Why Won’t My Dishwasher Turn On?

Discovering your dishwasher is broken isn’t a good way to begin your day, especially if you are also faced with the cost of calling out a professional plus taking time off work to meet them just to diagnose the fault.

The good news is it’s very feasible to determine and even resolve a number of dishwasher faults yourself without needing to call for dishwasher repair, particularly if you happen to are able to find a multimeter.

You may find you are able to fix the problem quite easily alone, particularly if you are quite handy, and if not at least you will be better placed to describe the problem when you do call an engineer.

What To Do If Your Dishwasher Won’t Start

Before you begin searching for a replacement machine there are a number of common issues you should be able to identify without too much trouble.

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

Commonplace Dishwasher Faults That Will Stop Your Dishwasher From Turning On

In advance of checking your dishwasher for faults ensure that your dishwasher hasn’t been inadvertently 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 as well as try resetting your dishwasher.

You will most likely require the user manual for this as models are all different but the child lock is usually quite simple to engage accidentally. Similarly, the dishwasher might have power yet will not start, in this case the answer might be as simple as resetting the program.

When you have eliminated these faults it’s time for the real detective work to begin.

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

To check these electrical components you will need a multimeter, or VOM (volt-ohm-milliammeter) to test the resistance as well as check the electrical components are operating as they should.

Checking the Door Latch as well as the Door Latch Switch

The first thing to check is the door latches as well as door latch switches. Your machine is designed not to start if these are faulty for obvious reasons. There’s no way you would want begin the machine without meaning to with the door open.

A broken switch will prevent your dishwasher from turning on as well as running. You can check the switch using a multimeter. The switch is generally found under the front door panel or control panel.

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

If you discover the latches or switches are not working 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 thing to test is the timer or electronic control.

This is the component that sends electricity to all the different electrical components the machine needs to run such as the motor, as well as the water inlet valve.

If your dishwasher is controlled electronically rather than mechanically then it might need to be checked while connected, in which case you should call a repair man.

Checking the Selector Switch

This is the part of your machine that selects the program and will vary contingent on the make or model of your machine. A broken selector switch or one that has got stuck may cause the machine not to run.

You should be able to see if the buttons are depressing fully, or you could be required to disconnect the dishwasher and access the control panel to test the connections for continuity with the help of a multimeter.

Checking the Motor Relay

The motor relay is another part that could 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 investigate if this is the case you need to locate the motor plus find the relay that should be mounted next to the motor. This could then be removed plus checked using a multimeter and it might need to be replaced.

Checking the Thermal Fuse

Once you have tested all the above and are still looking for the problem the next part of the dishwasher to test is the thermal fuse. This may or may not be present and is there to stop the control board overheating.

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

Testing the Drive Motor

The final part of the machine you should be able to check that might prevent your dishwasher from working is the drive motor. This is the component that circulates the water to wash your dishes.

When you have tested the other parts yet 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 removing the lower access panel. Test it with the help of a multimeter then replace if broken.

When to Contact a Professional

If you don’t have a multimeter or are not confident in taking panels off your dishwasher and checking the electrical components then you will need to call an engineer.

If you are happy to perform the above troubleshooting then you could well be able to resolve the issue without needing a professional. Yet if you are con confident it might be easier to call in the professionals.

And have a look at your warranty plus your home cover as dishwasher repairs might be covered meaning the costs might not be as high as you think.