Why Won’t My Dishwasher Turn On?

Discovering your dishwasher isn’t working is never going to be the best part of your day, particularly if you have to deal with the expense of calling out a repair person plus staying home to let them in just to pinpoint the issue.

Fortunately it’s very feasible to pinpoint and often fix plenty of dishwasher problems by yourself without having to call for dishwasher repair, particularly if you happen to have a multimeter.

You might realize you are able to fix the fault quite easily yourself, particularly if you are quite handy, and if you can’t at worst you will be better placed to describe the problem when you eventually do phone a repair man.

What To Do If Your Dishwasher Won’t Start

In advance of considering a replacement dishwasher there are a few simple faults you can troubleshoot fairly easily.

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

Everyday Dishwasher Problems That Will Stop Your Machine From Turning On

Before you begin going through the following list of possible issues ensure that your machine hasn’t been inadvertently switched off, as well as that none of the switches on the circuit breaker have tripped.

At this point you should also check that the child lock hasn’t been activated plus try resetting your dishwasher.

You will probably require the user guide to do this due to the fact that machines are all different however the child lock is usually quite simple to put on without meaning to. Similarly, if the machine has lights yet will not start, the answer may be as easy as resetting the cycle.

When you have eliminated these problems it’s time for the real investigations to begin.

Check the door latch or door latch switch.
Examine the timer.
Check the selector switch.
Check the motor relay.
Test the thermal fuse.
Test the drive motor.

To examine these electrical components you will have to have a multimeter, or VOM (volt-ohm-milliammeter) to test the resistance plus test the parts are working as they are meant to.

Testing the Door Latch as well as the Door Latch Switch

The initial thing to check is the door latches and door latch switches. Your machine is not designed to run if the door latches are broken for obvious reasons. You wouldn’t want run the dishwasher without meaning to with the door not closed.

A faulty switch will stop your machine from turning on and completing a cycle. You can check the switch using a multimeter. The switch is generally found behind the front door panel or control panel.

Make sure the dishwasher is disconnected prior to taking off the door panel as well as testing for continuity to ensure you do not get an electric shock.

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

Checking the Timer

If the latch mechanism is working as it should the next thing to test is the timer or electronic control.

This is the part of the machine that sends power to all the other parts the machine requires to run such as the motor, as well as the valves.

If your dishwasher is controlled electronically as opposed to mechanically then it could have to be checked while live, in which case you will need to call an engineer.

Testing the Selector Switch

This is the part of your machine that selects the program , it’s style and location will vary contingent on the make and model of your machine. A faulty selector switch or one that has got stuck could cause the machine not to run.

You can usually see if the buttons are going down all the way, or you may be required to unplug the machine in order to access the control panel to test the contact points for continuity using a multimeter.

Checking the Motor Relay

The motor relay is an alternative component that could cause your dishwasher not to run, thus this may be the fault if you have tested the control panel and thus know that there is power running to the motor.

To investigate if this is the case you need to locate the motor and locate the relay that will usually be mounted next to the motor. This could then be removed and checked with a multimeter, if broken you may have to replace it.

Checking the Thermal Fuse

Once you have investigated the above issues yet still haven’t found the issue the next part to test is the thermal fuse. This will only be found on some models and is there to stop the control board overheating.

If you locate the fuse and discover it is blown it will need to be replaced in order to restore power to the control board.

Checking the Drive Motor

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

When you have checked the other parts yet still haven’t discovered the issue this might be the cause of the problem especially if your machine has previously been making a loud humming noise.

You should be able to access the motor by taking off the lower access panel. Test it by using a multimeter then replace if not working.

When to Contact an Engineer

Not everyone has a multimeter, or would know how to use one even if they do, in which case you will be better off calling an engineer sooner rather than later.

If you do have a multimeter and can perform the above checks then you could well be able to fix the problem without assistance. However if you are con confident it’s always better to call in the professionals.

Plus examine your insurance plus your home cover as dishwasher repairs might be included and so the expense could be less than you were expecting.