What's Broke home

Dishwasher Has No Power: Causes & Fixes

No lights, dead display, nothing happens.

An unplugged or loose power cord is a documented cause of a dishwasher having no power at all; both Whirlpool and Samsung list checking the cord/outlet connection first.

Before you work on your dishwasher

  • Power: Unplug the dishwasher or switch off its circuit breaker before removing panels or touching wiring.
  • Water: Turn off the water supply valve before disconnecting hoses or the inlet valve.
  • Heat: Water and the heating element can be hot right after a cycle; let the dishwasher cool first.
  • Sharp debris: Wear gloves when reaching into the filter or sump; broken glass often collects there.
  • Stop: If you smell burning, see smoke or sparks, or find water near wiring, switch off the breaker and call a technician.
  • Disconnect power before accessing internal dishwasher parts: Unplug the dishwasher or switch off the circuit breaker that powers it before removing panels, the filter, or the drain pump cover, or before reaching into the sump.

Why your dishwasher has no power

  1. Tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse: A tripped circuit breaker or blown household fuse on the dishwasher's dedicated circuit is a documented cause of no power, cited by Whirlpool, GE, and Samsung alike. Difficulty 1/5.
  2. Power cord unplugged or loose: An unplugged or loose power cord is a documented cause of a dishwasher having no power at all; both Whirlpool and Samsung list checking the cord/outlet connection first. Difficulty 1/5.
  3. GFCI outlet tripped: GE documents that a dishwasher plugged into a GFCI-protected outlet with a tripped reset button will lose power until the outlet's own reset button is pressed. Difficulty 1/5.
  4. Wall switch controlling the outlet is off: On installations where the dishwasher's outlet is controlled by a wall switch (required in some areas), the switch being off will cut all power to the dishwasher, mimicking a dead unit; Whirlpool and GE both document this. Difficulty 1/5.
  5. Control/power button dirty or touched with wet hands: Samsung documents that a dirty, grimy, or wet/soapy-finger touch on the power button can prevent the control panel from responding, which can look like a total loss of power. Difficulty 1/5.
  6. Hardwired connection incorrect or incomplete: On directly wired (hardwired) dishwashers, an incorrect or incomplete connection between the dishwasher and the household wiring at installation can leave the unit with no power; Whirlpool directs owners to verify wiring was connected per the installation instructions. Difficulty 1/5.
  7. Internal noise filter or main control board failure: iFixit lists a failed noise filter (the copper coil assembly near the primary power connection, which can corrode or burn) and, less commonly, a failed main control board as internal electrical causes of no power. Difficulty 1/5.

Find the cause for your dishwasher

Before anything else: do you see water near the power cord or outlet, or smell burning or see smoke?

Step-by-step checks for a dishwasher has no power

Check the breaker or fuse

About 5 minutes

  1. Go to the household electrical panel.
  2. Look for a tripped breaker (handle in the middle or off position) or a blown fuse on the dishwasher's circuit.

Check for a tripped GFCI outlet

About 5 minutes

  1. Locate the outlet the dishwasher plugs into, or a nearby GFCI outlet on the same circuit.
  2. Look for a tripped Reset button and press it.

Check for a wall switch controlling the outlet

About 5 minutes

  1. Look around the kitchen counters and under the sink cabinet for a switch you do not normally use.
  2. Confirm it is in the on position.

Clean the control button and retry with dry hands

About 5 minutes

  1. Dry your hands completely.
  2. Wipe the power/control button with a soft, damp cloth.
  3. Press the button again.

How to fix a dishwasher has no power

Clean the control button and use dry hands

About 5 minutes · Difficulty 1/5

  1. Wipe the power/control button clean with a soft, damp cloth.
  2. Dry your hands before pressing it again.

Plug in or reseat the power cord

About 2 minutes · Difficulty 1/5

  1. Fully seat the power cord in the outlet.

Reset the tripped breaker

About 5 minutes · Difficulty 1/5

  1. Switch the tripped breaker fully off, then back on, once.
  2. If a fuse has blown, contact an electrician to replace it; do not replace fuses yourself.

Reset the GFCI outlet

About 2 minutes · Difficulty 1/5

  1. Press the Reset button on the GFCI outlet.

Turn on the wall switch

About 2 minutes · Difficulty 1/5

  1. Flip the wall switch controlling the dishwasher's outlet to on.

When to call a technician about a dishwasher has no power

  • Have a technician diagnose the noise filter or control board
  • Have a licensed electrician verify the hardwired connection

Sources

  1. Dishwasher SP.. Instruction Manual, Bosch Home Appliances US (retrieved 2026-09-18)
  2. Dishwasher SMS6HAI01A User Manual, Bosch Home Appliances US (retrieved 2026-09-18)
  3. Dishwasher - Will Not Run or Has No Power, GE Appliances (retrieved 2026-09-18)
  4. Samsung Dishwasher Will Not Power On, iFixit (retrieved 2026-09-18)
  5. Samsung dishwasher will not turn on, Samsung Electronics America (retrieved 2026-09-18)
  6. No Power - Not Turning On - Dishwasher, Whirlpool Corporation (retrieved 2026-09-18)

Last updated September 29, 2026 · facts last verified September 19, 2026 · How we source and verify

Guidance only; follow your appliance manual and local codes. If anything looks unsafe, stop and call a qualified technician. Safety disclaimer