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 →
Karl,
If the plug and cord got fried from getting wet, this may have fried the control board in the dishwasher. Can you open the dishwasher panel up and have a look at the control board? There is a fuse in the panel area and this may have fried also. Have a look inside the panel as you may find an obvious sign of damage.
-RR
Hi, yesterday my Bosch dishwasher SMS40C12GB made 2 large electrical crackling noises before blowing the fuse. When i pulled it out i found that it had been leaking from the hose for some time, the plug had got wet and burnt out!! I replaced the hose, and fitted a new power cable as it had burnt the earth cable out. But still no power do you think it has burnt the whole circuit?? Need help.
Jasper,
You can find out if your dishwasher will not start by testing the fuse with a meter first. If the fuse is bad then replace the fuse. If the fuse is good, then you may have a control board issue. Usually you will see a burn or scorch mark on the control board, but it may not be that obvious. If you have ruled out EVERYTHING else that could be causing your dishwasher to not start, and the control board is the last probable part, then replace the whole control board.
-RR
How do you know if it is a problem with a fuse or if it is a problem with a whole control board?
We had the same issue with our Dishwasher. I thought maybe it was the control lock button being pressed or tripped somehow. It worked fine for a while, then it seems like there is no power getting to it. Works after I cut power to it for 20 secs or so. Thought there may be a safety mechanism if it heats up or a gfic built in as it is direct wired. If you ever find out what is happening let me know.
Maria Chiara,
Is there a certain pattern of the lights flashing on your Bosch dishwasher? Do the lights blink a certain number of times, then pause, and flash again? Can you count the number of flashes between the pause? If there is no pattern and the dishwasher just flashes, try unplugging the dishwasher for 5 minutes and then plug back in to see if that clears it. If not try holding the cleaning button that is flashing for 15 seconds to reset.
-RR
I have problems with my Bosch dishwasher (SMV50E00GB). It is on but doesn’t work. In addition, the cleaning display is flashing, I tried to reset the appliance, but it doesn’t work, it is still flashing.
I don’t know if the two things are linked. Can you help me?