KitchenAid Dishwasher PO Code: Delay Start Counting Down

Quick Answer

KitchenAid PO is a delay start status indicator that gets misread as an error code by many users because it appears unexpectedly on the display. The key fact: PO is not a fault. If you set a delay start and then forgot about it, PO will show until the countdown reaches zero and the cycle begins.

I get calls about this one constantly. Homeowners think their control board's fried or the whole panel went haywire. Nope. KitchenAid touchpads are incredibly sensitive and it's super easy to brush the Delay button while you're leaning against the counter loading the bottom rack. When you see PO, your machine's doing exactly what it was told to do. It's just waiting. Not broken.

KitchenaidDishwasherSeverity: low100% DIY Success

Time to Fix

1–2 min

Difficulty

beginner

Parts Cost

—

Tools Needed

None

What Does the PO Code Mean?

When you see PO on the display, there's usually a number right next to it like 2, 4, or 8. That's your dishwasher telling you how many hours it's planning to sit there before it starts washing. Honestly, this is one of the few codes I show up for where zero tools and zero parts are involved. One button press and you're done.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

Delay Start button intentionally pressed by user40%

Delay Start button activated when closing door36%

Delay Start button accidentally pressed during loading24%

Symptoms You May Notice

PO shows on the display panel, sometimes with a number like 2, 4, or 8 right next to it counting down the hours left before the machine starts.
You press Start and absolutely nothing happens. The machine just sits there with PO on the screen like it's ignoring you.
Display lights are all on, door's latched, everything looks ready to go, but no water, no hum, no cycle starting.
The number next to PO is slowly ticking down on its own, so PO 4 eventually becomes PO 3 then PO 2 while the machine just waits.

Can you reset a Kitchenaid dishwasher to clear the PO code?

Press the Cancel or Cancel/Drain button once. You'll hear the drain pump run for about 30 seconds, that's normal. Once it stops and the display clears, you're reset. Now select your wash cycle and press Start without touching the Delay button. On most KitchenAid models the Delay button sits right next to Start, so just be deliberate about which one you're pressing.

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my KitchenAid dishwasher show PO and not start?

PO is shorthand for Postponed or Delay. Your dishwasher's sitting in standby because the Delay Start timer got activated, usually by accident. The buttons on KitchenAid models are really responsive to light touches, and the Delay button tends to sit right next to Start on most panels. So a light brush while loading dishes is all it takes. To get things moving, hit Cancel, wait for the 30-second drain reset to finish, then start your cycle again normally without hitting the Delay button.

Is PO on a KitchenAid dishwasher actually a problem?

Not at all. In 15 years of repairs I've never replaced a single part because of a PO code. It's strictly a status message, not a component failure. Think of it like an alarm clock set for later. The only issue is the machine's waiting for a specific time to start instead of running right now. Press Cancel and you're done in under a minute. No parts, no tools, no service call needed.

How do I stop my KitchenAid dishwasher from accidentally showing PO all the time?

KitchenAid top-control models are notorious for this because the buttons hide right under the counter lip where people lean. I tell customers to wait until the rack's pushed in and they're ready to close the door before they look at the buttons at all. If you keep hitting it by mistake, check if your model has a Control Lock feature. On most KitchenAid dishwashers you hold the lock button for 3 seconds to activate lockout mode, which disables all buttons until you hold it again. That'll save you a lot of frustration.

Can I actually use delay start on purpose without it being a problem?

Absolutely, that's what it's there for. A lot of people use it to run the dishwasher at night when electric rates are lower, or to have it finish right when they wake up. Just press your cycle, then press Delay Start to scroll through the hour options, usually 2, 4, or 8 hours depending on your model, then press Start to lock it in. The machine'll hold itself until the countdown hits zero and then kick on automatically. It's a genuinely useful feature once you know you're using it on purpose instead of by accident.

What if PO keeps coming back after I cancel it?

If PO keeps reappearing every time you try to start a cycle, one of two things is probably going on. Either someone in the house keeps accidentally bumping that button again, which happens way more than people think. Or, in rarer cases, the touchpad itself is getting stuck or registering phantom presses from moisture damage. The stuck touchpad thing is uncommon but it does happen on older units with a lot of steam and moisture exposure around the controls. If PO shows up again within a few minutes on its own without anyone touching it, that's when you'd want to look at replacing the touchpad assembly, which runs around $80 to $150 depending on the model.

Related Kitchenaid Dishwasher Error Codes

Code: HUBKitchenAid Dishwasher Error Codes: F8 E4, Clean Light Blinks, 8-4 Guide Code: F8 E4KitchenAid Dishwasher F8 E4 Error Code: Water Supply Fault

Same Fix on Other Brands

Whirlpool dishwasherPO: Frigidaire dishwasherCL:

Same Fix Works on These Brands

Kitchenaid shares the same hardware platform with these brands. The diagnosis and repair steps are identical.

Maytag washerAll Maytag Washer Error Codes: Complete Lookup Guide Maytag washerHow to Reset a Maytag Washer (3 Methods That Work)Maytag washerMaytag Washer Troubleshooting: Fix 12 Common Problems Maytag washerMaytag Washer F21: Drain Pump Clog or Failure Maytag washerMaytag F03 E01: Pressure Switch or Water Level Fault Maytag washerMaytag F0 E3 Error: Pressure Switch Malfunction

Models Known to Experience PO Errors

This repair applies to most Kitchenaid dishwashers with this error code. Common model numbers include:

KDTM304ESS, KDTM354ESS, KDPE234GPS, KDTE234GPS, KDFE104HPS, KDFM404KPS, KDPM354GPS, KDTM704ESS

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 14, 2026