When the dishwasher breaks down, it’s never a good time. Of course, the issue will arise if the appliance is full of filthy dishes or if you are renovating your kitchen. Take some time to troubleshoot before calling a plumber or appliance repair specialist. Perhaps it’s a simple fix that you can do yourself, or perhaps you’ll need to hire a professional. In any case, if your dishwasher won’t start, it’s a good idea to conduct some preliminary research before making a decision.
We learned more about Kenmore dishwasher troubleshooting and decided to make a list of ten ways to troubleshoot your dishwasher.
Table of Contents
1. Examine the Power Source
The power source could be the issue if the dishwasher won’t perform anything at all. Make sure the circuit breaker is turned off. If it has tripped, turn the switch to “off” and then back on. Check that the appliance is correctly hooked into its wall outlet. This may necessitate removing the appliance from behind the counter. Remove the under-counter retainer clips that hold the device in place before attempting to relocate it.
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Examine the Latch on the Door
The switch prevents the dishwasher from starting if the door latch is not engaged. When you close the door, listen to the sound of the latch clicking. Pull the door when it is closed to see if it is securely shut. Examine both sides of the latch for anything that might be preventing it from engaging properly, as well as any broken parts. If the latch is damaged, it’s possible that the switch is as well.
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Make sure the child safety lock is turned on.
To prevent children from accessing the dishwasher or changing the cycle settings, most dishwashers have a child lock option. The device will not run in most circumstances if the kid lock is activated. Activating and deactivating the lock is usually as simple as pushing and holding a button for three seconds or something similar. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for the kid safety lock if your dishwasher won’t start or the door won’t open.
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Dishwasher mode blocked
It’s possible that the dishwasher is stuck between cycles if you pause the wash cycle, and it won’t resume. When this happens, the lights flash occasionally, but other times nothing happens at all. Turn the power on and off again. If it doesn’t work, see the dishwasher’s owner’s manual for advice on how to reset it. You may need to press and hold the start button for a minute or two or disconnect the machine. You’ll be able to start a fresh wash cycle after restarting.
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Before disassembling the dishwasher, turn off the power.
Internal components can fail and need to be replaced on occasion. You may be able to repair the broken dishwasher yourself if you are a skilled DIYer, but make sure to disconnect the machine from the power source before opening it to work on it. Internal components should be tested with a multimeter. To ensure that you are testing the correct terminals, obtain a wiring diagram for your dishwasher model.
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Check the Door Latch Switch
To get to the door latch assembly at the top of the door, remove the inner door panel. When the latch is installed in the latch assembly, make sure it engages the door latch switch. If everything looks to be in working order, check the switches for continuity with a multimeter. Touch the switch terminals with pliers, setting the multimeter to Rx1. The reading should be zero or close to it. Replace the door latch assembly if the reading is different.
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Test the Timer
The start and stop times of the wash cycle are controlled by the dishwasher timer. It’s usually on the control panel, although on some models, it’s hidden under the bottom kick plate. To determine which contacts to test, consult your wiring diagram. Touch the contacts with the probes when the multimeter is set to Rx1000. Expected values, which range from 2000 to 3500 ohms, can be found in your owner’s handbook. If your readings don’t match the manufacturer’s guidelines, replace the timer.
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Test the Selector Switch
The wash cycle settings for each load are determined by selector switches. Normally, they are found on the control panel. Each button should be tested separately. Take the switch out of the panel. Touch the probes to the switch terminals with the multimeter set to Rx1. It should result in an infinity reading. Then click the button while the probes are still touching the terminals. This should result in a zero reading. If you receive any different readings, replace the selection switch.
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Check the Motor Start Relay
The dishwasher motor is started by the motor start relay. It should be near the pump, behind the dishwasher’s lower access panel. Refer to the wiring schematic after removing the relay. Check the coil for continuity with the multimeter set to Rx1. It should result in a zero reading.
Turn the relay upside down and let the plunger to descend to manually activate it. Make contact with the relay terminals with the probes. A reading of 0 is to be expected. Replace the motor start relay if your readings disagree.
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Test the Thermal Fuse
The thermal fuse protects electrical components from harm caused by overheating. If it blows, the dishwasher will be turned off. The thermal fuse is located behind the inner door on the control board. To test the fuse, disconnect the two connected wires and remove them from the control panel. Set the multimeter to Rx1 and place the probes against the fuse’s contacts. This should result in a zero reading. If you obtain any different reading, replace the thermal fuse.
