Why Your Dishwasher Won’t Start: Quick Fixes

HomelySolve
4 min readMay 29, 2024

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Dishwasher Won’t Start

Ever had one of those days when your dishwasher goes on strike? I remember when mine did, and suddenly, dish duty was all hands on deck. As an appliance repair expert, I’ve fixed dishwashers for myself, my neighbors, and many clients.

In this article, I’ll show you how to get your dishwasher back in action. So, grab your toolkit and let’s dive in! Your clean dishes are just a fix away!

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Power Supply Issues

If your dishwasher won’t turn on, the power supply might be the culprit. This is a common issue that can often be fixed easily.

Common Causes

  • Unplugged power cord
  • Tripped circuit breaker
  • Faulty electrical outlet

Solution

  1. Check if the dishwasher is plugged in.
  2. Reset the circuit breaker.
  3. Test the outlet with another appliance.

One morning, my Bosch dishwasher refused to start. I was in a hurry and panicked, thinking of all the dirty dishes piling up. After a quick check, I realized the power cord was unplugged. Plugging it back in saved my day and my sanity!

Door Latch Problems

A dishwasher won’t start if the door latch isn’t working properly. This is a safety feature to prevent leaks and accidents.

Common Causes

  • Misaligned door
  • Broken latch mechanism
  • Worn-out door gasket

Solution

  1. Ensure the door closes properly.
  2. Replace the latch if it’s broken.
  3. Check and replace the door gasket if necessary.

My neighbor, Mrs. Johnson, called me in a panic about her Miele dishwasher. It wasn’t turning on, and she was hosting a dinner party that night. A quick look revealed the door wasn’t latching properly. After a small adjustment, her dishwasher was back in action, and her party went off without a hitch.

Control Panel Malfunctions

Sometimes, the control panel might be the reason your dishwasher won’t start. This can be tricky but is often fixable.

Common Causes

  • Defective buttons
  • Electrical glitches
  • Faulty wiring

Solution

  1. Reset the control panel by unplugging the dishwasher for a few minutes.
  2. If the problem persists, you might need to replace the control panel.

My friend Sarah’s Café dishwasher was acting up. The buttons wouldn’t respond, and she was at her wit’s end. I suggested resetting the control panel, and voila! After resetting GE dishwasher worked like magic. Sarah was so relieved she treated me to a nice cup of coffee.

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Faulty Door Switch

A faulty door switch can prevent your dishwasher from starting. This small component is essential for the operation of your appliance.

Common Causes

  • Worn-out switch
  • Loose connections
  • Mechanical failure

Solution

  1. Inspect the door switch for wear and tear.
  2. Replace any loose or damaged connections.
  3. If the switch is broken, replace it.

My own GE dishwasher wouldn’t turn on one evening. After some troubleshooting, I found the door switch was faulty. Replacing it was a quick fix, and soon enough, my dishwasher was back to doing what it does best — making my life easier.

Tripped Thermal Fuse

The thermal fuse protects your dishwasher from overheating. If it trips, your dishwasher won’t start.

Common Causes

  • Overheating
  • Power surges
  • Old or faulty fuse

Solution

  1. Check the fuse with a multimeter.
  2. Replace the fuse if it’s blown.
  3. Ensure proper ventilation around the dishwasher.

A client once called me about their Beko dishwasher. It wouldn’t turn on, and they were frustrated. I found that the thermal fuse had tripped. After replacing it, their dishwasher was as good as new. They were thrilled and gave me a glowing review.

Water Supply Problems

If your dishwasher stopped filling with water, it won’t be able to clean your dishes. This can be a frustrating issue.

Common Causes

  • Clogged water inlet valve
  • Kinked water supply hose
  • Low water pressure

Solution

  1. Check the water inlet valve for clogs.
  2. Ensure the water supply hose isn’t kinked.
  3. Test the water pressure in your home.

My cousin’s GE dishwasher stopped filling with water one day. He was about to call a professional, but I suggested checking the water inlet valve first. It turned out to be clogged. After cleaning it, the dishwasher filled up and worked perfectly. My cousin was amazed at how simple the fix was.

Don’t wait — get your dishwasher running smoothly again with these easy solutions! For emergency cases call: 1–800–626–2005 ( Monday — Friday: 8 a.m. — 7 p.m. ET Saturday — Sunday: Closed )

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HomelySolve

Passionate about homely solutions, ideas, hacks, and product. With 4 years of experience, we specialize in sharing practical Home Improvement tips .