Why Won’t My Dishwasher Turn On?

Discovering your dishwasher isn’t working isn’t a good way to start your day, especially if you are also faced with the expense of phoning a repair person as well as taking time off work to let them in just to diagnose the problem.

Fortunately it’s often easy to determine and often fix plenty of dishwasher issues alone without having to call for dishwasher repair, especially if you are able to find a multimeter.

You might discover you can sort out the problem quite easily alone, particularly if you are quite handy, and if you can’t at worst you will have a better idea of the fault when you do have to phone a repair man.

Things To Do If Your Dishwasher Won’t Start

Before you start looking for a replacement dishwasher there are a few common issues you can identify fairly easily.

Safety Warning: Never attempt repairs while your dishwasher is plugged in.

Everyday Dishwasher Faults That Will Prevent Your Dishwasher From Starting

In advance of going through the following list of possible faults ensure that your dishwasher hasn’t been switched off, plus that none of the switches on the circuit breaker have tripped.

This is also a good time to check if the child lock hasn’t been activated plus try resetting your dishwasher.

You will most likely require the user guide to do this due to the fact that machines vary however the child lock is often fairly simple to engage without meaning to. Likewise, the machine may have lights however will not start, in this case the solution might be as simple as resetting the cycle.

Once you have eliminated these issues you can start the real troubleshooting.

1. Have a look at the door latch or door latch switch.
2. Check the timer.
3. Test the selector switch.
4. Examine the motor relay.
5. Examine the thermal fuse.
6. Examine the drive motor.

To examine these components you will need a multimeter, or VOM (volt-ohm-milliammeter) to test the resistance and check the parts are working as they should.

Examining the Door Latch and Door Latch Switch

The first place to start is the door latches as well as door latch switches. Your dishwasher is not designed to operate if these are broken for obvious reasons. There’s no way you would want start the machine without meaning to with the door ajar.

A defective switch will prevent your machine from turning on as well as completing a cycle. You should check the switch with a multimeter. The switch will usually be located under the front door panel or control panel.

Double check you have disconnected power to the dishwasher before taking off the door panel as well as checking for continuity to make sure you do not get an electric shock.

If you discover the latches or switches are faulty you will need a replacement door latch assembly.

Checking the Timer

If the door latch as well as door latch switch, are working as they should the next component to check is the timer or electronic control.

This is the part of the machine that sends power to all the different parts the machine needs to operate including the motor, as well as the water inlet valve.

If your machine has an electric control rather than a mechanical timer then it may have to be checked while connected, this can be dangerous and should only be done by someone who is professionally trained.

Checking the Selector Switch

The selector switch is the part of the machine that selects the program , it’s style and location will vary depending on the make or model of your machine. A not working selector switch or one that has got stuck could result in the machine not to run.

You can usually visually check to see if the buttons are depressing fully, or you might have to disconnect the machine and gain access to the control panel to check the contact points for continuity with the help of a multimeter.

Checking the Motor Relay

The motor relay is an alternative part that can result in your machine not starting, thus this may be the problem if you have checked the control panel and so have ascertained that there should be power running to the main pump.

To test if this is the case you will have to find the motor plus find the relay that will usually be located next to it. This may then be taken out as well as tested with the help of a multimeter and you may have to replace it.

Checking the Thermal Fuse

If you have checked the above issues but still haven’t found the problem the next component to check is the thermal fuse. Note: Not all dishwashers have a thermal fuse.

If you locate the fuse and discover it is blown you will need to replace it in order for the control board to get power.

Testing the Drive Motor

The final component you could test that may stop your dishwasher from operating is the drive motor. This is the part of the machine that circulates the water to wash your dishes.

Once you have tested the other parts yet still aren’t getting anywhere this might be the culprit especially if your machine has previously been making a loud humming noise.

You should be able to gain access to the motor by taking off the panel at the bottom of the machine. Test it with the help of a multimeter then replace if not working.

When to Get in Touch With an Engineer

Not everyone has a multimeter, or would know how to use one even if they do, in which case you will need to call a repair person sooner rather than later.

If you do have a multimeter and can perform the above checks then you may well be able to fix the issue without assistance. However if you are not sure it’s always better to contact an engineer.

Don’t forget to have a look at your insurance plus your home cover as appliance repairs may be covered meaning the costs might be less than you were expecting.