The Samsung DW80B7070's Control Lock sits on the Sanitize button: with the power on, hold Sanitize down for three seconds to lock or unlock the control panel buttons, so children cannot accidentally start the dishwasher. The Control Lock indicator lights when it is active and blinks if any button except POWER is pressed. That blinking is the confirmation that the lock is on, not a fault. The manual's troubleshooting table also lists Control Lock as a reason the dishwasher will not start: unlock it by holding Sanitize again.
Differential
Likely causes of “Samsung dishwasher controls are locked or buttons do not respond”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Control Lock is on
What separates it The Control Lock indicator is lit and blinks when a button is pressed
How to confirm Hold the Sanitize button for three seconds with the power on
- 2
The dishwasher is off
What separates it The lock cannot be turned off because the panel is dark
How to confirm Press POWER first, then hold Sanitize for three seconds
- 3
The wrong button was held
What separates it Nothing happens when another option button is held because the wrong button was held
How to confirm The lock is on Sanitize, which shares the Control Lock name in the manual
- 4
A settings-menu mode is active
What separates it Buttons do something unexpected after pressing Sanitize and Delay Start together
How to confirm Wait for the menu to time out or press POWER and start again
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the Control Lock indicator is lit or blinking
- Whether POWER wakes the panel when you press it
- Which button you were holding and for how long
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedPower on first
ReversibleThe manual says to hold the Sanitize button down for three seconds when the power is on. Press POWER so the panel lights.
Hold Sanitize for three seconds
ReversiblePress and hold Sanitize for three seconds to lock or unlock the buttons on the control panel.
Read the indicator
ReversibleThe Control Lock indicator lights if Control Lock is activated, and blinks if any button except the POWER button is pressed.
Test a button
ReversiblePress a cycle or option button. If the indicator blinks, the lock is still on; repeat the hold.
Reset the power if needed
ReversibleSwitch the dishwasher's breaker off for about 30 seconds and back on, then try again. If it still will not unlock, contact Samsung.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Settings menu (separate from the lock)
- Press Sanitize and Delay Start together for 3 seconds, then press Sanitize to move through Sound (U1 on, U0 off), Auto Release Dry alert (J1 on, J0 off), Rinse aid amount (F1 to F6) and Auto Release Dry (A1 on, A0 off), pressing Delay Start to confirm each. Lower Rack plus Hi-Temp Wash held for 3 seconds toggles Auto Release Dry.
- Rinse aid and SmartDry
- Use only liquid rinse aid, added when the Rinse Refill indicator lights, because powdered rinse aid clogs the compartment opening and makes the dishwasher malfunction. Never put detergent in the rinse aid compartment and do not overfill it, since extra can overflow during a cycle. Keep the SmartDry hot air outlet in the right corner of the lower basket clear so heat can circulate, and keep plastic dishes away from it because heat can warp them.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models DW80B6060, DW80R9950, DW80R7060, DW80M9550, DW80N3030, DW50T6060.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the lock will not release after POWER on and a three second Sanitize hold, switch the power off at the breaker for 30 seconds and try again
- !If buttons stay dead afterwards, contact Samsung service
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Samsung's own support page listing this model's manuals.
Samsung's own short user manual for these dishwashers to confirm the control-panel and code names.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I lock the Samsung dishwasher buttons?+
With the power on, hold the Sanitize button for three seconds.
How do I unlock?+
Hold Sanitize for three seconds again.
What does the blinking Control Lock light mean?+
A button other than POWER was pressed while locked.
Which button still works when locked?+
The POWER button still works when the panel is locked.
Does the lock stop the door opening?+
No; it only disables the panel buttons.
Why will my dishwasher not start?+
Samsung lists Control Lock among the causes. Unlock it, close the door, press START.
Is the lock part of the settings menu?+
No. The settings menu is entered by pressing Sanitize and Delay Start together for 3 seconds.
Does the lock survive a power cycle?+
Do not assume either way; check the lock indicator after restoring power and reapply the 3-second hold if it is off.