Why Won’t My Dishwasher Turn On? | Houston Appliance Repair

Finding out your dishwasher has stopped working is never going to be the best part of your day, especially if you are also faced with the expense of phoning a professional as well as staying home to meet them just to diagnose the problem.

Fortunately it’s possible to determine and often resolve plenty of dishwasher faults yourself without having to call for dishwasher repair, especially if you own a multimeter.

You might discover you are able to sort out the issue quite easily alone, especially if you are good at DIY, and if you can’t at worst you will have a better idea of the issue when you do call a repair man.

Things To Do If Your Dishwasher Won’t Start

In advance of considering a replacement machine there are a number of possible issues you can identify without too much issue.

Safety Warning: Never attempt repairs while your machine is plugged in.

Routine Dishwasher Issues That Will Stop Your Machine From Turning On

In advance of going through the following list of potential faults make sure that it hasn’t been inadvertently unplugged, as well as that there are no tripped switches in the circuit breaker.

At this point you should also check that the child lock hasn’t been activated and try resetting your dishwasher.

You will most likely require the user manual for this due to the fact that machines are all different but the child lock tends to be quite easy to engage without meaning to. Similarly, the machine might have power yet will not run, in this case the answer may be as easy as resetting the program.

When you have eliminated these faults it’s time for the real troubleshooting to start.

Have a look at the door latch or door latch switch.
Check the timer.
Test the selector switch.
Test the motor relay.
Check the thermal fuse.
Test the drive motor.

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

Examining the Door Latch as well as the Door Latch Switch

The first thing to check is the door latches plus door latch switches. Your dishwasher is designed not to run if these are not working for obvious reasons. You wouldn’t want start the dishwasher without meaning to with the door open.

A defective switch will prevent your machine from starting as well as running. You should test the switch with a multimeter. The switch will usually be located behind the front door panel or control panel.

Ensure you have disconnected power to the machine before removing the door panel and testing for continuity to ensure you do not get an electric shock.

If the latches or switches are faulty you will need a replacement door latch assembly.

Checking the Timer

If you have tested your door latch as well as door latch switch and discovered they are operating correctly the next component to check is the timer or electronic control.

This is the component that sends electricity to all the different components the machine needs to operate such as the pumps, as well as the valves.

If your dishwasher is controlled electronically rather than mechanically then it could have to be tested while plugged in, this can be dangerous and should only be done by someone who is professionally trained.

Checking the Selector Switch

This is the part of your machine that selects the program , it’s style and location will vary depending on the make or model of your machine. A faulty selector switch or one that has got stuck may cause the machine not to run.

You can usually visually check to see if the buttons are going down all the way, or you may be required to disconnect the machine and gain access to the control panel to check the connections for continuity using a multimeter.

Testing the Motor Relay

The motor relay is another component that may result in your machine not starting, so this might be the fault if you have checked the control panel and so have discovered that there is power running to the main pump.

To check if this is the case you need to gain access to the motor as well as locate the relay that will usually be located next to it. This can then be taken out as well as tested with the help of a multimeter, if broken it may have to be replaced.

Checking the Thermal Fuse

If you have investigated all the above and are yet to find the fault the next part to check would be the thermal fuse. Note: Not all dishwashers 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.

Testing the Drive Motor

The final component you could check that could prevent your machine from operating is the drive motor. This is the component that circulates the water to wash your dishes.

If you have checked the other electrical components yet still haven’t discovered the issue this might be the cause of the problem 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 with the help of a multimeter and replace if faulty.

When to Contact an Engineer

Not everyone has a multimeter, or would know how to use one even if they do, in which case you will need to call a professional.

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

Don’t forget to have a look at your insurance plus your home cover as dishwasher repairs might be covered meaning the expense might be less than you were expecting.