A 1-1 code means your dishwasher's main control board has a stuck relay. I usually fix this by resetting the power or replacing the control board if the relay is physically fused shut.
Look, when this code shows up, that relay basically isn't coming back on its own. I've seen people reset it a dozen times hoping it'll fix itself, and it almost never does. Ignore it long enough and you're looking at a heating element that runs nonstop, which is a real fire risk. Kill the power until you can deal with it.
OK so the 1-1 code is your dishwasher telling you the relay on the control board welded itself shut. I've replaced probably thirty of these boards over the years, and nine times out of ten it's the board, not the wiring. The fix isn't complicated, but you do need to swap that board. Expect to spend $150-$250 on the part alone.
Most Likely Causes
Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:
Main control board relay failure85%
Electrical surge or ghost code10%
Wiring harness short5%
Symptoms You May Notice
The dishwasher won't start at all and the display just shows 1-1 no matter what buttons you press.
You catch a faint burnt or hot smell coming from the machine even when it's supposedly off and idle.
The clean light flashes in a repeating pattern instead of staying solid after a cycle.
Dishes come out wet and almost uncomfortably hot because that heater never actually shut off during the cycle.
Machine starts a wash cycle just fine then dies mid-run, usually right as it hits the heated dry phase.
Can you reset a Kenmore dishwasher to clear the 1-1 code?
Flip the circuit breaker off and leave it for five full minutes. Flip it back on, then press the Cancel or Drain button for three solid seconds to clear any stored fault codes. Now try starting a normal cycle. If the 1-1 is gone and the cycle runs all the way through, you're good. If it pops back up within seconds of powering on, the reset didn't fix the hardware and you need a new board.
Tools Required for Diagnosis
Phillips #2 screwdriverTorx T15 driverDigital multimeter (AC voltage setting)Work glovesFlashlight or phone lightElectrical contact cleaner sprayNeedle-nose pliers
Diagnostic Checklist
Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.
ComponentComponent Under Test
Expected Range0–5 VAC
ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just tap the relay to unstick it?
Honestly, don't. I mean yeah, I've seen it work once or twice in a total pinch, but tapping a fused relay is basically gambling. That relay stuck because the contacts welded together under high current. If you whack it and it releases, you've got zero idea how long it'll hold. Could be one cycle, could be two days. And if it sticks again while you're not home and that heater runs for six straight hours, you've got a way bigger problem than a broken dishwasher. Just replace the board, seriously.
What causes the 1-1 error code to appear?
Usually it's either age or a power surge. The relay inside that board handles a serious amount of current every single time your dishwasher runs a heated dry cycle, and over thousands of cycles those contacts just wear out and eventually weld shut. Power surges can do it faster by sending a spike of current through the contacts all at once. I replaced three of these boards last Tuesday alone, and two of those customers mentioned their power had been flickering recently.
How much does a control board replacement cost?
The part runs about $150-$250 depending on your exact Kenmore model. DIY it and that's basically your whole cost since it's a pretty straightforward swap once you've got the door panel open. Call a tech and figure another $100-$150 in labor on top, so you're looking at $250-$400 total. For a dishwasher that's under eight years old and otherwise running great, that math usually makes sense.
Is it worth fixing a 1-1 error on an older dishwasher?
If it's over ten years old, think hard about it. A control board is $150-$250, and if you're also looking at worn door gaskets, a pump that's getting noisy, or racks that are rusting through, you're maybe $500 total away from just buying a new machine. But if the tub looks good, the racks are solid, and everything else works fine, a new board can easily get you five more years. I've got customers running dishwashers I fixed eight years ago that are still going strong.
Does the 1-1 code mean my heater is bad?
Not necessarily, but it's worth checking while you've got everything apart anyway. The 1-1 specifically points to the relay on the control board, not the heating element itself. But here's the thing, a shorted heater can cause a relay to fail by pulling way too much current through it. So I always do a quick continuity test on the heating element before installing a new board. If the heater reads open or shows really high resistance, replace it too or your brand new board might fail the same exact way.
Can this error come back after I replace the board?
It can, but it shouldn't if you installed a quality OEM board. If you get a 1-1 code again shortly after the replacement, either the new board was defective (it happens occasionally) or something else in the circuit is causing the relay to fail again, like a partially shorted heating element pulling too much current. That's exactly why I always check the heater for continuity before I close everything back up. Saves a second service call.
Models Known to Experience 1-1 Errors
This repair applies to most Kenmore dishwashers with this error code. Common model numbers include: