Dishwasher Won’t Start
If your dishwasher won’t start, the issue could be with the door latch, water valve, or control boards. A faulty door latch may prevent the dishwasher from detecting that the door is closed, while a malfunctioning water valve can stop water from entering the machine. Power surges can damage the control boards, leading to failure to start. Our technicians can diagnose the problem and make the necessary repairs to get your dishwasher running again. Learn more about our dishwasher repair services:
Main Issues When Dishwasher Won’t Start
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Description and Troubleshooting of Problems
Door Lock Is Not Working
The most common issue when a dishwasher won’t start is a problem with the door latch. This is the key component that allows the dishwasher to begin its cycle. If the door latch doesn’t properly signal that the door is closed, the dishwasher will think the door is still open, even if it’s fully shut. The door latch works by locking in place when the door is closed and sending a signal to the control board to proceed with the next step. If the latch contacts are worn out or the mechanism itself is damaged, the dishwasher won’t recognize that the door is securely closed and won’t start the wash cycle.
You can check this by turning on the dishwasher, selecting a wash cycle, and pressing the start button (some models don’t have a start button and begin the cycle automatically when the door is closed). Once the door is closed, the dishwasher should stop blinking and switch to a steady light, indicating the cycle has started. If this doesn’t happen, the door latch is likely not working properly.
Additionally, many dishwashers have an indicator light near the bottom that turns on during a wash cycle. If the light isn’t coming on, it could also mean the door latch isn’t functioning correctly.

Water Valve Is Not Working
The next component that needs to function after the door latch is the water pump, which fills the dishwasher with water. It can encounter problems such as blockages, lack of water supply, or mechanical failure. A common issue with water pumps is dirty or hard water, which can cause buildup and debris. This buildup can clog the pump, block the filter, or jam the internal valve. If this happens, the pump may stop working, depending on how quickly the issue is identified and addressed.
If caught early, the pump can often be saved by cleaning and flushing out the buildup, allowing it to continue functioning. However, if the problem is ignored for an extended period, the pump can overheat and fail completely. Regular maintenance and timely repairs can help prevent this from happening.

Faulty User Control Board or Control Board
This is also a very common issue, usually occurring after power surges, sudden power outages, storms, or strong winds, especially when the dishwasher is running. When troubleshooting, the technician should first check if power is being supplied to both the control board and the user board, then check if voltage is reaching the water valve and drain pump. If there’s no power, the problem lies with one of the two boards.
To determine which board is faulty, the technician will use a diagram to check if voltage is being sent from the main control board to the user control board. After this, they can easily make a conclusion. Occasionally, both boards may be faulty, but this is a rare occurrence.

Power Supply Issue
This is also a common issue. In most dishwasher models, wire twisting is used for connections. If the installation is done incorrectly or the contact is poor, the wires can burn or disconnect. As a result, your dishwasher might still partially work — lights may turn on, and it may respond to the wash cycle selection but not start.
This happens because, with a poor connection, the dishwasher may receive only 80 volts instead of the required 120 volts. As a result, some components work, but it doesn’t have enough power to start the motors.

Repair Cost
Door lock repairing or replacing | $320-$380 |
Water valve cleaning or replacing | $280-$360 |
User control board or control board replacing | $320-$390 |
Wiring or terminals replacing or repairing | $200-$250 |
The price to repair a dishwasher varies based on its brand, model, and the complexity of the issue.
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Teodor Appliance Repair delivers exceptional appliance repair services across Florida. Renowned for our dependability and dedication to excellence, we handle a broad spectrum of appliance maintenance. Our technicians are adept at diagnosing and fixing problems with refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, ovens, and more. For convenient location access, check us out on Google Maps using these links: