Why Won’t My Dishwasher Turn On?

Finding out your dishwasher is broken isn’t a great way to start your day, especially if you are also faced with the expense of calling out a professional plus taking time off work to let them in just to pinpoint the fault.

Fortunately it’s very feasible to determine and often fix a number of dishwasher problems yourself without needing to call for dishwasher repair, particularly if you happen to own a multimeter.

You might discover you are able to resolve the problem quite easily alone, especially if you are quite handy, and if not at worst you will be better placed to describe the problem when you do have to phone a repair person.

Things To Do If Your Dishwasher Won’t Start

Before you begin considering a replacement machine there are a few simple problems you should be able to troubleshoot fairly easily.

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

Everyday Dishwasher Issues That Will Prevent Your Dishwasher From Turning On

Before you begin checking your dishwasher for problems make sure that your dishwasher hasn’t been accidentally unplugged, as well as that none of the switches on the circuit breaker have tripped.

At this point you can also check that the child lock isn’t on plus try resetting your dishwasher.

You will often require the manual for this due to the fact that machines are all different but the child lock tends to be fairly easy to put on inadvertently. Likewise, if the machine has lights however will not run, the answer may be as easy as resetting the program.

Once you have ruled out these issues it’s time for the real investigations to start.

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

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

Examining the Door Latch and Door Latch Switch

The first thing to test is the door latches plus door latch switches. Your machine is not designed to operate if the door latches are not working for understandable reasons. There’s no way you would want start the dishwasher without meaning to with the door not closed.

A broken switch will stop your machine from starting and operating. You may wish to test the switch with a multimeter. The switch is generally found behind the front door panel or control panel.

Ensure the machine is unplugged before accessing the door panel and checking for continuity to ensure you do not get an electric shock.

If the latches or switches are not working you will need a replacement door latch assembly.

Checking the Timer

If you have tested your door latch and door latch switch and ascertained they 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 electricity to all the different parts the machine needs to operate such as the motor, as well as the valves.

If your dishwasher has an electric control rather than a mechanical timer then it may have to be tested while connected, in which case you should call a repair man.

Testing the Selector Switch

The selector switch is the part of the dishwasher that chooses the program , it’s style and location will vary contingent on the make and model of your machine. A broken selector switch or one that has got stuck may result in the machine not to run.

You should be able to visually check to see if the buttons are going down all the way, or you might be required to unplug the machine in order to access the control panel to test the connections for continuity with the help of a multimeter.

Testing the Motor Relay

The motor relay is an alternative component that can result in your dishwasher not starting, thus this might be the fault if you have checked the control panel and so have discovered that there should be power going to the main pump.

To check if this is the case you need to locate the motor and locate the relay that should be located next to it. This can then be removed and tested with the help of a multimeter, if faulty you may have to replace it.

Testing the Thermal Fuse

Once you have checked the above issues and are yet to find the fault the next component to investigate would be the thermal fuse. Note: Not all machines have a thermal fuse.

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

Testing the Drive Motor

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

When you have checked the other electrical components and still aren’t getting anywhere this might be the issue especially if your machine has previously been making a loud humming noise.

You can usually access the motor by taking off the panel at the bottom of the machine. Test it using a multimeter and replace if broken.

When to Get in Touch With a Repair person

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

If you are happy to undertake the above checks then you might well be able to sort out the fault without assistance. However if you are unsure it’s always better to call in the professionals.

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