Reasons Why Your Maytag Dishwasher Wont Start
A dishwasher that wont start leaves plenty of time to ponder the problem as you hand wash every dish. Why wont my Maytag dishwasher start? A power issue may be responsible, preventing the dishwasher from turning on. Troubleshoot the most likely reasons your Maytag dishwasher wont start and cut down your kitchen time with the right solutions.
Dishwasher Power Supply Problem
If your LG dishwasher wont turn on and the control panel doesnt illuminate, it may not be receiving power. Without adequate electricity, a dishwasher wont start or perform any other function.
Heres how to troubleshoot power supply problems:
- Inspect the power cord: Make sure its damage-free and completely plugged into a functioning outlet.
- Check the switch: Most dishwashers are connected to a kitchen switch that must be on for it to receive power. Locate the switch, checking under the kitchen sink if necessary, and ensure its in the on position.
- Reset tripped breakers: Check your homes circuit breaker box and reset any tripped breakers that may have shut down power.
Electronic Timer Is Faulty
If your dishwasher still doesnt start on command, its possible that its electronic timer is faulty. A dishwashers timer governs when power is sent to a particular function of the wash cycle. If you find your dishwasher not draining water properly or not starting as it should, its possible the timer or its connection to the control panel has failed.
A faulty timer should be assessed and replaced by a professional repair service.
Whether youre wondering how to clean a dishwasher or how to get it to start, the team at Solar Appliance can help. Call us for expert advice or to schedule a dishwasher repair!
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Turn Off The Power Before Disassembling The Dishwasher
Sometimes internal components malfunction and need to be replaced. If you are an experienced DIYer, you may be able to repair the broken dishwasher yourself, but before opening the machine to work on it, be sure to disconnect it from the power source. Use a multimeter to test internal components. Obtain a wiring diagram for your dishwasher model to ensure that you are testing the correct terminals.
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When To Get In Touch With A Professional
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 a professional sooner rather than later.
If you do have a multimeter and can perform the above checks then you might well be able to fix the fault without assistance. Yet if you are con confident its always better to call in the professionals.
Plus examine your warranty and your home cover as dishwasher repairs may be included and so the costs may not be as high as you think.
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Dishwasher Wont Start Troubleshoot In 9 Steps
If your dishwasher wont start, save time and money by troubleshooting it before calling a professional. Repairing a dishwasher isnt as difficult as it might seem and can be done even if you arent particularly handy. Use this guide to help you troubleshoot major parts of a dishwasher and determine when professional help is necessary.
Testing The Door Latch And Door Latch Switch
The first place to start is the door latches and door latch switches. Your machine is designed not to operate if the door latches are not working for obvious reasons. Theres no way you would want begin the machine without meaning to with the door ajar.
A defective switch will stop your machine from starting as well as running. You can test the switch with a multimeter. The switch will usually be located under the front door panel or control panel.
Ensure the dishwasher is disconnected prior to accessing the door panel and testing for continuity to make sure you do not get an electric shock.
If the latches or switches are not working you will need to replace them.
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When To Get In Touch With An Engineer
If you dont have a multimeter and are not confident in taking panels off your dishwasher and checking the electrical components then you will need to call a repair person sooner rather than later.
If you are happy to undertake the above checks then you might well be able to resolve the fault without needing a professional. But if you are con confident it might be easier to contact an engineer.
And have a look at your warranty and your home cover as appliance repairs may be included and so the expense may not be as high as you think.
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Check The Dishwasher Power Cord
Some dishwashers have a power cord that plugs into an electrical outlet under the sink, while other dishwasher power cords are wired directly from the wall to the wires in the dishwashers junction box. If your dishwasher power cord plugs into an electrical outlet, make sure the power cord is plugged in.
If the power cord is plugged in, its possible the electrical outlet doesnt work. Check the electrical outlet for power by plugging in a small lamp. If it doesnt light up, have an electrician repair the bad outlet.
Heres a helpful troubleshooting video that shows this step and additional troubleshooting steps to take when your dishwasher has now power.
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Schedule A Service Technician To Repair The Dishwasher
If the dishwasher still doesnt power up, then a blown fuse, defective user interface control, a failed electronic control board or a broken wire could be preventing the dishwasher from getting power. Have a Sears service technician examine and repair the dishwasher.
Youll likely see the technician perform the initial troubleshooting steps described above. Additional diagnosis requires live voltage checks, which only should be performed by a service technician with the proper training.
Schedule a repair
Check The Door Switch
If the latch is latching correctly, the door switch may have an electrical fault. The door switch allows power to the dishwasher only if the door is properly closed. Sometimes the door switch will come loose, or water can get in and damage it.
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Checking The Door Latch As Well As The Door Latch Switch
The initial thing to check is the door latches plus door latch switches. Your dishwasher is designed not to start if the door latches are broken for understandable reasons. You wouldnt want to be able to accidentally start the dishwasher with the door ajar.
A broken switch will stop your dishwasher from starting and operating. You can test the switch with a multimeter. The switch is generally found under the front door panel or control panel.
Make sure you have disconnected power to the machine before taking off the door panel and testing for continuity to prevent yourself from getting an electric shock.
If you discover the latches or switches are not working you will need a replacement door latch assembly.
Everyday Dishwasher Issues That Will Prevent Your Dishwasher From Starting
In advance of going through the following list of possible problems ensure that your dishwasher hasnt been inadvertently unplugged, and that there are no tripped switches in the circuit breaker.
This is also an opportune moment to see if the child lock isnt on and try resetting your machine.
You will probably need the manual to do this due to the fact that models are all different but the child lock is often fairly simple to put on inadvertently. Similarly, if the machine has lights but will not run, the answer could be as easy as resetting the cycle.
Once you have ruled out these issues its time for the real investigations to begin.
To examine these electrical components you will have to have a multimeter, or VOM to test the resistance as well as check the parts are operating as they are meant to.
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Testing The Drive Motor
The final part of the dishwasher you could check that might 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.
Once you have tested the other components yet still havent discovered the issue this could be the cause of the problem especially if you noticed a loud humming coming from the machine.
You should be able to access the motor by removing the panel at the bottom of the machine. Test it with the help of a multimeter and replace if broken.
Test The Motor Start Relay
The motor start relay signals the dishwasher motor to start. Locate it near the pump, behind the lower access panel of the dishwasher. Remove the relay and refer to the wiring diagram. With the multimeter set on Rx1, test the coil for continuity. It should produce a reading of zero.
Then, manually activate the relay by turning it upside down, and allowing the plunger to drop. Touch the probes to the relay terminals. Expect a reading of zero. If your readings differ, replace the motor start relay.
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When To Contact A Repair Person
If you dont have a multimeter and are not confident in taking panels off your machine and checking the electrical components then you will be better off calling a repair person sooner rather than later.
If you do have a multimeter and can perform the above tests then you might well be able to resolve the issue without assistance. Yet if you are unsure its always better to call in the professionals.
Dont forget to check your warranty as well as your home cover as appliance repairs may be included and so the expense might be less than you were expecting.
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Has A Delay Wash Option Been Selected
A delay wash option runs the dishwasher at a later time or during off-peak electrical hours. If the delay wash has been selected, the dishwasher will not run until the delay time is reached.
To Turn Off the Delay Wash Feature:
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Testing The Motor Relay
The motor relay is another part that may cause your machine not to run, and this might be the problem if you have checked the control panel and so have ascertained that there should be power going to the main pump.
To check this you need to gain access to the motor plus find the relay that will usually be located next to the motor. This may then be taken out as well as checked with the help of a multimeter and you may have to replace it.
Use The Reset Feature To Fix A Computer Error
Many modern machines have a specific reset process, unfortunately, this varies across models:
If your Bosch dishwasher won’t start but has power, try pressing the cancel buttons simultaneously and holding them down for 10 seconds.
When you have a Whirlpool dishwasher with lights on but it won’t start, you need to open the door and press the combination ‘heated dry, normal, heated dry, normal. You need to press the two buttons alternately, twice within 3 seconds of pressing the first button for the first time. Then close the door.
If you have another model, for instance, a Samsung dishwasher that won’t start but has power, check your owners manual for reset codes.
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Touchpad And Control Panel
If the power isnt the cause of the problem, the next components to check are the touchpad and control panel.
The easiest way to check if the touchpad and control panel are working is to:
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:
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Common Dishwasher Problems That Will Stop Your Dishwasher From Turning On
In advance of going through the following list of possible faults ensure that your dishwasher hasnt been inadvertently unplugged, plus that there are no tripped switches in the circuit breaker.
This is also an opportune moment to check if the child lock isnt on plus try resetting your machine.
You will most likely require the user manual for this due to the fact that machines are all different but the child lock is usually quite simple to activate accidentally. Likewise, if the dishwasher has lights however will not run, the solution might be as easy as resetting the cycle.
Once you have ruled out these problems you can start the real troubleshooting.
To test these electrical components you will have to have a multimeter, or VOM to measure the resistance plus check the parts are operating as they should.
Testing The Thermal Fuse
When you have investigated the above issues and are yet to find the fault the next part of the dishwasher to test is the thermal fuse. This may or may not be present and is designed to stop the control board overheating.
If the fuse is blown it will need to be replaced in order to restore power to the control board.
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Examining The Door Latch And Door Latch Switch
The first thing to check is the door latches as well as door latch switches. Your machine is designed not to start if these are not working for obvious reasons. You wouldnt want to be able to inadvertently begin the machine with the door ajar.
A defective switch will stop your machine from turning on plus running. You can check the switch with a multimeter. The switch will usually be found under the front door panel or control panel.
Double check you have disconnected power to the machine prior to accessing the door panel plus checking for continuity to make sure you do not get an electric shock.
If you discover the latches or switches are faulty you will need a replacement door latch assembly.
It Could Be A Heater Element Issue
Your dishwasher is a finely tuned machine. Each cycle is activated by the cycle before it, so if the water isn’t heating to the proper temperature, it will be stuck in the heating stage and never switch to the washing stage. If this happens or you notice undissolved detergent, you may have a problem with your heater element.
- As above, disconnect the power source.
- The thick metal rod located at the bottom of your dishwasher is the heating element. Though they it look different depending on who manufactures your dishwasher, the heating element will look something like this:
- To access the wires connecting the part to the machine, remove the lower front panel of the dishwasher.
- Remove the wire connectors and label where they came from with tape.
- With your multimeter on X1, check the terminals. A properly functioning heater element will read between 0 and infinity.
- If not, remove the lock nut holding it in place Lift the element up and out. Replace with a new heater element, reconnect the wires and power.
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Check The Power Source
Youve probably already done this, but before you start checking any of the more complicated potential causes of your dishwasher not starting, you should start by checking the power source.
Heres how to check the power source: