months, this filter collects quite a bit of gunk. Small pieces of food, grease, and even bits of paper labels from jars all end up there.
Once the filter gets too dirty, water can’t pass through it efficiently. Your dishwasher senses this slow drainage and refuses to start the Express 60 cycle. The machine won’t risk flooding your kitchen or leaving dishes sitting in grimy water.
You can usually find the filter at the bottom of the dishwasher tub. It’s often a cylindrical piece that twists out. Yours might look different depending on your Samsung model, but most are easy to spot and remove.
3. Faulty Water Inlet Valve
The water inlet valve controls how much fresh water enters your dishwasher. If this valve gets stuck, doesn’t open fully, or has mineral buildup from hard water, your dishwasher can’t fill properly. Without enough water, the Express 60 cycle can’t run.
This valve sits behind the lower front panel of your dishwasher, where the water supply line connects. Hard water leaves calcium and lime deposits that gradually restrict water flow. Even a partially clogged valve can cause the Express 60 light to start blinking.
4. Malfunctioning Door Latch or Sensor
Your dishwasher won’t run if it thinks the door is open. The door latch has a sensor that confirms the door is fully closed and locked. If this sensor goes bad or the latch mechanism wears out, your dishwasher stays in limbo.
The blinking light appears because the machine is waiting for a signal that never comes. The latch might look closed to you, but electronically, the dishwasher isn’t getting confirmation. This is especially common in dishwashers that are a few years old, where the latch mechanism has been opened and closed thousands of times.
5. Problems With the Control Board
The control board is your dishwasher’s brain. It manages all the cycles, monitors sensors, and controls the display lights. Sometimes this board develops glitches, either from power surges, moisture getting inside, or just regular wear over time.
A malfunctioning control board might send false error signals. Your dishwasher could be perfectly fine mechanically, but the board thinks there’s a problem and triggers the blinking light. This happens less often than the other causes, but it’s worth considering if nothing else seems wrong.
Control board issues can be tricky because they’re not always consistent. The light might blink one day and work fine the next, making it hard to pin down the exact problem.
Samsung Dishwasher Express 60 Light Blinking: How to Fix
You’ve got several options to try before spending money on a repair call. Let’s go through them step by step.
1. Reset Your Dishwasher
Sometimes your dishwasher just needs a fresh start. A simple reset clears temporary glitches in the control system and often solves the blinking light issue.
Here’s how to do it:
- Press and hold the Start/Cancel button for about 3 seconds
- Wait for the dishwasher to drain completely (you’ll hear it working)
- Unplug the dishwasher from the wall outlet or flip its circuit breaker off
- Leave it off for at least 5 minutes
- Plug it back in or turn the breaker back on
- Try running the Express 60 cycle again
This reset works surprisingly often. You’re basically giving the control board a chance to recalibrate and clear any error codes stuck in memory. If the blinking was caused by a one-time glitch or sensor hiccup, this fix will take care of it.
2. Clean the Filter Thoroughly
A clean filter is essential for proper drainage. Most people don’t clean this often enough, and it’s one of the easiest fixes you can do.
Pull out the lower rack to access the filter at the bottom of the tub. Twist the filter counterclockwise (usually) and lift it out. You might need to remove an outer filter basket first, depending on your model.
Rinse the filter under hot running water. Use an old toothbrush to scrub away any stuck-on food particles or grease. Check the filter housing in the dishwasher too, and wipe out any debris you see there. Put everything back in reverse order, making sure the filter locks into place properly.
3. Inspect and Clear the Drain Hose
Your drain hose needs a clear path for water to exit. Pull your dishwasher out from under the counter if you can access it easily, or work from the front panel if that’s simpler.
Look for any obvious kinks or bends in the hose. Straighten these out gently. Disconnect the hose from the drain connection (keep a towel handy for water spillage) and look inside both ends. Flush water through it to clear any blockages.
While you’re there, make sure the hose has a proper high loop or air gap. The hose should rise up higher than the connection point before dropping down to drain. This prevents dirty water from flowing back into your dishwasher.
4. Test the Door Latch
Open and close your dishwasher door several times, listening for a solid click each time. The latch should engage firmly without wiggling. If the door feels loose or doesn’t click properly, you’ve found your problem.
Clean around the latch area with a damp cloth. Sometimes soap scum or food residue interferes with the sensor. Check the strike plate on the dishwasher frame where the latch catches. Make sure it’s aligned and not bent.
Try running a cycle with the door slightly pressed inward for the first few seconds after starting. If the blinking stops, your latch mechanism might need adjustment or replacement. This is still a fairly easy DIY fix with just a screwdriver and a replacement part.
5. Check the Water Inlet Valve
Turn off the water supply to your dishwasher first. This valve usually has a shut-off under your sink. Disconnect the water line from the inlet valve at the back of your dishwasher.
Look inside the valve screen for mineral deposits or debris. You can soak the screen in vinegar for about 30 minutes to dissolve hard water buildup. Rinse it thoroughly before reconnecting everything.
If the valve itself seems stuck or damaged, you’ll need a replacement. These are available at appliance parts stores and aren’t too expensive. Replacing the valve is straightforward if you’re comfortable with basic plumbing tasks.
6. Examine the Spray Arms
Blocked spray arms can create drainage and water pressure issues that trigger error lights. Pull out both the upper and lower spray arms (they usually just lift off or unscrew).
Hold each one up to the light and look through the spray holes. Use a toothpick or small wire to clear any clogged holes. Rinse the arms under running water. Before putting them back, spin them by hand to make sure they move freely.
7. Contact a Qualified Appliance Technician
If you’ve tried everything above and that light is still blinking, it’s time to call in a professional. You might be dealing with a control board issue, a faulty pump, or an internal sensor that needs specialized tools to diagnose and replace. A qualified appliance technician has the experience and equipment to identify problems that aren’t visible during basic troubleshooting.
Wrapping Up
That blinking Express 60 light usually points to something simple like a dirty filter, kinked hose, or minor sensor issue. Most of these fixes take just a few minutes and require nothing more than basic cleaning or adjustment.
Start with the easiest solutions like resetting your dishwasher and cleaning the filter. Work your way through the other fixes if needed. Your dishwasher will likely be back to normal before you know it, washing your dishes efficiently again.