Appliance Spares
Quick answer: A Simpson dishwasher cannot display an error code — faults show as a repeating flash pattern on the end-of-program (“Finished”) light. One flash means it will not fill (check the tap, inlet hose and hose-fitting filter), two flashes mean it will not drain (clear the filters, sink spigot and drain hose, then suspect the drain pump), and three flashes mean the anti-flood device has tripped — close the tap and book service. Because Simpson is an Electrolux-group badge, a technician will call these same faults i10, i20 and i30, even though the panel can never show those letters.
No screen, no letters: how a Simpson dishwasher shows a fault
Every Simpson dishwasher sold in Australia used a rotary program knob plus a small row of indicator lights — washing, end of program (“Finished”), rinse aid, half load — and no display. There is no code to read. The manual’s own wording: “with some problems different indicators flash intermittently and/or continuously to show an alarm code.” In practice, the Finished light flashes a repeating burst of one, two or three flashes while a second indicator flashes continuously. Count the burst — that count is the code. This applies to the last freestanding SSF-series machines (SSF6105W, SSF6105X, SSF6106W, SSF6106X) and, with slightly different wording, the earlier 52C-series such as the 52C850. Simpson “Silencio” era machines follow the same idea: count the flashes.
Only three fault patterns are documented for owners; for anything else the manual says contact Service. Simpson sits inside the Electrolux group, on the same control platform as Dishlex (the DSF6106 is the twin of the SSF6106), so a technician will translate your flash count into platform codes i10, i20 or i30 — treat those as what your tech will call it, not something your machine can show. Likewise, don’t expect i40, i50, i60 or iF0 style codes: they exist on the wider Electrolux platform, but no Simpson manual documents them and the panel cannot display them.
Simpson dishwasher flash patterns at a glance
| Code | What it means | Most likely cause | The fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| One repeating flash | The machine is not filling with water (a technician logs this as i10) | Tap off or partly open, low supply pressure, a kinked inlet hose, or a clogged filter screen in the hose fitting at the tap | Usually fixed at the tap for free. If it still won’t fill, match the right fill part to your model with the part finder quiz. |
| Two repeating flashes | The machine is not draining — the cycle halts with water in the base (i20) | Clogged filters and sump, a blocked sink spigot or a blanking plug never removed, a kinked drain hose, or a jammed/failed drain pump | Clear filters, spigot and hose first; if the pump is jammed or dead, fit the SIMPSON DISHWASHER DRAIN PUMP SSF6105W,SSF6106W,SSF6105X,SSF6106X. |
| Three repeating flashes | The anti-flood device is on — water has collected in the base tray and tripped the float (i30) | An internal leak, a leaking door seal, over-foaming from the wrong detergent, or a one-off spill during installation | Close the tap and book service — the manual’s own instruction. If your repairer traces it to the door switch, we stock the Simpson Westinghouse Dishwasher SWITCH DOOR LIGHT MICRO NO, or run the part finder quiz. |
One repeating flash — the machine won’t fill
The control has not seen the expected fill in time. Nearly every case is water supply, not a broken machine:
- Open the tap fully and confirm water actually runs from it.
- Run a nearby tap to sanity-check household pressure — another outlet drawing hard can starve the machine.
- Turn the tap off, unscrew the inlet hose at the tap end and clean the small filter screen inside the fitting.
- Pull the machine out gently and straighten any kink or squash in the inlet hose.
- Check the tap outlet for limescale or debris.
- Close the door, press start/reset and let it retry.
If the single flash returns after all that, the inlet valve or fill-sensing side needs service diagnosis — the part finder quiz will point you or your repairer at the right part for your model.
Two repeating flashes — the machine won’t drain
The machine could not empty the tub in time, so it stops with water in the base. This is the most DIY-friendly of the three:
- Bail out the standing water, then remove and wash the filter assembly and clear the sump under it — food soil, glass, seeds and jar labels all end up here.
- Check the sink spigot for grease or food blockage, and confirm the blanking plug was actually knocked out at installation.
- Straighten the drain hose, make sure it isn’t crushed behind the machine, and confirm it rises to the specified height without being over-extended.
- Feel around the drain pump area under the filter and clear any hard debris jamming the impeller.
- Press start/reset and retry.
If two flashes keep returning with everything clear, the pump itself is the usual culprit — the SIMPSON DISHWASHER DRAIN PUMP SSF6105W,SSF6106W,SSF6105X,SSF6106X is the matching replacement.
Three repeating flashes — the anti-flood device is on
Water has collected in the tray under the tub and tripped the float, so the machine shuts the water off and runs the drain pump to protect your kitchen. The manual gives no user repair here: close the water tap and contact Service. Before you book, rule out the innocent causes:
- Turn the tap off at once — that removes the flood risk.
- Confirm only dishwasher detergent has been used; hand dishwashing liquid over-foams and pushes water into the base.
- Look over the door seal and the floor under and behind the machine for wet patches.
- Check the machine is sitting level and hasn’t been knocked recently.
- With tap and power off, leave it overnight so a one-off spill can dry out of the base tray, then retry once. If three flashes return, stop — the leak hasn’t been fixed, so book service.
Genuine causes range from a split hose or perished door seal to a pump seal leak, which is why this stays a service call. If the diagnosis lands on the door switch, the Simpson Westinghouse Dishwasher SWITCH DOOR LIGHT MICRO NO is the part your repairer will ask for.
Codes that aren’t faults
Several Simpson behaviours look like faults but are normal:
- Won’t start for about five minutes, no flashing: the water softener is recharging its resin. Wait it out rather than cancelling.
- Rinse aid light on: a refill prompt. It only shows between cycles.
- End light steady, then everything goes dark: normal end of cycle, then the automatic low-power shutdown about five minutes later.
- Stops dead when you open the door: designed pause — close the door and it carries on from the same point.
- Water sitting in the bottom, level with the filter: correct — Simpson support confirms it stops the seals drying out. Not a drain fault.
- Nothing lights up at all: a power problem, not an alarm — check the plug, socket and switchboard, then check a delay start isn’t selected and the door is latched.
Find the exact part for your model
Simpson dishwashers are discontinued in Australia — the Simpson site now carries support content only. That is exactly why we keep the parts: for a discontinued machine, a matched pump is the difference between a repair and a landfill trip. Your model number is on the model sticker, usually on the edge or side of the door — our find your model page shows where to look. From there, browse Simpson brand parts or the full dishwasher parts store — which also carries the Door Switch for Dishwasher, Microwave and Oven Universal Heavy Duty 16A 240V — or answer a few questions in the part finder quiz. Not sure what you’re looking at? Contact the shop with your model number and a photo of the flashing panel.
Simpson dishwasher error codes — FAQ
What error codes can a Simpson dishwasher display?
None — no Australian Simpson dishwasher has an alphanumeric display. Faults appear as one, two or three repeating flashes of the end-of-program light, and those three patterns are the only ones the manufacturer documents for owners.
What do i10, i20 and i30 mean on a Simpson dishwasher?
They are the Electrolux-group platform names for the same three faults: i10 is not filling, i20 is not draining, i30 is the anti-flood device tripped. Technicians use them because Simpson shares its control system with Dishlex, but the Simpson panel itself can only flash the count.
Are Simpson dishwashers discontinued, and can I still get parts?
Yes — the range is discontinued in Australia and the brand’s site is support-only. Parts are still available: we stock drain pumps and door switches for the SSF-series and related models, and the part finder quiz covers the rest.
Why is there always water in the bottom of my Simpson dishwasher?
A small amount of water level with the filter is meant to be there — it keeps the seals from drying out. It is not a drain fault. Only water flooding the base tray under the tub trips the three-flash anti-flood alarm.
My machine flashes a pattern that isn’t one, two or three — what now?
Count again over a few repeats — the burst pauses between counts. If it genuinely isn’t one of the three documented patterns, follow the manual: contact Service. Our appliance error codes hub covers the sibling brands too, in case your machine is actually a Dishlex or Westinghouse badge.
Disclaimer: this article is general information only and is provided without warranty of any kind. Appliance designs vary between models and production runs — always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, switch off and unplug the appliance before starting any work, and confirm parts against the model number on your appliance’s model sticker. Any repair is undertaken at your own risk and Oz Appliance Spares accepts no liability for injury, loss or damage arising from work performed after reading this guide, to the maximum extent permitted by law. If in doubt, use a qualified technician.
