The dishwasher won't turn on—we fix it ourselves
Although a dishwasher isn't the most complex appliance internally, it breaks down just like any other, and the variety of problems is quite impressive. Some problems are considered typical by technicians because they occur in the vast majority of cases, but others are relatively rare. For example, suppose you plugged the dishwasher's power cord into a power outlet, pressed the "On" button on the control panel, and the machine doesn't respond. Let's find out what to do in this situation.
Reasons why the dishwasher won't turn on
If your Bosch, Electrolux, Krona, or other dishwasher won't turn on, no sound is coming from any part, and no lights are on, it's logical to assume there's a problem with the power supply. At this early stage, this is practically the only reasonable assumption we can make. To determine the cause of the problem, you'll need to perform a self-diagnosis of your appliance using the diagrams provided by specialists.
Please note! If you don't want to troubleshoot the problem yourself, you can call a specialist, who will charge between $3 and $9 per call, depending on the region and city.
Start with the simple: check whether your Bosch, Electrolux, Krona, or other dishwasher is disconnected and whether there's power in the electrical system. This may sound silly, but many people call service centers to complain about a breakdown without even bothering to plug it in. Generally, experts list the following reasons why a dishwasher might not turn on.
- The power cord or socket is faulty.
- The on/off button does not work.
- The power filter burned out.
- The control unit is out of order.
This list is not exhaustive. In addition to checking the above items, you'll need to test the contacts and wiring with a multimeter. It is possible that one of the power wires located inside the dishwasher body is burnt or frayed. Due to the technical features of some dishwashers, a broken heating element may be the reason why they do not turn on. Replacing the heating element in a dishwasher Bosch, Electrolux, and Krona can be made by hand, and you can read how to do this in the article of the same name on our website.
Problems with the power cord
One of the main reasons a dishwasher won't turn on is a problem with the power cord. Our technician recently described a case. He responded to a customer's call, complaining that their brand-new dishwasher refused to turn on after moving into a new apartment. After the move, the owner had connected it himself. The problem turned out to be as follows: While connecting the dishwasher, the customer accidentally rested the unit on the power cord, causing significant pressure.
Having properly connected the drain and inlet hoses to the plumbing, he plugged it in and tried to run the dishwasher, but it didn't respond. He didn't bother checking anything after that and called a repairman. It turned out that the power cord was broken exactly where the dishwasher's body had crushed it to the floor, leaving a burnt mark on the linoleum. It might seem like a trivial cause, and you can fix it for next to nothing, but messing around with such things is very dangerous, as it could even cause a fire. Be very careful when installing electrical appliances!
You can use a multimeter to check whether the wire is broken somewhere under the insulation layer.
- We set the ohmmeter mode.
- We connect the probes to the prongs of the plug from the power cord we are interested in.
- We measure the resistance and determine whether the wire is intact or not.
Important! If you discover a short in one of the wires of the power cord, it's best to replace the entire power cord. Splices and twists are potentially dangerous and can also cause a fire.
The capacitor burned out
Power surges and other adverse operating conditions can cause the capacitor of a Bosch, Electrolux or any other dishwasher to fail, and after this, the machine, naturally, will not turn on. After you check the power cord, you need to get inside the dishwasher and check the capacitor. You need to do the following:
- remove the front panel, which is located directly under the dishwasher door;
- remove the side fastenings of the pallet;
- we lay rags on the floor in case water spills out of the car;
- open the door, unscrew the debris filter and remove the impeller;
- close the door and turn the dishwasher over, remove the tray;
Please note! The pan must be carefully disconnected, while also disconnecting the hoses and removing the wires.
- the capacitor is installed on the circulation pump, we find it;
- take a multimeter and measure the resistance;
- We disconnect the old capacitor, then buy an identical new one and install it in place of the old one.
If, after disassembling your Bosch, Electrolux, or other dishwasher, you find the capacitor is intact, check the wiring and contacts to see if there's a problem. You should check not only with a multimeter but also visually; a burnt or frayed wire will definitely show up.
There were problems with the electrical system and the control unit.
If your Bosch, Electrolux, or other dishwasher won't turn on or start, the problem may be with the control unit. Experts advise against repairing or replacing it yourself. Firstly, there's a high risk of error, and a new control unit is quite expensive. Secondly, you're unlikely to be able to accurately determine that the problem is with the control unit, and randomly replacing it is a waste of time and money, with no guarantee of success. So what should you do?
If you want to pinpoint the exact problem with your Bosch dishwasher's electrical system or control unit, contact a certified service center. A specialist at this center will definitely help you identify the problem, the timeframe, and the cost of fixing it. But be warned: sometimes the cost of repairs can be almost the same as the cost of a new dishwasher, so be prepared for this.
In conclusion, if your Bosch or other dishwasher won't start or turn on and you're unsure what to do, please refer to the information provided in this article. If you experience a more serious electrical or electronic problem, contact a professional. Do-it-yourself repairs could make the problem worse.
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Dishwasher
Hello! We've connected everything, but the dishwasher isn't working. Could you tell me what to do? We added salt and water. Now everything inside could be corroded. SOS!
What kind of "expert" wrote this? Who measures the resistance of a capacitor?
I agree with you! I had a laugh too. I wonder why they didn't write how many ohms it is? 😉 Oh, right! Resistance really does depend on microfarads 🙂
Capacitors were previously tested with a standard ohmmeter. When the wires were connected, the ohmmeter jumped to zero, then rose to infinity as the capacitor charged.
Bosch dishwasher. When turned on, the indicators are off, but the dishwasher operation light comes on. When closing the door, there's a clicking sound, but the program doesn't start. When opening the door and turning off, the program timer lights up for 1-2 seconds.
A similar situation
Gorenje built-in dishwasher, 60mm, manufactured in 2016. The dishwasher won't start, won't drain or fill, and the indicator lights are on.
I took it completely apart, checked the aquastop and water valve—everything works. The machine just won't start the program.
In the end, it turned out that by some miracle the lock had risen a little higher, and the button that signals the door to close simply didn’t reach the pin... I just bent it a little with force and that’s it 🙂 Maybe this will help someone (the button that signals the door to close is on the door itself, not on the lock).
Thank you, Dmitry, you kind person! I took your advice and stopped washing dishes by hand!
I have a question. I have a Continent dishwasher. The control panel where the on/off button and program selection are doesn't light up. The machine runs and washes, but I randomly select the program. Is it worth repairing? Or can I do it myself, as the warranty is out. Thank you.
Hello. I have an Ariston LST53977. After plugging it in, there was no sound or indicator light. Nothing at all! I checked the wires, and everything is fine. Power is reaching the control unit!
Good evening, I can't turn on my Bosch dishwasher. The snowflake light is on. The time isn't showing.
I can't turn on my Bosch dishwasher. The snowflake light is on and the time isn't displayed. What should I do?
The tap is on and there's no response. Bosch washing machine.
Hello, I have a Bosch dishwasher. Everything lights up correctly, but the wash program won't start. We've checked everything, but it's still not working. It's brand new, and the program only started three times. And then that's it.