What does Dacor dishwasher error code HE mean?

HE means the dishwasher cannot heat wash water to the required temperature. First, run the kitchen hot tap for a minute before starting the dishwasher. Then test the heating element (should be 10–30 ohms) and the NTC temperature sensor (about 50,000 ohms at room temp). Replace whichever component is faulty.

Dacor Dishwasher Error Code HE — Water Heater Failure

Advanced Repair 40–70 minutes Tools: Torx T20 screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver, Multimeter

What this means

Error code HE on Dacor dishwashers indicates the water heater is not raising the wash water temperature to the expected level within the allotted time. Dacor's premium dishwashers use an inline or sump-mounted heater to boost water temperature for optimal cleaning and sanitizing. Causes include a burned-out heating element, a faulty NTC temperature sensor, a control board issue with the heater relay, or extremely cold incoming water that overwhelms the heater capacity.

Alternate codes: Error HE, Heater Error

Step-by-step fix

4 steps

Run hot water before starting

Run the kitchen hot water tap for 1–2 minutes to ensure hot water is available at the dishwasher. Then start a new wash cycle. If HE was triggered by cold incoming water, pre-running the tap can resolve it.

Dacor recommends incoming water be at least 120°F (49°C) for optimal dishwasher performance.

Reset the dishwasher

Turn off the dishwasher at the circuit breaker for 5 minutes. Restore power and start a normal cycle. If HE appeared due to a temporary sensor glitch, the reset may clear it.

If HE appears only on certain cycles (e.g., sanitize) but not others, the issue may be marginal heater performance rather than a complete failure.

Test the heating element

Turn off power. Access the heating element from under the dishwasher or through the sump area. Disconnect the element wiring and test resistance — it should read between 10 and 30 ohms. No continuity means the element is burned out.

Also test between each element terminal and the chassis for ground faults. Any continuity indicates a grounding issue.

Test the NTC temperature sensor

Locate the NTC sensor near the sump or heater. Disconnect it and test resistance — at room temperature it should read approximately 50,000 ohms (50K). If the sensor reads infinity or zero, replace it.

A faulty NTC sensor can tell the control board the water is already hot when it is not, preventing the heater from engaging.

When to call a professional

If the heater and sensor test fine but HE persists, the control board heater relay may have failed. Dacor dishwasher control boards should be diagnosed by an authorized technician.

Related error codes

Information compiled from manufacturer service manuals, official troubleshooting documentation, and appliance repair industry resources. This guide is for informational purposes only — always consult a qualified technician for complex repairs.

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