Iii Selector Switch Not Working Properly
The selector switch, as the name indicates, enables you to select different options for every wash cycle, be it for washing, drying, or heating. Depending on the model and make, the switch might prevent your dishwasher from starting if it is defective. Another possible reason is that it is not fully depressed or two or more buttons have been pressed simultaneously.
How to test the selector switch:
The Selector Switches Could Be Faulty
Selector switches are the ones that determine settings and wash cycles for every dishwasher load.
But if the LG dishwasher isnt working despite having power, one or all selector switches may be faulty.
You will need to buy and install new selector switches if the older ones fail the continuity test.
Dishwasher Draining But Not Filling:
So your dishwasher is not clogged but it cant be filled with water. That means that something may be wrong with the water supply. Before you take any further actions, open the tap in the kitchen sink to check the water flow. If the water flow is normal, there may be something wrong with the inlet valve.
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Test The Touchpad And Control Panel
The next step is to test the touchpad and control panel to ensure they are working correctly. If not, they may need to be replaced before your dishwasher will start working again.
Heres how to test the touchpad and control panel:
Dishwasher Not Getting Power

A lack of power is a likely reason for your LG dishwasher not starting. Without reliable access to the right amount of power, a dishwasher cant start.
The following power issues can prevent the dishwasher from turning on:
- Dishwasher isnt plugged in properly: Make sure the cord is correctly plugged into a functioning outlet. Never use an extension cord to power your dishwasher it cant safely transmit the voltage required, leading to surges that terminate power.
- Power switch is off: A dishwasher is connected to a kitchen switch, often under the kitchen sink, that must be on for it to receive power. Check the switch to make sure its in the on position.
- Tripped circuit breaker: Check your circuit breaker box and reset any tripped breakers that could cut off the dishwashers power.
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Check That The Door Is Securely Latched
If your Frigidaire dishwasher won’t start but has power, Electrolux recommend that you check for racks sticking out or dishes blocking the door. They also highlight the importance of a well-fitting, clean gasket. Food particles or detergent build up on the gasket can be enough to prevent the seal from being solid and the machine going into a safety lockdown.
Replace The Main Control Board
Your final option if you still havent found the cause of your LG dishwasher not working is to replace the main control board. The main control board is difficult to test and repair, so the best option is to just replace it completely. However, given the cost of buying a new control board and the uncertainty that replacing it will make your dishwasher work again, you might decide the better option is to purchase a new dishwasher.
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Lg Dishwasher Wont Start Just Beeps
LG dishwashers are designed to make an audible beep if something is wrong. It could be an internal error or perhaps a user error.
There are multiple sensors inside of the dishwasher that keep track of everything from the water temperature to the water level. If it detects anything is wrong, it may stop the machine from operating and make a beep to alert you to the issue.
Check each of the sensors to see if you can determine what may be causing the problem. Typical issues include debris around the sensor or the sensor being stuck in position.
If the unit is beeping periodically, such as every 30 seconds, it may mean that the door came unlatched during a cycle. It could also mean that the door switch or latch has malfunctioned.
Try pushing the door closed and if it is closed, you can check the switch and latch to see if they are operating properly. Those items can be replaced fairly easily.
At times, a button may become stuck that causes the dishwasher to beep and not operate. You may need to remove the touchpad assembly and clean it with a pencil eraser. You can also clean the contacts with a little rubbing alcohol.
Finally, doing a hard reset by turning off the power for one minute and then turning it back on can often correct the issue.
Examine Junction Box Wiring
If your dishwashers power cord doesnt plug into an electrical outlet under the sink, then the power supply is hardwired into the junction box. Check the power cord connections in the junction box. The above video shows how to follow these steps to check junction box wiring.
Note: If youre not completely confident that you can safely complete this troubleshooting procedure, then its time to schedule a service technician to diagnose and repair your dishwasher.
- Shut off the house circuit breaker for the dishwasher to disconnect electrical poweryou dont want electricity flowing to the junction box.
- Remove the dishwashers bottom front access panel and toe panel. On most dishwashers, youll need to take out the mounting screws from each side and then pull off the panels.
- Remove the screw from the junction box cover and pull off the cover.
- Check the black wire connection and the white wire connection.
Reconnect any loose or disconnected wires. Reinstall the junction box cover and then reinstall the bottom front access panel and toe panel. Restore electrical power to the dishwasher and see if the dishwasher works.
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The Door Latch Is Not Closed Properly
To begin with, make sure that the child lock isnt on. In a lot of dishwasher models there is a child lock which will prevent the device from switching on.
Read your companys manual and make sure the child lock isnt on and how t turn it off properly.
Your dishwasher will also not work if the door isnt closed properly.
The door latch assembly is responsible for preventing leakages when the dishwasher is in its cycle. In a lot of models this door also contains a switch that provides power to the control panel.
If there is some issue with the door panel, it can either be jammed or some debris might be stuck in it, the door wont be able to close properly and your appliance will not be able to start a cycle.
If you have recently moved your dishwasher, there is a possibility that the door latch might have been damaged.
Make sure that the switches on the door handle are mechanically activated when they are closed and if you have access to a millimeter you can check for continuity as well. In case there is no debris, and you cannot fix the door by yourself, most probably you will have to get the door replaced.
But it is also possible that the issue might be small and a professional might fix it without needing to replace anything.
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Iv Broken Thermal Fuse
The thermal fuse is your dishwashers safety component. Basically, it cuts off the power to the control panel when your appliance starts to overheat or if there is a short circuit in the wire. A tripped or blown thermal fuse can help stop the onset of fires, but it may also prevent your dishwasher from working properly. In this case, you have no choice but to replace your thermal fuse.
How to test the thermal fuse:
Ge Profile Dishwasher Smartdispense Clogged:

When you have a GE Profile dishwasher with smartdispense you need to be careful with the detergent you are using. If you will use the wrong one, it will get clogged and you need to purge the old detergent. In order to do that you need to disconnect the dispenser from the dishwasher. You can do that by separating the outer part from the inner part of the door by removing the screws that are holding it in place. Once you remove them, remove the screw that is supporting the dispenser in position. Disconnect the cables connected to it and rinse the dispenser in the sink as much as you can. Reconnect it the same way like it was by doing putting the screws back in reverse. This should have fixed the dispenser problem.
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Dishwasher Wont Release Soap:
When the dishwasher doesnt release soap is something you need to have a better look on. Your pots will remain dirty, so using the dishwasher would be pointless. This is a sign that the dispenser is clogged. It may be just clogged from solidified soap and salt or broken and unable to release soap which you need to replace it.
Timer Or Electric Control
If you determine that the door latch and door switch are operating correctly, look at the timer or electronic control. The first step of the cycle is to drain any standing water in the dishwasher. If you dont hear the drain running, check out the timer and electric control.
There is a manual timer in some dishwasher models that provides power at the proper sequence in the cycle. The timer supplies power to the pump motor, water inlet valve, heater circuit, and drain pump motor. Electrical contacts located inside of the timer power a small motor.
Follow these four steps using a multimeter to check the timer or electric control.
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Problems With The Timer Or Electronic Control
The timer is responsible for signaling the dishwasher when to stop or start a new cycle. It is usually located in the control panel on top of the dishwasher.
If you are sure that the door latch is not an issue, then it is very likely that the timer might not be connected properly to the control panel.
One way to guess if this is the issue is to look for a drain pump sound during the start of the wash cycle. If there is no sound, then this might be the problem.
Ill address how to test the timer in the next section as the steps for both are pretty much the same.
Check The User Interface Control Wiring
Many dishwashers have a user interface control in the control panel that connects to the electronic control board.
If the dishwasher still isnt getting power, check the user interface control wire harness. The control panel wont light up if the wire harness is disconnected.
- Shut off power to the dishwasher.
- Open the dishwasher door and remove the Torx screws from the outer edges of the inner door panel. So the outer door panel doesnt fall off, support it with one hand as you remove the final screws.
- Check the wire harness connection between the user interface control and the electronic control board.
If the user interface control wire harness is unplugged, reconnect it. Reassemble the dishwasher and restore power.
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Reset The Lg Dishwasher
One of the best ways you can deal with a malfunctioning dishwasher is by performing a reset.
LG says there are at least four ways users can reset their LG dishwashers and it will only take less than 2 minutes to get this done.
- Shut down the dishwasher by pressing the power key/button.
- Turn off the circuit breaker supplying power to the dishwasher.
- Wait for about 30 seconds or more to let the system clear errors, refresh, and reset.
- Flip the circuit breakers back on to restore, turn the unit back on, and test if the touchpad is fully functional.
Dishwasher Inlet Valve Clogged:
The inlet valve is located right after where the water supply is connected. It can get dirty and clogged at some point with you having problems with the water supply in your dishwasher. In order to fix this one, you better call a professional. It needs to be well repaired or replaced in order to be safe for you.
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A Component Is Defective/not Functional
Some dishwasher models flash lights due to a part such as a thermistor or the touchpad short circuiting .
More troubleshooting will be needed as you could even need a board .
And you can try to narrow down on the defective part by entering the diagnostic mode on your appliance if available).
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Lets now turn on to troubleshooting steps that are specific to various models .
Please dont forget to perform the general troubleshooting steps explained above before proceeding to these brand/model specific solutions.
Dishwasher Draining To Sink:

Is the dirty water from your dishwasher backing up in the sink? This is because the drain pipes are clogged. Even if the draining flow is slower than usual, the water from the dishwasher may be backing up in the sink. You need to have a look in the pipes underneath the area where the hose is connected with the drain of the sink.
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Issue With The Motor Start Relay
The start relay works in conjunction with the other internal components to provide power to the motor pump. It is usually located next to the motor pump and you can test it in a similar way to the thermal fuse.
You will have to remove the lower access panel to access it.
In Conclusion
You can diagnose most of the above issues by yourself with very little technical knowledge but if you are stuck anywhere or if you get confused then feel free to call for some professional help.
Also contact the official customer support of your company when the issue arises so it will get officially noticed.
One more thing to note is that if your product is under some kind of warranty then doing repairs by yourself can void this warranty.
Confirm this once before doing anything. Make sure you follow all safety protocols while handling your dishwasher.
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Door Latch Or Door Switch
Some of the most common issues for a dishwasher not starting involve the door latch or door switch. The purpose of the door latch is to hold the door closed during the cycle. The door latch also prevents water from leaking.
The door latch switch supplies power to the dishwasher controls. If the door cannot close properly, the door latch wont activate the door latch switch. The dishwasher controls will not receive power, and the dishwasher will not start.
Follow the steps below using a multimeter to inspect the door latch and door latch switches.
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