Why Won’t My Dishwasher Turn On?

Finding out your dishwasher is broken isn’t a good way to start your day, particularly if you have to deal with the expense of phoning an engineer as well as taking time off work to let them in just to diagnose the issue.

Fortunately it’s very feasible to pinpoint and often sort out many dishwasher faults yourself without needing to call for dishwasher repair, particularly if you are able to find a multimeter.

You could realize you are able to fix the issue quite easily yourself, particularly if you are mechanically minded, and if not at least you will have a better idea of the issue when you do have to phone a repair man.

Things To Do If Your Dishwasher Won’t Start

Before you start considering a new dishwasher there are a few common issues you can identify without too much trouble.

Safety Warning: Always make sure your dishwasher is unplugged before testing or replacing any electrical components.

Common Dishwasher Issues That Will Prevent Your Machine From Starting

Before you begin investigating your machine for issues make sure that your dishwasher hasn’t been switched off, as well as that none of the switches on the circuit breaker have tripped.

This is also a good time to see if the child lock hasn’t been activated plus try resetting your dishwasher.

You will most likely need the user manual to do this due to the fact that machines are all different however the child lock tends to be quite easy to engage inadvertently. Similarly, if the machine has lights yet will not run, the answer could be as easy as resetting the program.

When you have ruled out these issues you can start the real troubleshooting.

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

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

Checking the Door Latch and Door Latch Switch

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

A defective switch will stop your dishwasher from turning on plus running. You should test the switch with a multimeter. The switch is generally found under the front door panel or control panel.

Double check you have disconnected power to the dishwasher prior to taking off the door panel plus testing for continuity to prevent yourself from getting an electric shock.

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

Testing the Timer

If the door latch plus door latch switch, are working as they should the next component to test is the timer or electronic control.

This is the part of the machine that distributes power to all the different parts the machine requires to run including the motor, and the water inlet valve.

If your dishwasher has an electric control as opposed to a mechanical timer then it might need to be tested while connected, this can be dangerous and should only be done by someone who is professionally trained.

Checking the Selector Switch

The selector switch is the component that chooses the program , it’s style and location will vary contingent on the make or model of your dishwasher. A broken selector switch or even one that has not been fully pressed down might cause the machine not to run.

You should be able to visually investigate to see if the buttons are going down all the way, or you may be required to disconnect the machine in order to have a look at the control panel to check the connections for continuity using a multimeter.

Testing the Motor Relay

The motor relay is an alternative component that may cause your dishwasher not to run, and this may be the fault if you have tested the control panel and so have discovered that there is power running to the main pump.

To investigate this you need to locate the motor as well as locate the relay that will usually be mounted next to it. This could then be taken out as well as checked with a multimeter, if broken you may have to replace it.

Checking the Thermal Fuse

When you have investigated all the above and are still looking for the fault the next part to check 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 to restore power to the control board.

Checking the Drive Motor

The final part of the machine you could check that may stop your machine from working is the drive motor. This is the component that circulates the water to wash your dishes.

When you have tested the other electrical components but 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 can usually gain access to the motor by taking off the lower access panel. Test it with the help of a multimeter then replace if not working.

When to Contact 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.

If you do have a multimeter and can perform the above tests then you could well be able to fix the issue without needing a professional. But if you are unsure it’s always better to contact an engineer.

And examine your warranty plus your home cover as appliance repairs might be included which means the expense could not be as high as you think.