Dishwasher Won't Start

The short answer: most dishwashers won’t run unless the door latch fully engages, so a worn latch can look like a dead control board.

Check the door, the breaker and any delay or lock setting before anything else.

What usually causes it

• Door latch not engaging. Most dishwashers won’t start unless the latch closes fully.
• Failed door switch. The control can’t tell the door is shut.
• Tripped breaker or blown thermal fuse. No power reaches the controls.
• Delay start or lock enabled. The dishwasher is waiting, not broken.
• Control board or touchpad fault. Less common, but more costly.

What you can check yourself

• Close the door firmly. Listen for the latch, and make sure no dish is blocking it.
• Check for locks. Look for a delay start, control lock or child lock. Many need a button held for a few seconds.
• Reset the breaker. Switch the dishwasher’s breaker fully off and on.
• Give it a moment. Some models wait briefly after the door closes before starting.

How to prevent it

• Close the door gently and don’t block the latch.
• Avoid slamming the door.
• Keep the controls dry and clean.

When to call a technician

Call us if:

• The door latches and the breaker is on, but nothing happens
• The panel is dark or doesn’t respond
• It starts, then stops right away

These repairs involve live voltage, gas or hidden parts, so we recommend leaving them to a professional.

Service call: $89, waived when you go ahead with the repair. Warranty: 90 days on every repair.