Why Won’t My Dishwasher Turn On?

Discovering your dishwasher is broken isn’t a good way to begin your day, especially if you have to deal with the expense of phoning a professional as well as taking time off work to let them in just to diagnose the fault.

Luckily it’s often easy to determine and even fix many machine faults yourself without having to call for dishwasher repair, particularly if you own a multimeter.

You might find you can resolve the fault quite easily yourself, particularly if you are mechanically minded, and if not at worst you will be better placed to describe the problem when you eventually do call a repair man.

Things To Do If Your Dishwasher Won’t Turn on

In advance of searching for a replacement machine there are a few simple problems you should be able to identify fairly easily.

Safety Warning: Always make sure your machine is unplugged before attempting repairs.

Commonplace Dishwasher Issues That Will Stop Your Dishwasher From Starting

In advance of going through the following list of possible issues make sure that your machine hasn’t been unplugged, plus that there are no tripped switches in the circuit breaker.

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

You will most likely require the manual to do this due to the fact that machines vary but the child lock is usually quite easy to engage without meaning to. Similarly, the machine could have lights yet will not run, in this case the answer could be as easy as resetting the cycle.

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

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

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

Checking the Door Latch as well as the Door Latch Switch

The first thing to check is the door latches plus door latch switches. Your dishwasher is designed not to start if these are broken for understandable reasons. You wouldn’t want run the dishwasher without meaning to with the door open.

A faulty switch will prevent your machine from starting plus operating. You may wish to check the switch with a multimeter. The switch is generally situated under the front door panel or control panel.

Ensure you have disconnected power to the machine before taking off the door panel and checking for continuity to make sure you do not get an electric shock.

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

Testing the Timer

If you have tested your door latch and door latch switch and discovered they are working correctly the next component to test is the timer or electronic control.

This is the part of the machine that sends electricity to all the other electrical components the machine requires to run such as the motor, and the valves.

If your machine is controlled electronically rather than mechanically then it could need to be tested while plugged in, 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 dishwasher that selects the cycle , it’s style and location will vary contingent on the make as well as the model of your dishwasher. A faulty selector switch or one that has got stuck may result in the machine not to start.

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

Testing the Motor Relay

The motor relay is an alternative component that can cause your machine not to run, thus this could be the issue if you have tested the control panel and have discovered that there should be power going to the main pump.

To test if this is the case you need to gain access to the motor as well as find the relay that should be located next to the motor. This may then be removed and checked with the help of a multimeter and you may have to replace it.

Examining the Thermal Fuse

If you have tested the above issues yet still haven’t found the problem the next component to test would be the thermal fuse. This will only be found on some models and is designed to stop the control board overheating.

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

Examining the Drive Motor

The final part of the dishwasher you can investigate that could stop your dishwasher from running is the drive motor. This is the component that moves the water around to wash your dishes.

If you have checked the other electrical components 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 locate the motor by taking off the panel at the bottom of the machine. Test it using a multimeter and replace if faulty.

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 a repair person 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 not sure it might be easier to call in the professionals.

Don’t forget to check your insurance as well as your home cover as appliance repairs might be covered and so the expense could not be as high as you think.