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.
More about Keith →
Lou,
You may have an issue with the control board. If the power light lights up but no other buttons work, you need to either replace the board or the keypad. You will have to take it apart first to be sure.
-RR
Dimis,
If there is no power, have you made sure it is plugged in and the GFCI outlet is not tripped? If it IS getting power, try unplugging it to reset if the front panel does not get power. If you still are not getting power to the front panel of the dishwasher, you may have a bad door switch, control board, or the control panel fuse has blown. Check with a meter to be sure.
-RR
My HOOVER HLSI 500GT-S dishwasher is not switching on. I’ve verified electricity connection – is ok.
When I presses a power button nothing happens, panel is switched off.
And there is water at the dishwasher bottom from last cycle.
At last cycle dishwasher had worked a little bit more noisy than usual.
I’m also verified sink there was hairs with leavings. Maybe it was the reason of malfunction.
I do building maintenance and we have 100s of frigidaire dishwashers. I have run into a problem with many of them. Tenants call because there is no power to the dishwasher. I show up open the bottom to test for 120volts ans it has it. I then disconnect the positive wire, reconnect and it runs fine. Our appliance co and warranty co all say they have never heard of such an issue but I have done this dozens of times. It has not been associated with power outages or breaker trips. Anybody know what could be the cause? Thanks
I have a GE dishwasher with hidden controls model GLDT696TSS the power light stays on and will not go off the other buttons on the control pad do nothing now. I unplugged it for 30 minutes plugged it back in and the power light comes on and nothing else works can anyone help me out on this?
Thank you! I was trying to figure this dishwasher out, because it wouldn’t power up at all. Checked all the switches in the kitchen, and voila! It’s a really stupid idea to have a dishwasher on a switch.
Try turning off the breaker switch for 2 minutes and then turn it back on. Worked for me with different dishwasher but I am guessing they are all similarly designed.