Salt water error message when I have a water softener already

Salt is typically used in a dishwasher to regenerate the water softener. The water softener is a device that helps to remove hard water minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, from the water that is used in the dishwasher. When the water is soft, it can more easily remove food particles and stains from dishes, resulting in cleaner dishes. The salt that is used in the dishwasher is typically added to the water softener compartment and is used over time to regenerate the water softener.
If you are observing that the salt in the dishwasher compartment is being flushed away in a single cycle, it could be caused by a few different issues:

1. Overfilling: If the water softener compartment is overfilled with salt, it can cause the salt to be washed away during the wash cycle.
2. Leak: If the water softener compartment is not properly sealed, water can leak out and flush away the salt.
3. Incorrect type of salt: If the wrong type of salt is being used, it may not be compatible with the water softener and can wash away during the wash cycle.
4. Water pressure is too high: High water pressure can cause the salt to be washed away.
5. Clogged filter: If the filter in the water softener compartment is clogged, it can cause the salt to be washed away.

It's important to consult the manual of the dishwasher to understand if this is a common issue or if the problem is specific to your dishwasher. If the problem persists, it is best to consult a professional for repair or maintenance.

The top light is apparently to indicate that the salt (!) has run out.

The bottom light is apparently to indicate that rinse aid has run out.

For the record, that seems to be a Zanussi DE-6854 dishwasher, and I found the manual here: (link)


"Special salt can be added in one of two ways: 1) If you are using dishwasher detergent that already contains salt, the detergent including the salt is placed in the detergent compartment. - In this case the water softener must manually be set to 1 and electronically to 1 to ensure that the special salt is taken from the detergent container only. 2) If you are using dishwasher detergent and salt separately, the special salt is to be put into the salt container. - In this case the water softener must manually be set to 1 or 2 and electronically between 1 and 5 (depending on the water hardness in your area) to ensure that the special salt is taken from the salt container only. Only use salt specifically designed for use in dishwashers. All other types of salt not specifically designed for use in a dishwasher, especially table salt, will damage the water softener. Only fill with salt just before starting one of the washing programmes. This will prevent any grains of salt or salty water, which may have been spilt, remaining on the bottom of the machine for any period of time, which may cause corrosion." (Page 6)

"Only use branded rinse aid for dishwashers. Never fill the rinse aid dispenser with any other substances (e.g. dishwasher cleaning agent, liquid detergent). This would damage the appliance." (Page 7)

The manual also explains how to turn the Rinse Aid light off permanently if you do not wish to use rinse aid.



Good luck!

The top light is apparently to indicate that the salt (!) has run out.

The bottom light is apparently to indicate that rinse aid has run out.

For the record, that seems to be a Zanussi DE-6854 dishwasher, and I found the manual here: (link)


"Special salt can be added in one of two ways: 1) If you are using dishwasher detergent that already contains salt, the detergent including the salt is placed in the detergent compartment. - In this case the water softener must manually be set to 1 and electronically to 1 to ensure that the special salt is taken from the detergent container only. 2) If you are using dishwasher detergent and salt separately, the special salt is to be put into the salt container. - In this case the water softener must manually be set to 1 or 2 and electronically between 1 and 5 (depending on the water hardness in your area) to ensure that the special salt is taken from the salt container only. Only use salt specifically designed for use in
dishwashers. All other types of salt not specifically designed for use in a dishwasher, especially table salt, will damage the water
softener. Only fill with salt just before starting one of the washing
programmes. This will prevent any grains of salt or salty water, which
may have been spilt, remaining on the bottom of the machine for any period of time, which may cause corrosion." (Page 6)

"Only use branded rinse aid for dishwashers. Never fill the rinse
aid dispenser with any other substances (e.g. dishwasher
cleaning agent, liquid detergent). This would damage the
appliance." (Page 7)

The manual also explains how to turn the Rinse Aid light off permanently if you do not wish to use rinse aid.



Good luck!

Salt light means your dishwasher using water softener unit.

Salt light is on when either the salt (used for softener regeneration) is low or the water softener unit is not working correctly. First try and recharge the salt in the container usually the lid is on the base of the dishwasher. check this site for some idea. However, if there is water in the salt reservoir then you have to call the technician and get the whole softener unit regenerated.

Hope it is not all that serious. Please rate this solution if helpful otherwise post a comment.

The light is just to let you know that the internal water softener needs water-softener salt.

If you do not use the softener (I do not at my house) then the light serves as a convenient on/off light.

HOW MUCH SALT DO I NEED TO ADD?

Your machine may have a float indicator or a warning light to tell you when salt needs adding to the water softener. Often float indicators are difficult to see, and there is no accurate guide as to how much salt you need to add. Quite simply, just add granular salt to the reservoir until it won't take any more!

The softener will use the salt to replenish itself each time you wash. As an approximate guide, you should do a full top up about once a month. If your machine doesn't have a warning light, a good way to remember to check and / or top up is to do it on a regular day of the month (e.g. the first Saturday or the 15th)

CAN I USE ORDINARY TABLE SALT?

No. Table, cooking, rock and sea salts may contain additives that can actually increase water hardness. Also, the fine consistency of some of these salts mean they are likely to clog when wet. Always use granular dishwasher salt because it is very pure and is the right consistency for use in your machine.

Granular salt is the ONLY type of salt that should be used to regenerate the softener. Be aware that some varieties of 'dishwasher salt' use Dead Sea salt. This variety may contain minute insoluble organic matter that may adversely affect the resin within your softener over time. If you are in doubt about the origins of the salt, ask the retailer or manufacturer.

If you don't put salt in the appliance then the regeneration crystals will clump together over time and solidify. This will cause a restriction in the softener unit.
If you stopped using it and then started again you may find that the impurities caught by the crystals have simply found their way into the appliance.
You can set the softener to be at minimum setting if you are in a soft water area.

The salt isn't used to soften the water, it's used to clean the crystals in the water softener unit.
Why Do I Need to Use Salt in my Dishwasher?
Salt is needed to ensure that your dishwasher's in-built water softener gives an optimum performance. You will especially need to use dishwasher specific salt if you live in a hard water area. You can purchase one of our Aqua test strips (part number 180876) to determine the hardness of your water from our parts and accessories store or call us on 08448 225 225 .
Manually drain the floor of the machine, put in salt, and check out.
open the salt container at the bottom, and it will be full up with water, and it really will smell bad. clean it and add salt near to 1kg. then run run a prewash cycle and then check out does the salt error is coming up.if yes then more salt needs to be added.

This will help. Thanks please keep updated. please do rate the solution positively.thank you for using fixya

Hi vayvego,

I'm Harvey the Master Plumber.

You want to know why: Salt residue remains on the dishes. The water softener is going throught salt like crazy. You fill the salt and make sure that the light is off before you start the cylce. Within the first 20-45 mins the salt light comes on again and the dishes will not wash properly. You have come to the conclusion that the salt is being distributed to quicky but cannot figure out why the light keeps coming on. The switch inside the cap for the salt is set a the min.

I hope I understand you. This is how it's suposed to work. The salt in a water softener is only used for backwashig the filter. It should be set to backwash once or twice a week when nobody is useing the water, useually 2am or 3am. The only time you can get salt at the fixture is if you're backwashing when you use the water. If you're backwashing all the time either the controls aren't set right or the unit is defective, in which case it is unlikely you can fix it. In that case you might consider utilizing our Repair Directory to find a repairman. If it's still under warranty, it's time to make a phone call.

Feel free contact me again!
Please give me a rating here at fixya.com before you sign off
Thank you,
Harvey your Master Plumber

Hard water has this "crust" which are minerals floating around that ionically attach to everything. Some machines from Miele have a water softener inside the machine. Special dishwasher softener Salt is added that cleans minerals off Xeolite beads. When cleaned they attract mineral ions. If you don't use the salt then the beads fill up on minerals until they can't hold any more minerals. The salt is used in the regeneration cycle. It washes the mineral ions off the xeloite replacing them with salt ions. As new water enters the machine mineral ions slowly knock off the salt ions and attach themselves to the beads again. This whole process keeps the crust off the dishes and the walls of the machine.
Use a dishwasher cleaner that removes scale. And if you don't have a salt light on your Miele you can instead purchase soap tablets that contain water softener built in. Miele dishwasher tablets have it. You can order them online or call Miele.

the salt light is done by a reed switch operated by a float in the salty water. float may be stuck - give softener (where you put in the salt) a tap and also stir the water inside the softener. i assume you have put in enough salt. its not a serious fault