Why Won’t My Dishwasher Turn On?

Discovering your dishwasher isn’t working isn’t a fun way to start your day, particularly if you are also faced with the cost of phoning an engineer as well as staying home to let them in just to determine the problem.

The good news is it’s possible to pinpoint and even resolve plenty of dishwasher issues alone without needing to call for dishwasher repair, particularly if you happen to are able to find a multimeter.

You could find you are able to sort out the problem quite easily by yourself, especially if you are quite handy, and if not at worst you will have a better idea of the problem when you do phone an engineer.

Things To Do If Your Dishwasher Won’t Turn on

Before you start searching for a new dishwasher there are a few possible issues you can troubleshoot without too much trouble.

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

Everyday Dishwasher Faults That Will Prevent Your Dishwasher From Starting

In advance of going through the following list of possible faults ensure that your machine hasn’t been inadvertently switched off, plus that none of the switches on the circuit breaker have tripped.

This is also an opportune moment to check if the child lock hasn’t been activated plus try resetting your dishwasher.

You will most likely need the user manual to do this due to the fact that machines vary however the child lock tends to be fairly simple to activate inadvertently. Likewise, if the machine has lights but will not run, the solution may be as simple as resetting the cycle.

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

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

To check these components you will have to have a multimeter, or VOM (volt-ohm-milliammeter) to measure the resistance and test the electrical components are operating as they should.

Testing the Door Latch as well as the Door Latch Switch

The initial thing to test is the door latches plus door latch switches. Your machine is designed not to start if the door latches are not working for understandable reasons. You wouldn’t want begin the dishwasher without meaning to with the door open.

A broken switch will prevent your dishwasher from turning on plus operating. You should check the switch using a multimeter. The switch is generally found under the front door panel or control panel.

Double check the dishwasher is unplugged prior to accessing the door panel plus testing for continuity to ensure you do not get an electric shock.

If you discover the latches or switches are broken 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 part of the machine that sends power to all the different components the machine requires to operate such as the pumps, plus the valves.

If your machine has an electronic control rather than a mechanical timer then it might have to be checked while plugged in, in which case you will need to call an engineer.

Checking the Selector Switch

The selector switch is the part of the dishwasher that selects the cycle and will vary contingent on the make and model of your machine. A not working selector switch or one that has got stuck might cause the machine not to turn on.

You should be able to visually check to see if the buttons are going down all the way, or you might have to disconnect the dishwasher in order to gain access to the control panel to test the connections for continuity with the help of a multimeter.

Testing the Motor Relay

The motor relay is an alternative part that could cause your dishwasher not to run, and this might be the issue if you have checked the control panel and so have ascertained that there should be power running to the main pump.

To test if this is the case you will have to locate the motor plus locate the relay that should be mounted next to it. This could then be taken out and checked using a multimeter and you may have to replace it.

Checking the Thermal Fuse

Once you have checked the above issues and are still looking for the issue the next part to test would be the thermal fuse. This will only be found on some models and is designed to stop the control board overheating.

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

Examining the Drive Motor

The final part of the dishwasher you should be able to investigate that could prevent your machine from running is the drive motor. This is the part of the machine that moves the water around to wash your dishes.

If you have tested the other parts and still haven’t discovered the issue this might be the culprit especially if you noticed a loud humming coming from the machine.

You should be able to locate the motor by taking off the panel at the bottom of the machine. Test it by using a multimeter then replace if faulty.

When to Contact a Repair person

Not everyone has a multimeter, or would know how to use one even if they do, in which case you will be better off calling an engineer sooner rather than later.

If you do have a multimeter and can perform the above tests then you might well be able to sort out the problem without needing a professional. But if you are con confident it might be easier to contact an engineer.

Don’t forget to have a look at your warranty and your home cover as appliance repairs may be covered which means the costs might not be as high as you think.