Troubleshoot Why Your Dishwasher Has No Power

Having a dishwasher that won't turn on due to lack of power can be endlessly frustrating. You load up the dishes, expecting sparkling clean plates in an hour, only to be met with an inert appliance. Before calling costly appliance repair services, some methodical troubleshooting of potential power issues may restore your dishwasher to working order.

We will provide guidance through systematic power diagnostics, empowering you to get your dishwasher powered up again on your own.

Ensure Dishwasher is Getting Power

First, we need to check that power is actually making it to the dishwasher itself. Several key areas should be examined.

Check Electrical Connections

Inspect where the dishwasher plugs into the wall outlet, the junction box located underneath or behind the dishwasher, and the power cord's integrity. If loose, corroded, or improperly connected wires are found, restore secure connections.

• Firmly reinsert loose plugs
• Clean corroded junction box contacts
• Replace frayed or cracked wire insulation

Investigate Electrical Source

Issues can also arise on the supply side:

• Reset tripped breakers or replace blown fuses in the home's electrical panel
• Reset outlets protected by GFCI
• Replace any damaged wall switch/outlet

Inspect Internal Wiring

Within the dishwasher itself lies additional wiring vulnerable to damage or wear:

• Reconnect any loose or disconnected wires
• Wrap or tape compromised wire insulation
• Replace wires or terminal connections showing any signs of electrical shorting or burning

Determine if Control Board Has Power

The dishwasher's control board serves as the central processor orchestrating appliance functions. Before further troubleshooting, we need to verify this vital component has power.

Locate Control Board

Typically situated in the lower front corner within a removable panel, locating this hardware first allows us to access it.

Check Control Board Fuse

Use a multimeter to test fuse continuity. If no conductivity signal, the fuse has blown and should be replaced.

Test Control Board Power Input

Consult a dishwasher wiring diagram to identify power input test points, then probe with a multimeter to check voltage. No reading indicates loss of power to the board.

Replace Control Board

Evaluate Motor and Pump Function

To complete a wash cycle, an operational motor spins the distribution arms while the circulation pump moves water. We should validate these components work.

Spin Motor Manually

First unplug power! Then rotate fan blades gently by hand, feeling for smooth rotation not blocked by debris or mechanical issues. A motor that resists manual spinning could signify various faults.

Test Motor Windings

Using a multimeter, check that continuity exists through the motor windings. An open winding circuit indicates a defective motor requiring replacement.

Inspect Motor Capacitor

Test this key starting component with a capacitance meter. Capacitors can degrade over time. If out of spec, substitute a new capacitor with equivalent microfarad rating.

Check Impeller Spins Freely

Remove lower access panel to expose pump impeller. Ensure it rotates freely without obstruction. Eliminate any debris buildup so water movement remains unimpeded.

Examine Door Switch and Locks

The dishwasher won't run with an open door or activated child safety locks. Let's investigate these areas preventing operation.

Inspect Door Latch Assembly

Latch damage can impact door sealing. After adjusting or replacing defective parts, test door switch continuity with a multimeter to confirm circuit closure with door shut.

Ensure Door Aligns Correctly

If door lacks proper alignment with tub opening, adjust mounting bracket height as needed until sealed.

Check control panel for any illuminated child lock indicators. If mistakenly activated, press and hold the lock button for 5 seconds to disable, permitting normal function.

Through step-by-step power and component checks, dishwasher operation can hopefully be restored without calling costly appliance repair services. Methodically troubleshooting power problems provides the best opportunity for resolving "dishwasher won't turn on" headaches yourself.