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 Bosch dishwasher model # SHV43P13UC/64. This washer keeps tripping the GFI when i turn it on. I noticed water sitting in the bottom of the tub so i cleaned it out and sucked up the remaing water. Now it will turn on but not fill with water. When i manually poor water in the machine and then try to start it trips the GFI. I have already took apart the water inlet valve and cleaned it out. Please help!
Andrew Allan,
You may have a burnt or blown fuse (or burnt wiring from the fuse or elsewhere) in the control panel of your Whirlpool dishwasher.
Check with a meter to be sure.
You may also have a bad board. Have you checked for burnt marks or other issues? Loose wires?
-RR
I have a Whirlpool ADG8410BK, it is only 3 months old and will not light up at all, feels like there is no power however I have checked the fuse and the power supply, all of which are working. Do you have any suggestions? Incredibly frustrating with such a new machine!
Thank you so much for the “hold the hold button 15 sections to reset” tip when the hold light flashes and then turns off.
My Whirlpool Model W1043101A is running!
You’ve helped me save time-in not having to search for a repair service any longer, and money- no service charges!
Janne,
Can you elaborate on what happens when your KitchenAid dishwasher turns off?
Does the complete panel go blank and it does not light up?
Does anything flash, beep, error code?
What happens during the 30 seconds it runs before it turns off?
-RR
Kitchen Aid dishwasher. Model # KDTE404DSSO. It turns on approx and 30 secs goes off.
I had the exact same issue with my Fridigaire dishwasher. I read somewhere that it could either be the circuit board inside the dishwasher or a poor connection from the breaker to the dishwasher. So at first I shut the breaker off to the dishwasher, but only for about half a sec, then flipped it back on. It did not help. So the next day I thought about it more, and flipped it off, and left it off for about 10 full seconds, and turned it back on. Now my dishwasher is cycling through properly as I type this!! I have no idea why that worked….can anyone here explain that?? Thanks.