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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Bosch dishwasher won’t turn on. Already tried replacing the door latch and on/off switch. Sometimes it will power on for just a second, but immediately stops. No LED lights on the time display or cycle type indicator. Last time it ran, it did complete its cycle.
Dishwasher is Kenmore. The lights for the types of wash and dry do not work. The other lights for turbo wash and dry do. In other words all lights on left control panel do not work ones on the right do. Will not run. Have power through door switch, otherwise lights would not work but verified any ways. Any help?
I will get that part number for you.
However, according to the place I purchased it from they said it was the correct part but I can not get it to install correctly even though it is the correct panel.
The other problem I am having is when I the light continuously blinks lock and it will not allow me to press the start button to reset it. Meaning I can push the button and hold it for the 3 seconds but it is not resetting the dishwasher. I have tried unplugging it, turning of the breaker, I even got underneath the dishwasher and unplugged it and it still will not reset. So I am not sure if because the control panel is not on correctly that it will not allow me to reset or what is going on. I don’t want to have to call a technician out if I don’t have to.
While running a cycle of dishes in my Whirlpool dishwasher from time to time, I noticed that when one of my children needed a glass they’d open the dishwasher and start it again. This last instance my son needed a cup and opened the dishwasher while it was in cycle and when he closed it back and attempted to start it again, it never started. When I noticed it, I tried to start it and none of the lights came on nor did the dishwasher start. Is there a way for me to reset my dishwasher?
Chris,
Can you tell us the part number of the Control Panel you purchased for your GE Dishwasher GDT550HGD1BB?
Is it the wrong one or you are not able to get it to install correctly even though it is the correct Panel?
-RR
I have a GE Dishwasher GDT550HGD1BB, that I broke the console control panel. I purchased a replacement but it will not go on. Not only that the dishwasher continously beeps and the lock button flashes. I tried doing a reset but it will not reset. Can anyone tell me what could possibly be wrong before I call a technician?
If you have a Whirlpool dishwasher and the board is bad, don’t waste your time looking for a replacement. They are out there but they cost more than a NEW dishwasher (in my case anyway.) $185.00. Guess they don’t want you to repair when they can make more money if you are forced to replace. Sadly, I’m used to it. When they were analog, the only things that COMMONLY went bad were the selector switch or the timer. Both were an easy, economical fix. From a manufacturer’s standpoint that couldn’t be tolerated.