If your dishwasher won’t turn on or start, here are a few things to check yourself before calling a technician. The most common problems with a dishwasher not getting power or lights not turning on are listed below. You can follow the steps below to repair your dishwasher and get it working again. The issues below are listed in order of most probable causes starting at the top of the list.
Note: The majority of dishwashers (whether Maytag, Kitchen Aid, Frigidaire, Kenmore, Whirlpool, and Bosch) work the same way. Using this guide to troubleshoot your dishwasher works for all dishwashers on the market today.
Dishwasher Getting Power?
If your dishwasher does not light up or is not getting power, check where the dishwasher plugs into the wall. Be sure it is plugged in. If the outlet the dishwasher plugs into is a GFI outlet, make sure it has not tripped. Reset the GFI if needed. (To be sure the outlet is getting power you can unplug the dishwasher and plug something else in to be sure the outlet is getting power.) If the dishwasher is plugged in and the GFI has not tripped, then check the breaker on the wall and make sure it has not tripped and is in the on position.
Defective Door Switch?
The next thing that could be causing your dishwasher to not start could be the door switch. This door switch is also sometimes called a door lock or door interlock switch. This switch is a safety feature and makes it so the dishwasher will not run if the door is open. If your dishwasher won’t start, then it is possible this switch is bad. This switch is located inside the door panel. To determine if the door switch is bad, remove the control panel, locate the door switch, and test it for continuity.
Blown Thermal Fuse?
Another part in your dishwasher that could be causing it to not start could be the thermal fuse. This fuse is designed to blow if the dishwasher overheats. If this fuse blows, it will need to be removed and replaced to make your dishwasher work. Most dishwashers have the thermal fuse located in the control panel area. To determine if the thermal fuse is bad, remove the control panel, locate the fuse, and test it for continuity.
Broken Door Latch?
The part that holds your dishwasher door shut is called a door latch. 99% of the time this latch is made from plastic. If this latch becomes broken or cracked, it will prevent your door from closing properly. To determine if your door latch is bad, inspect your dishwasher door and be sure the latch is not broken.
Defective Main Control Board?
The control board in your dishwasher supplies power to all components. If your dishwasher won’t start, this could mean that the board is bad. If you have tested and confirmed working all the other steps above, then the control board in your dishwasher is most likely bad and replacing it would be a smart option at this point.
What to Do When the Dishwasher Won’t Start
Do you have other troubleshooting methods for a dishwasher that won”t start? Please lend a hand to all of the people that read this page seeking help and leave your troubleshooting method below. Thanks.
Written by Keith Schneerer
Certified Appliance Tech · Founder, RemoveAndReplace.com
Keith has spent 30+ years repairing machines, starting as a military mechanic and later maintaining food processing equipment before moving into appliance repair. He founded RemoveAndReplace.com to share field-tested repair advice.
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Replace the thermal fuse – lots of tutorials online; super easy (but annoying).
I have a whirlpool that is doing same thing. Put it in, has power but no lights won’t come on. Wth is going on. Had a dishwasher before this one worked fine. Then it wouldn’t come on. Since it was old thought it just quite. But now put this one in and it is doing same thing. It is a used one. People said it worked great but can’t get it to come on.
So depressing all hooked up but not working. Help please.
I have a GE dishwasher that’s only 3 years old. Today I noticed there was no power. I checked inside the washer & checked the breaker box – no issues. I flipped the breaker off & on, no change. It appears it is plugged in behind the washer so will have my son pull it out & check that next. I have read other similar stories here. 3 yrs old WTH!!
I have a built in GE dishwasher with a hidden control panel all of the pads light up but the start pad, thus it doesn’t start the machine. Before I call a technician. Does in sound like I need to replace the panel?
Hi,
I have a Bosch dishwasher and the only way it works is for me to power off at the mains before every use then power up again using the control panel. This fix works every time but it’s a bit of a pain. Any ideas ?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
I brought a Whirlpool dishwasher from USA TO JAMAICA but it won’t start the electrician said it needs a converter to convert it from 60 cycle to 50 cycle, I have gone to Home Depot, and Lowe’s and both tell me I have to get in touch with the dealer I call Whirlpool and no one knows what I’m talking about can you help me please.
Maytag dishwasher MDB4040AWB was in the house when we moved in 19yrs ago. Last night the dishwasher turned on but did not do anything. The only sound was the timer “ticking”. We turned the knob to different positions while the door was closed and it didn’t make any other sound than that of the timer running. A number of years ago we replaced the door latch and water pump (at different times), but no other issues until last night.