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 Bosch dishwasher that the program buttons seem to have all changed the 40 which should and did run for 72 mins now has 2 hours and they are all different.
Apart from this when I do put it on it doesn’t seem to actually start washing.
Lights and everything are all on just the program buttons all changed and won’t start washing.
I have a Frigidaire dishwasher for a little over 2 years.
I hear 3 little beeps, found it’s coming from my dishwasher, model:FGID2474QF0A.
I had the door ajar by accident overnight.
I can’t find anywhere the code I’m seeing on the control panel: a little line on bottom CO.
Nothing is clogged in filters.
Was there an outcome to this? I replaced the main circuit board about a month ago and was working fine and now it stopped with water not drained and is completely out.
Thanks, super helpful :) fixed my dishwasher!
Hey, I’ve had a dishwasher in my house for like 5 year. It’s never been used it’s just been there. But now I want to install it. So I read the instructions obviously. The drain is set up at required and water supply as well. The electrical was ran through the wall. It was set up to be a permanent one since it didn’t come with a plug. Yes I know I can get one myself but I had that wire through the wall n I used it. I set it up as required and when I was ready to start, nothing. The water entered but the only thing I could think of was the problem was what if the wire from the wall wasn’t connected to the panel but I thought about it and was thinking why they would do that???? Exactly they wouldn’t but idk what else it could be, any suggestion??
Thanks so much for this article, you’re a life saver! I was about to call a tech but all it was, was a tripped outlet! :) (Bosch)
I have a whirlpool dishwasher adp 952 model. The cycle lights go on but further nothing more goes on not even the start light. What can it be? Was working fine all the time.