Dishwasher won’t turn on? 6 tips to get it working
By Evan Crowther•Last updated Sep 27, 2023
Last updated Sep 27, 2023
The dishwasher is a huge help for kitchen cleanup and actually uses less water than hand washing. However, when a dishwasher is not working properly and won’t turn on, it can be a big inconvenience to your after-meal routine.
Several culprits may be behind this problem. In this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the most common issues that prevent your dishwasher from starting and offer some troubleshooting tips.
Check the power supply
Possibly the most common reason a dishwasher won’t start is a problem with the power source. This could be due to a tripped circuit breaker or a power switch being turned off. Do the following:
- Make sure the dishwasher is plugged in. Some dishwasher models have a power cord that plugs into an outlet, usually under the kitchen sink, while others may be hardwired into a home's electrical system.
- Check the wall switch. Many newer homes have a switch on the wall that controls the flow of electricity to the appliance. Someone in the home may have turned this switch off by mistake.
- Inspect your home’s electrical panel. You can typically find this panel and the breaker box in a low-traffic space like a garage, utility closet, or basement. Look for any breakers that have switched off. If the breaker has tripped, switching it back on usually solves the problem.
Check the water supply
Another reason your dishwasher may not start is that no water can get to the machine. Check the water supply, and make sure no valves are closed.
You may also need to inspect the hoses for kinks or clogs. You may be able to straighten out the kinks on your own. If they're damaged, be ready to replace them.
An appliance repair technician may be able to help. However, you should consider contacting a plumber for issues with the water supply. If you can’t find any problems with the water supply, you can rule it out as a reason the appliance won’t turn on.
Examine the door latch
If the dishwasher door isn’t fully latched, many machines will not start. The door latch prevents water from escaping and damaging your home during a wash cycle. However, if the latch is bent out of shape or broken, the door won’t fully close. A faulty door latch can also make the appliance behave as if the door is open, even when it’s closed.
Check for signs of damage to the door latch. For minor damage, handy homeowners may be able to repair or replace the latch themselves. Some models have more complicated parts, in which case you may prefer to hire an appliance repair technician.
Reset the dishwasher
Most modern dishwashers have some form of digital computer on board. Like a computer, the control panel can run into errors that prevent a dishwasher from starting. A manual reset can usually clear these errors and get your dishwasher back to normal.
The easiest way to manually reset a dishwasher is with a power cycle. Simply disconnect the power supply by unplugging the machine or turning off the breaker. After a few minutes, restore power to your dishwasher.
Choose the correct settings
The issue may also be as simple as a delayed start selection or a control lock. When starting the dishwasher, it’s easy to mistakenly use the selector switch to change your appliance’s settings.
Check the control board to see what cycle settings you have selected. Pressing and holding the LOCK button for a few seconds should turn off a control lock. You can test this with the START button or any other button on the control panel. If the control lock light flashes three times when you press the button, the lock is in effect.
In some cases, no matter what button you touch, the dishwasher won’t start. If no lights come on at all, there may be an issue with the connection to the control panel or some other mechanical problem.
Hire a pro to perform mechanical repairs
If none of the above suggestions help, your dishwasher may have a mechanical problem. An internal part, such as the motor start relay, thermal fuse, or drive motor, may have broken or worn down.
If the issue is with the appliance itself, the problem will most likely require the attention of a professional. Not only is it difficult to perform a mechanical repair, but diagnosing a mechanical issue also typically takes an experienced technician.
Unless you are highly experienced with these types of repairs, consider skipping the DIY route. Hire a pro instead.
Dishwasher repair tips from various manufacturers
If you need more help to get your dishwasher to start, consider these resources from various manufacturers:
Find Thumbtack pros who can fix your dishwasher
Still can’t get your dishwasher to start up? It’s time to call a professional. An appliance repair technician will have the tools, skills, and experience to diagnose and repair your dishwasher.
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