The most common Cove dishwasher problems fall into 5 groups: a panel that will not start, no water, wash pump drive codes, drain errors such as 800115, and wet or filmed dishes. Most begin with a safe owner check, such as the child lock, a closed supply valve, a clogged filter or a kinked drain line, and a 30-second breaker reset clears many one-off codes.
This Cove guide follows a cycle from start to finish. When a Cove code returns after the simple steps, stop and book a technician.
Why won't a Cove dishwasher start a cycle?
A Cove dishwasher that ignores every button is often locked. The Cove child lock toggles when you touch and hold Heavy for about 10 seconds, and Locked stays on the display until switched off, even through a power outage.
A Cove showing Error 980199 lost power mid-cycle. Add detergent if needed, press Cancel and restart the cycle. If 980199 keeps returning without a house outage, the Cove circuit needs a technician's meter.
What does it mean when no water comes in?
Cove error 56 01 87 (560187) means no water reached the dishwasher within the first three minutes of a cycle. Confirm the hot-water valve under the sink is fully open and the supply line behind the Cove is not kinked, then switch the breaker off for 30 seconds and retest. The earlier Cove DW2450 and DW2450WS guide lists the same fault as #560186 or #560187. A Cove that still gets no water with the valve open needs a technician to test the inlet valve.
Wash pump drive codes, group by group
Cove codes 05 01 17 and 05 01 18 are wash pump drive under-voltage and over-voltage faults from home power fluctuation. Switch the breaker off for 30 seconds and retest.
Cove code 05 01 40 is a fatal wash pump overcurrent at steady speed. Clear debris from the Cove drain, check the drain line for kinks, then reset the breaker.
Cove codes 05 01 13, 05 01 16 and 05 01 99 are MOT1 motor faults; 05 01 04, 05 01 27, 05 01 35 and 05 01 36 are overcurrent errors; 05 01 00, 05 01 38 and 05 01 80 are communication faults. For every Cove pump code, one 30-second reset is the owner step and a repeat means a technician.
How do you clear a Cove drain error?
On the Cove DW2451, "Error 800115. Check manual." means the tub is not draining. Check that the drain line and air gap are clear, the knockout plug is out of a newly installed disposal, the line is not kinked, and the drain loop sits no more than 4' (1.2 m) above the dishwasher floor. Then rinse the Cove filter. The DW2450 guide lists the drain fault as Code #800140. For "Error 700181. Call Service.", clean the Cove filter and run Rinse/Hold; if 700181 reappears, contact service.
Why do dishes come out wet, cloudy or still dirty?
Wet or streaked Cove dishes usually trace to rinse aid. Cove says to use rinse aid every time, even with detergent that contains it; refill when Add rinse aid appears and raise Rinse Aid Dosing in User Set Up if spots continue.
Filmy Cove loads often point to detergent. Cove rates powder detergent, with enzymes and bleach, as best, and warns that all-in-one pods may supply too much detergent for the Light, Quick and China/Crystal cycles.
A "Descale Unit. Check manual." message calls for a dishwasher cleaner or 3 tbsp (44 ml) of citric acid in the dispenser and a Soak & Scrub cycle in an empty Cove. On the DW2451WS, refill softener salt when Add salt appears, then run Quick; regeneration lasts about 20 minutes.
When should a Cove owner stop and call a technician?
Cove codes #600148, #600149 and #600151 are Call Service faults that need a technician from the first appearance. Stop using the Cove after any code that returns following one breaker reset, and after water on the floor, a burning smell or a tripped breaker. Note the exact code, the cycle and the model before booking; Pleasanton Sub-Zero Repair charges an $89 diagnostic fee.