Why Won’t My Dishwasher Turn On?

Discovering your dishwasher has stopped working is never going to be the best part of your day, particularly if you are also faced with the expense of calling out an engineer plus staying home to meet them just to diagnose the fault.

Luckily it’s very feasible to diagnose and even sort out plenty of machine problems alone without having 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 fault quite easily alone, especially if you are quite handy, and if you can’t at least you will have a better idea of the fault when you do have to phone a repair person.

Things To Do If Your Dishwasher Won’t Turn on

In advance of looking for a replacement dishwasher there are a number of possible faults you can identify without too much trouble.

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

Everyday Dishwasher Problems That Will Stop Your Dishwasher From Starting

In advance of checking your dishwasher for problems make sure that your machine hasn’t been accidentally switched off, plus 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 and try resetting your dishwasher.

You will often need 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 inadvertently. Likewise, the dishwasher may have power but will not start, in this case the answer might be as simple as resetting the program.

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

1. Check the door latch or door latch switch.
2. Examine the timer.
3. Check the selector switch.
4. Check the motor relay.
5. Examine the thermal fuse.
6. Examine 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 parts are working as they should.

Testing the Door Latch as well as the Door Latch Switch

The first place to start is the door latches and door latch switches. Your machine is designed not to operate if the door latches are broken for obvious reasons. You wouldn’t want run the dishwasher without meaning to with the door ajar.

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

Ensure you have disconnected power to the dishwasher prior to taking off the door panel as well as checking for continuity to prevent yourself from getting an electric shock.

If the latches or switches are faulty you will need to replace them.

Testing 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 component that sends electricity to all the different electrical components the machine requires to operate including the motor, plus the water inlet valve.

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

Testing the Selector Switch

This is the part of your machine that selects the cycle and will vary contingent on the make and model of your machine. A not working selector switch or even one that has not been fully depressed could cause the dishwasher not to turn on.

You should be able to visually check to see if the buttons are going down all the way, or you might need to disconnect the machine in order to access the control panel to check the contact points for continuity using a multimeter.

Testing the Motor Relay

The motor relay is an alternative component that could result in your dishwasher not starting, so this may be the problem if you have checked the control panel and so know that there should be power running to the main pump.

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

Checking the Thermal Fuse

Once you have checked all the above and are still looking for the issue the next component to check is 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 for the control board to get power.

Checking the Drive Motor

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

If you have checked the other components 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 access the motor by removing the panel at the bottom of the machine. Check it with the help of a multimeter then replace if not working.

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 be better off calling a repair person sooner rather than later.

If you are happy to undertake the above checks then you could well be able to fix the issue without assistance. Yet if you are not sure it’s always better to call in the professionals.

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