The dishwasher turns on by itself

There are many different types of dishwasher failures. Some are common, such as when the machine simply won't turn on, completely unresponsive to user input, won't fill with water, or shuts off mid-cycle. But even rarer is when the dishwasher turns on by itself. In this case, the dishwasher may even start the wash cycle at night, waking everyone in the house, or even start the wash when no one is home, which can have serious consequences. We'll explain why this can happen and how to fix it right now.

Why does the dishwasher turn on and off by itself?

There's usually one cause for such unusual behavior: a faulty dishwasher control module. It's important to understand that the problem isn't with the keys, but with the control board contacts and their circuits. A simple short circuit could be caused by the control module being flooded with water or any other liquid.

For example, foam from the detergent may have penetrated the dishwasher's control unit. This can happen if you're using regular household dishwashing detergent instead of a special dishwasher gel. The reason for the foam formation is that detergents for standard washing foam heavily in the dishwasher, so the foam often gets onto the control unit of the unit, which causes a short circuit.

Never use regular household chemicals in dishwashers, as this will lead to nothing good, and even if everything seems fine at first, after a few cycles problems with the appliance may emerge.

Another unpleasant cause of control module failure can be simple insects. It's not uncommon for common cockroaches to penetrate the dishwasher's interior, leaving behind their excrement. This can also cause short circuits on the dishwasher's control board.

Finally, pay attention to the dishwasher's location. If it's located in the kitchen near an oven or stovetop, not only the appliance's exterior but also its internal components may become contaminated with grease. In this case, condensed grease can damage the appliance's electronic components, including the control module.

How to fix the problem?

Regardless of the cause of the control board failure, you won't be able to repair it yourself. Without professional knowledge and experience, the risk of further damaging the component is too great. What should you do in this situation? The only solution is to contact a service center specialist who can conduct a professional diagnosis and recommend the best solution. In this case, there are only two options:

• buy a new control board;
• repair an old part.

The first option is more reliable; however, this component is considered one of the most expensive in a dishwasher, so replacing the unit can cost almost as much as a new dishwasher. The second solution is cheaper, but only a qualified technician can help you. They will accurately identify the damage to the board, resolder the contacts, replace the keys if necessary, and clean all dirt from the control board. This repair will cost several times less than a complete replacement, but in this case, there is no guarantee that the control module will not fail again after some time.

   

Readers' comments