Rinse aid refill light (starburst)
The rinse aid dispenser in the door is (nearly) empty. Rinse aid is released in the final hot rinse so water runs off the dishes and they dry without spots or streaks.
What to do when it lights up
Open the rinse aid dispenser next to the detergent compartment and top it up with liquid rinse aid for dishwashers until it reaches the max mark (Hotpoint: at most 110 ml), then wipe up any spill so it does not foam. Miele says the message appears while there is still enough for 2 to 3 programmes, so it is a reminder rather than an emergency. If glasses show bluish streaks, the dose is too high; limescale spots or drops mean it is too low — the dose is adjustable in the settings.
What it does not mean
It does not stop the machine or mean the wash failed: the programme still runs, the dishes are just likely to dry with more spots. The light also is not a reliable gauge on every machine — Hotpoint and Beko say it never comes on if the rinse aid dose or indicator is set to zero or OFF.
Makes differ, check your dishwasher’s manual: the same drawing can mean different things on different brands, and only your model’s manual says exactly what a light means and which programmes an option works with.
- What it looks like
- A small starburst or sun-like sparkle of short rays or dots — the shine rinse aid is meant to give glasses. On AEG and Bosch panels it sits next to the salt arrows.
- Names makers use
- Rinse aid refill indicator (Bosch); Rinse aid indicator (AEG, Beko); RINSE AID REFILL indicator light (Hotpoint, Whirlpool); No rinse aid light (Smeg); Refill rinse aid (Miele display message)
Where makers differ
AEG and Miele let you switch the reminder off if you use multi-tablets that already contain rinse aid; AEG still recommends rinse aid for the best drying. Smeg marks it “some models only” and adds a sight glass on the dispenser cap. The number of dose levels differs: Hotpoint 0–5, AEG 1 to 4 or 6.
Often confused with
The dishwasher salt container is (nearly) empty. The salt regenerates the built-in water softener, which stops limescale forming on the dishes and inside the machine.
Other symbols with the same shapes
Sources
No single published standard defines dishwasher panel icons, so this meaning is taken from the manuals of 5 different maker groups (Bosch, Hotpoint, AEG, Miele, Smeg), each fetched and read on the date shown:
- Bosch: Bosch — User manual, dishwasher SMV4HVX32E (PDF) — Control panel item 4 “Rinse aid refill indicator”; “If the rinse aid refill indicator lights up, top up with rinse aid. Only use rinse aid for domestic dishwashers.” Checked 2026-09-26.
- Hotpoint: Hotpoint — Dishwasher Daily Reference Guide, 15 place settings with 3D Zone Wash and ActiveDry (PDF, 05/2023) — “The rinse aid dispenser A should be filled when the RINSE AID REFILL indicator light … is lit”; max. 110 ml; “If the rinse aid level is set to ZERO … The LOW RINSE AID indicator light will not be lit if you run out of rinse aid.” Checked 2026-09-26.
- AEG: AEG — User manual, dishwasher FSK52917Z (PDF, Electrolux media library) — “Rinse aid indicator. It is on when the rinse aid dispenser needs refilling.” The notification can be deactivated when using multi-tablets; “for best drying performance, always use rinse aid.” Checked 2026-09-26.
- Miele: Miele — Operating instructions, dishwashers with touch display, M.-Nr. 11 831 681 (PDF) — “When the refill reminder Refill rinse aid appears in the display, the reservoir contains sufficient rinse aid for 2 to 3 programmes only.” Checked 2026-09-26.
- Smeg: Smeg — Instruction manual: guide for using the dishwasher and the washing programs, 19390674500 (PDF) — Front panel item 4 “NO RINSE AID LIGHT (some models only)”; refill “when the optical level indicator becomes clear again, or when the rinse aid warning light illuminates.” Checked 2026-09-26.
Written in our own words; quotations are the makers’ wording.