Why Won’t My Dishwasher Turn On?

Finding out your dishwasher is broken isn’t a fun way to start your day, particularly if you are also faced with the expense of phoning a repair person and taking time off work to let them in just to pinpoint the fault.

Luckily it’s very feasible to diagnose and often fix a number of machine faults alone without needing to call for dishwasher repair, particularly if you have a multimeter.

You could realize you are able to fix the problem quite easily alone, particularly if you are good at DIY, and if not at least you will have a better idea of the fault when you eventually do call a repair man.

Things To Do If Your Dishwasher Won’t Turn on

In advance of looking for a new dishwasher there are a number of simple faults you should be able to identify without too much issue.

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

Routine Dishwasher Issues That Will Prevent Your Machine From Turning On

In advance of checking your dishwasher for faults make sure that your machine hasn’t been accidentally unplugged, and that there are no tripped switches in the circuit breaker.

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

You will probably need the user guide to do this as machines are all different however the child lock is often quite easy to put on inadvertently. Similarly, if the dishwasher has lights but will not start, the answer may be as easy as resetting the cycle.

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

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

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

Testing the Door Latch and Door Latch Switch

The first thing to check is the door latches plus door latch switches. Your machine is designed not to run if the door latches are broken for obvious reasons. There’s no way you would want to be able to accidentally start the dishwasher with the door not closed.

A faulty switch will stop your dishwasher from turning on as well as running. You may wish to check the switch using a multimeter. The switch is generally located under the front door panel or control panel.

Ensure you have disconnected power to the machine prior to accessing the door panel plus checking for continuity to make sure you do not get an electric shock.

If you discover the latches or switches are not working you will need to replace them.

Testing the Timer

If you have tested your door latch and door latch switch and discovered they are operating correctly the next thing to check is the timer or electronic control.

This is the component that sends electricity to all the different components the machine requires to operate such as the motor, as well as the valves.

If your machine is controlled electronically rather than mechanically then it could have to be checked while plugged in, this can be dangerous and should only be done by someone who is professionally trained.

Checking the Selector Switch

This is the part of your machine that selects the cycle , it’s style and location will vary contingent on the make and model of your dishwasher. A faulty selector switch or one that has got stuck might cause the dishwasher not to turn on.

You should be able to see if the buttons are depressing fully, or you may need to unplug the dishwasher in order to gain access to 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 part that can result in your machine not starting, thus this may be the issue if you have tested the control panel and thus know that there is power running to the main pump.

To investigate if this is the case you will have to locate the motor and locate the relay that should be located next to the motor. This could then be taken out and checked using a multimeter, if faulty you may have to replace it.

Testing the Thermal Fuse

If you have investigated the above issues and are still looking for the issue the next component to test is the thermal fuse. Note: Not all machines have a thermal fuse.

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

Examining the Drive Motor

The final part of the machine you could test that may prevent your machine from operating is the drive motor. This is the part of the machine that moves the water around to wash your dishes.

Once you have checked the other components and still haven’t discovered the issue this could be the cause of the problem particularly if you noticed a loud humming coming from the machine.

You can usually gain access to the motor by removing the lower access panel. Test it with the help of a multimeter and replace if not working.

When to Get in Touch With a Repair person

If you don’t have a multimeter or are not confident in taking panels off your dishwasher and checking the parts then you will be better off calling a repair person.

If you are happy to perform the above troubleshooting then you might well be able to resolve the issue without assistance. Yet if you are unsure it’s always better to contact an engineer.

Plus have a look at your warranty as well as your home cover as appliance repairs could be included which means the expense could not be as high as you think.