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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My dishwasher (jenn air) will not start unless I push hard near the top of the door. Once I do that then the lights will turn on and I can push the start button. If I just close the dishwasher no lights will appear and I cant get it to work unless I push hard on the door then the lights will appear and it will start.
Second that, thank you! Mine is an Ariston, and holding the P button for 15 seconds worked:)
Hannah,
If your Whirlpool dishwasher was beeping and you unplugged it, it may take some time to reset after plugging it back in.
Plug it back in, make sure you have power to the dishwasher, shut the door, give it about 10 minutes and wait, then press the power or start button and it should begin working.
If not let us know…. You may have a bad board or wiring to the dishwasher is loose or not connected properly.
-RR
I have a whirlpool 6th sense one touch and it was working fine, it then started beeping non stop so we turned it off and no there is no power to it, plug and fuse work fine.
M
I have a Hoover dishwasher, which was coming to the end of a hot cycle when we noticed a burning sort of smell and then all of a sudden it turned it self of. Now there is water in the bottom and no power at all. What could it be please.
Chad Carter,
We would suspect you have a bad water inlet valve or drain pump that is causing your multiple issues.
First, try plugging the dishwasher into another non GFCI outlet, see what happens.
If it trips the main breaker, you have a faulty water inlet valve or pump.
-RR