Why Won’t My Dishwasher Turn On?

Finding out your dishwasher isn’t working isn’t a great way to begin your day, particularly if you have to deal with the cost of phoning a professional as well as staying home to let them in just to pinpoint the fault.

Fortunately it’s very feasible to determine and even resolve many machine problems yourself without needing to call for dishwasher repair, particularly if you own a multimeter.

You may realize you are able to sort out the fault quite easily by yourself, particularly if you are quite handy, and if you can’t at worst you will have a better idea of the issue when you do call a repair man.

What To Do If Your Dishwasher Won’t Turn on

In advance of considering a replacement machine there are a number of common faults you can troubleshoot fairly easily.

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

Everyday Dishwasher Faults That Will Prevent Your Machine From Starting

In advance of checking your machine for problems make sure that your machine hasn’t been accidentally unplugged, plus that none of the switches on the circuit breaker have tripped.

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

You will probably require the manual to do this due to the fact that models are all different but the child lock is often fairly easy to engage inadvertently. Similarly, if the dishwasher has lights but will not start, the solution might be as simple as resetting the program.

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

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

To test these components you will have to have a multimeter, or VOM (volt-ohm-milliammeter) to test the resistance and 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 plus door latch switches. Your dishwasher is designed not to operate if the door latches are broken for obvious reasons. There’s no way you would want begin the dishwasher without meaning to with the door open.

A broken switch will prevent your dishwasher from turning on plus completing a cycle. You may wish to test the switch with a multimeter. The switch will usually be located behind the front door panel or control panel.

Double check you have disconnected power to the dishwasher prior to removing the door panel plus checking for continuity to make sure you do not get an electric shock.

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

Testing the Timer

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

This is the component that sends power to all the different components the machine needs to operate including the pumps, as well as the valves.

If your machine has an electric control rather than a mechanical timer then it could have to be tested while live, this can be dangerous and should only be done by someone who is professionally trained.

Testing the Selector Switch

This is the part of your machine that selects the cycle , it’s style and location will vary depending 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 turn on.

You should be able to see if the buttons are depressing fully, or you may have to unplug the machine in order to have a look at the control panel to check the contact points for continuity using a multimeter.

Checking the Motor Relay

The motor relay is another part that could cause your machine not to start, thus this may be the issue if you have checked the control panel and thus have discovered that there is power running to the main pump.

To test this you need to find the motor as well as find the relay that should be located next to the motor. This could then be taken out as well as tested with a multimeter and you may have to replace it.

Examining the Thermal Fuse

If you have tested all the above and are yet to find the problem the next part to test would be the thermal fuse. Note: Not all dishwashers have a thermal fuse.

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

Examining the Drive Motor

The final component you can test that might stop your dishwasher from working is the drive motor. This is the part of the machine that moves the water around to wash your dishes.

When you have tested the other parts but still haven’t discovered the issue this could be the issue especially if you noticed a loud humming coming from the machine.

You can usually access the motor by taking off the panel at the bottom of the machine. Check it by using a multimeter and replace if not working.

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 checks then you could well be able to fix the problem without needing a professional. However if you are not sure it’s always better to call in the professionals.

Plus examine your insurance as well as your home cover as appliance repairs might be covered and so the expense may be less than you were expecting.