Why Won’t My Dishwasher Turn On?

Discovering your dishwasher has stopped working isn’t a great way to start your day, particularly if you are also faced with the expense of calling out an engineer plus taking time off work to let them in just to determine the problem.

Fortunately it’s very feasible to diagnose and even resolve a number of machine issues by yourself without needing to call for dishwasher repair, especially if you happen to have a multimeter.

You may realize you can resolve the fault quite easily alone, especially if you are quite handy, and if not at least you will have a better idea of the issue when you eventually do phone a repair man.

Things To Do If Your Dishwasher Won’t Turn on

Before you begin searching for a new machine there are a few possible issues you should be able to identify without too much trouble.

Safety Warning: Always make sure your dishwasher is unplugged before attempting repairs.

Common Dishwasher Problems That Will Stop Your Machine From Starting

In advance of going through the following list of potential problems make sure that your dishwasher hasn’t been inadvertently unplugged, as well as that none of the switches on the circuit breaker have tripped.

At this point you may wish to also check that the child lock isn’t on and try resetting your machine.

You will probably need the user manual for this as machines are all different however the child lock is often fairly easy to put on accidentally. Likewise, if the dishwasher has lights but will not start, the answer might be as easy as resetting the cycle.

Once you have eliminated these issues it’s time for the real investigations to begin.

1. Investigate the door latch or door latch switch.
2. Examine the timer.
3. Test the selector switch.
4. Test the motor relay.
5. Test the thermal fuse.
6. Check the drive motor.

To examine these components you will need a multimeter, or VOM (volt-ohm-milliammeter) to test the resistance and check the components are working as they are meant to.

Examining the Door Latch as well as the Door Latch Switch

The first place to start is the door latches as well as door latch switches. Your dishwasher is designed not to run if the door latches are broken for obvious reasons. There’s no way you would want to be able to inadvertently begin the dishwasher with the door ajar.

A faulty switch will stop your dishwasher from starting plus running. You should check the switch with a multimeter. The switch will usually be found under the front door panel or control panel.

Make sure the machine is disconnected prior to taking off the door panel as well as testing for continuity to make sure you do not get an electric shock.

If you discover the latches or switches are faulty you will need to replace them.

Testing the Timer

If the latch mechanism is operating as it should the next thing to check is the timer or electronic control.

This is the component that sends power to all the different electrical components the machine needs to operate such as the pumps, as well as the water inlet valve.

If your dishwasher has an electronic control rather than a mechanical timer then it could need to be tested while plugged in, in which case you will need to call an engineer.

Testing the Selector Switch

The selector switch is the component that chooses the program and will vary contingent on the make or model of your machine. A broken selector switch or one that has got stuck could cause the machine not to run.

You can usually visually check to see if the buttons are depressing fully, or you could need to unplug the machine in order to have a look at the control panel to test the contact points for continuity with the help of a multimeter.

Checking the Motor Relay

The motor relay is an alternative part that could cause your dishwasher not to start, and this could be the problem if you have checked the control panel and thus have discovered that there is power running to the motor.

To check this you will have to find the motor as well as find the relay that will usually be mounted next to the motor. This can then be taken out and tested using a multimeter and you may have to replace it.

Examining the Thermal Fuse

Once you have checked the above issues and are yet to find the problem the next part of the dishwasher to check would be the thermal fuse. Note: Not all machines have a thermal fuse.

If you locate the fuse and discover it is blown you will need to replace it in order to restore power to the control board.

Examining the Drive Motor

The final component you can investigate that might prevent your machine from running is the drive motor. This is the part of the machine that circulates the water to wash your dishes.

If you have checked the other components yet still haven’t discovered the issue this might be the culprit particularly if you noticed a loud humming coming from the machine.

You should be able to gain access to the motor by removing the lower access panel. Check it using a multimeter and replace if faulty.

When to Contact a Repair person

If you don’t have a multimeter and are not confident in taking panels off your dishwasher and testing the parts then you will need to call an engineer sooner rather than later.

If you do have a multimeter and can perform the above checks then you might well be able to sort out the issue without needing a professional. But if you are con confident it’s always better to call in the professionals.

Don’t forget to examine your warranty plus your home cover as appliance repairs might be included which means the costs could not be as high as you think.