My dishwasher won't start: what you can do to get it running

You loaded up the dishwasher, filled it with detergent, pressed start and...nothing. Is it time to call an appliance repair technician, or worse, buy a new dishwasher? Not necessarily.

Common causes for dishwashers failing to start include a fault in the power source, an incompletely closed door or a needed manual reset.

1. Start by checking if any of the lights on the control panel are lit. If not, it's likely a power problem.
2. Unplug the dishwasher and plug something else into the outlet, such as a small lamp. If the lamp works, it is probably the dishwasher and not the power source. Plug the dishwasher back in and see if it works.
3. If the lights on the control panel work but the dishwasher doesn't, it could be the door simply did not close properly. Open the washer, check for any items that could be impeding the door, close the door again and see if it works.

When these steps fail, check your owner's manual.

• Most modern dishwashers have a manual feature that resets the dishwasher's timer, a step that will often start the washer when other fixes fail.
• The most common cause for needing a manual reset is when the previous wash cycle was somehow disrupted and the dishwasher gets stuck thinking it isn't finished yet.

Handy homeowners might wish to check a few simple-to-install parts and attempt the repair themselves.

• The most common parts that fail, causing a dishwasher not to start are the door switch or latch, thermal fuse, control board, touchpad and timer.

If you aren't comfortable with making repairs yourself, you will need to contact an appliance repair technician.

• Check to see if the dishwasher is still under warranty.
• If so, you will need to contact an appliance repair technician who is certified to perform warranty work on your brand of dishwasher.

If the dishwasher is no longer under warranty, you'll need to make the decision to repair or replace the machine.

Repair

With a relatively young unit in otherwise good condition, repair is usually your best option.

Replace

It's usually more cost effective to replace an older unit with lots of wear and tear than to invest in repairs.

Look for an appliance repair technician who is licensed and insured and willing to stand behind the work. Never try to save money with a fly-by-night repair tech who might not be around to make good on promises.