Why Won’t My Dishwasher Turn On?

Finding out your dishwasher has stopped working isn’t a fun way to begin your day, particularly if you are also faced with the cost of phoning an engineer plus taking time off work to meet them just to determine the problem.

The good news is it’s possible to determine and even fix a number of dishwasher problems alone without having to call for dishwasher repair, especially if you are able to find a multimeter.

You could discover you can sort out the issue quite easily alone, especially if you are quite handy, and if you can’t at least you will have a better idea of the problem when you eventually do call an engineer.

Things To Do If Your Dishwasher Won’t Turn on

In advance of considering a replacement machine there are a number of simple faults you should be able to troubleshoot fairly easily.

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

Everyday Dishwasher Problems That Will Stop Your Dishwasher From Starting

Before you begin going through the following list of possible issues make sure that your machine hasn’t been switched off, and 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 plus try resetting your dishwasher.

You will probably need the manual to do this as machines vary however the child lock tends to be fairly simple to engage without meaning to. Similarly, the dishwasher may have lights but will not start, in this case the answer may be as easy as resetting the cycle.

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

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

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

Examining 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 start if these are broken for obvious reasons. You wouldn’t want to be able to accidentally begin the dishwasher with the door ajar.

A broken switch will stop your machine from turning on as well as completing a cycle. You should check the switch using a multimeter. The switch will usually be located under the front door panel or control panel.

Double check you have disconnected power to the dishwasher before removing the door panel and checking for continuity to prevent yourself from getting an electric shock.

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

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 part of the machine that sends power to all the other parts the machine requires to run including the pumps, plus the water inlet valve.

If your dishwasher has an electronic control rather than a mechanical timer then it may have to be checked while connected, in which case you will need to call a repair man.

Checking the Selector Switch

This is the part of your machine that selects the cycle and will vary depending on the make as well as the model of your machine. A not working selector switch or one that has got stuck might result in the machine not to turn on.

You can usually see if the buttons are depressing fully, or you might need to disconnect the dishwasher 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 another part that could cause your dishwasher not to run, so this could be the problem if you have tested the control panel and have discovered that there should be power running to the motor.

To investigate if this is the case you need to find the motor as well as find the relay that will usually be located next to it. This may then be removed as well as checked with a multimeter and it might need to be replaced.

Testing the Thermal Fuse

When you have checked all the above but still haven’t found the issue the next part of the machine to check would be the thermal fuse. This will only be found on some models and is there to stop the control board overheating.

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

Examining the Drive Motor

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

Once you have tested the other components yet still aren’t getting anywhere 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. Check it with the help of a multimeter then replace if not working.

When to Get in Touch With an Engineer

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

Don’t forget to examine your insurance and your home cover as appliance repairs could be included and so the expense might not be as high as you think.