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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I have a 2-3 year old Bosch dishwasher that’s been working fine. I put it on last night & it ran normally and looks like it got about half way through the cycle (the Finish tablet is half dissolved), then completely stopped. It looks like there is no power (no lights on etc). I’ve plugged another appliance into the power outlet & it’s definitely working, so not a power supply problem. Any ideas?
Jerri,
If your dishwasher is completely dead, check the fuse that is located behind the control panel. Check with a meter and be sure it is not blown. If the fuse is not the issue, then check the wire harnesses to be sure they are secure. If all seems okay, then you may have another bad board if the unit is 100% dead and no lights work.
-RR
I have a Maytag dishwasher model no. MDBH979AWS3 type 577-0. Last October it stopped working. We replaced both the control panel and keypad with new OEM parts. The dishwasher has been working properly, but the other day when I opened it to unload the dishes, I noticed the water had not drained. Also, it is completely dead. Nothing lights up on the keypad. I checked the GFI and circuit breaker and they are fine. Is there someway I can determine if one of the new parts is not working or do I need to have a repairman check it out. I’m not very technical. Thanks!
Sarah,
Be sure you have the wire harnesses plugged in tight and correctly. Be sure where the electrical plug goes into the outlet that the small GFCI breaker is not reset. Check to be sure the control board is getting voltage, if not trace it back to find where the issue is coming from.
-RR
I’ve just replaced the lock of our Hotpoint dishwasher LFT228A as this had broken and now the electrics don’t seem to be working? Have checked the fuse and it isn’t this. Any thoughts?
Sam,
Checking continuity on a circuit board is somewhat tedious but here is an article to assist you… How to test continuity on a circuit board.
-RR
Thanks for prompt response. Is it possible to verify further the continuity on the control board before I go ahead and order it for replacement? Thanks