Troubleshooting Guide: Why Your Dishwasher Won’t Start
If you have actually tried to start your dishwasher, and you have found that it will not run, you may be wondering what you need to do next. Once you get to the bottom of the problem, you’ll be able to decide what you need to do next.
Make Sure The Door Is Properly Locked
You’ll want to take a look at the door of your dishwasher and make sure that it is properly locked. If the door isn’t properly locked, then your dishwasher will not run.
If your dishwasher is loaded to the brim with dishes, then you may not be able to close it. Once you have done that, you can try to run the dishwasher again.
Check If It Is Completely Plugged In
Your dishwasher will not be able to run unless it’s connected to power. Your dishwasher will not have any type of power at all if your dishwasher’s plug has slipped out of the electrical outlet. You need to move it so that you can examine the plug if your dishwasher appears to be dead.
If your dishwasher was moved recently, that can be enough to jiggle the plug so that it is loose. Often, it will not take much time to check on your dishwasher’s plug.
Inspect the Selector Switch
Sometimes, your dishwasher may not start due to an issue with the selector switch. Your dishwasher will not turn on until after the problem has been fixed if the selector switch is unable to register the type of cycle that you want to run. You’ll want to take a closer look at the selector switch if you think this could be the cause of your trouble.
If you do want to examine your switch, you’ll want to unplug your dishwasher. If you’re not sure what things should look like, you might be able to find a diagram in the manual that came with your dishwasher.
Check the Timer
A similar problem that many people face is an issue with the timer. You should hear a clicking sound when you start a cycle on your dishwasher if your dishwasher has a manual timer. Your dishwasher may not be able to start if the dishwasher and the timer aren’t communicating.
Like the selector switch, you should be able to see the timer on the inner door panel. Remember, you must always unplug your dishwasher before you get started. You’re running the risk of electrocution if you try to examine your dishwasher when it’s still plugged in.
Review The Manual To Learn More
Your dishwasher’s user manual shouldn’t just consist of diagrams. There should be a lot of other useful details located within the manual. You’ll be able to find out even more about how your dishwasher runs and what could be causing the problem if you read through the manual.
Not all dishwasher manuals operate in the same way. If you take the time to see what the manual says, you’ll be able to get info that’s specific to your dishwasher.
When To Call For Professional Help
If you can determine what’s causing your problems, you should definitely take a closer look at your dishwasher and see. You need to also understand when to pick up the phone and call an appliance repair company for help. As a general rule, you need to call professionals whenever you run out of your comfort zone.
You don’t need to call for help if you’re dealing with a problem that has a simple solution, such as a loose plug or a dishwasher that’s overloaded. You shouldn’t touch your dishwasher’s wiring unless you have the appropriate training.
Whatever’s causing your dishwasher not to run, you’ll want to work to get to the bottom of this problem. You need to try to find out why your dishwasher isn’t running. When you have that figured out, you’ll be able to resolve this issue, whether you do it yourself or call for help.
If you suspect the issue is deeper than a simple clog, read our guide on addressing electronic control faults. For more DIY repair considerations, verify our main resource page.