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 had the same issue with my Bosch, stopped mid cycle. Thought it was the main board, but the issue was much easier to fix. Apparently one of the wire nuts separated behind the kick plate, thus no power to the unit. Perhaps due to the vibrations over the last 10+ years. The electrician had not taped it, so this gave me the opportunity to do it correctly.
Juri,
The switch may be faulty on your Beko dishwasher. Can you test it with your multimeter… What did you find when testing? Possibly jump it with alligator clips to eliminate it out of the equation? Switch should be before main power as a safety precaution, however some dishwashers are wired using different methods.
You may have a control board issue. Have you visually checked it to be sure wires are connected and no burnt areas are visible?
-RR
My Beko D5520FW stopped in the middle of cycle and does nothing. Now if press the power button (door opened) the LED (for indicating power) goes on. If I close the door the led goes off. And it wont start. Latch seems to work normal and also micro switch. If I pull the door slightly I can hear micro switch (click). I opened the lock assembly and measured micro switch with multimeter – it looks working fine. Is the micro switch before or after main power (on/off) switch? Can this switch to be faulty? Any suggestions?
Fareeha,
Unplug the dishwasher for 15 minutes. Reapply power and let the dishwasher sit for awhile. Sometimes after opening the door many times while the dishwasher is running it will think there is a problem. Doing as we suggested should reset it. You have to be patient as sometimes the dishwasher will not respond, resetting it should fix your issue.
-RR
I have a Brada dishwasher which is not working after I opened the door 3 times after starting the cycle to place utensils inside. Water fills in a little but then stops working. I turned off the main switch and tried every option but it’s still not working. Please advise.
Just wanted to say thank yo for this article. It helped us save money on a repair technician over something quite simple. Much appreciated!
Frigidaire dishwasher. Power is on and drain pump works when I first start a cycle, but then no sounds coming from dishwasher. Timer still counts the cycle down, but cycle does not run/clean the dishes. Any suggestions?