Dishwasher Won't Start: Causes & Fixes
The dishwasher door not being fully closed and latched, or something obstructing it (trim, insulation, the cabinet or countertop, an incompletely pushed-in rack, or a pan handle), prevents the door switch from signalling the dishwasher is ready to run; documented by Whirlpool, GE, and Bosch.
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.
- Shut off the water supply before disconnecting hoses: Turn off the water supply before disconnecting the drain hose, siphon connection, or water inlet, or before pulling the dishwasher out for service.
Why your dishwasher won't start
- Door not fully closed/latched or obstructed: The dishwasher door not being fully closed and latched, or something obstructing it (trim, insulation, the cabinet or countertop, an incompletely pushed-in rack, or a pan handle), prevents the door switch from signalling the dishwasher is ready to run; documented by Whirlpool, GE, and Bosch. Difficulty 1/5.
- No power to the dishwasher / tripped breaker: No power reaching the dishwasher because of a tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse is a leading cause of a dishwasher that won't start at all, documented by Whirlpool, Samsung, GE, and Bosch. Difficulty 1/5.
- Control lock (child lock) enabled: An enabled control lock (child lock) feature makes the keypad unresponsive to cycle selection or Start; Whirlpool, GE, and Bosch all document this as a common reason nothing happens when buttons are pressed. Difficulty 1/5.
- Delay Start/Delay Wash active: An active Delay Start/Delay Wash setting makes the dishwasher wait rather than run immediately, which can look like it 'won't start'; documented by Whirlpool and GE. Difficulty 1/5.
- Dedicated wall switch left off: In newer homes, a dedicated wall switch (like a light switch) near the dishwasher controls its power; if left off, the dishwasher will not start. Samsung and GE both document checking this switch. Difficulty 1/5.
- GFCI outlet supplying the dishwasher is tripped: A tripped GFCI (ground-fault) outlet that supplies the dishwasher will cut power even though the home's breaker looks fine; GE documents checking and resetting this outlet. Difficulty 1/5.
- Wet, soapy, or dirty control buttons unresponsive: Wet or soapy hands, or dirt and debris accumulated around and beneath the control buttons, can make touch controls unresponsive without any real fault; documented by Samsung and Bosch. Difficulty 1/5.
- Leak protection feature blocking operation: A Leak Protection/leak detection feature can prevent the dishwasher from running if it senses (or has sensed) a leak condition; GE documents this on multiple model lines. Difficulty 2/5.
- Door latch or door switch mechanism faulty: Bosch documents that the door latch mechanism itself can be faulty and inhibit starting even when the door appears fully closed, distinct from the door simply being left open or obstructed. Difficulty 1/5.
Find the cause for your dishwasher
Step-by-step checks for a dishwasher won't start
Check the circuit breaker or fuse
About 5 minutes
- Go to the home's electrical panel.
- Look for a tripped breaker or blown fuse labeled for the dishwasher (or the kitchen circuit).
Check the control lock indicator
About 2 minutes
- Look at the display for a lock icon.
- Press any button and watch whether the lock light flashes (commonly three times) to confirm the control is locked.
Check the display for an active delay countdown
About 1 minutes
- Look at the display for a delay indicator such as a number of hours (e.g., '2H', '4H').
Check that the door is fully closed and unobstructed
About 3 minutes
- Open the door fully.
- Check for anything blocking full closure (trim, an incompletely pushed rack, a pan handle).
- Firmly close the door and listen/feel for the latch to engage.
Check the GFCI outlet
About 5 minutes
- Locate the outlet the dishwasher's power cord plugs into, often under the sink or in an adjacent cabinet.
- Check whether it is a GFCI outlet and whether its Reset button is tripped.
Check the dedicated wall switch
About 2 minutes
- Look for a wall switch near the dishwasher (similar to a light switch).
- Confirm it is in the ON position.
Dry hands and clean the control buttons
About 5 minutes
- Dry your hands completely before touching the controls.
- Gently wipe the button/keypad area with a soft damp cloth.
- Retry pressing Start.
Visually inspect the door latch mechanism
About 5 minutes
- With the door open, look at the latch and the strike it engages for visible damage or misalignment.
- Check the door switch area for looseness.
How to fix a dishwasher won't start
Dry hands and clean the control buttons
About 5 minutes · Difficulty 1/5
- Dry your hands before touching the controls.
- Gently wipe the button area with a soft, damp cloth to remove dirt, grease, or soap residue.
- Retry starting the cycle.
Clear obstructions and fully close the door
About 5 minutes · Difficulty 1/5
- Open the door and remove anything blocking full closure (trim, an incompletely pushed rack, a pan handle).
- Close the door firmly until the latch engages.
- Retry starting the cycle.
Cancel the delay setting
About 2 minutes · Difficulty 1/5
- Press Cancel/Drain (or the model's equivalent) to clear the delay.
- Select the desired cycle and press Start.
Turn off the control lock
About 2 minutes · Difficulty 1/5
- Press and hold the control lock button (location and hold time vary by model) until the lock light turns off.
- Retry selecting a cycle and pressing Start.
Reset the tripped breaker
About 5 minutes · Difficulty 1/5
- Locate the dishwasher's breaker at the home's electrical panel.
- Switch it fully off, then back on once.
- If your home has a fuse panel rather than breakers, contact an electrician instead of replacing the fuse yourself.
Reset the GFCI outlet
About 3 minutes · Difficulty 1/5
- Locate the GFCI outlet feeding the dishwasher.
- Press its Reset button.
- Retry starting the cycle.
Turn on the dedicated wall switch
About 1 minutes · Difficulty 1/5
- Find the wall switch controlling the dishwasher.
- Switch it to ON.
Clear the leak protection condition
About 15 minutes · Difficulty 2/5
Warning: injury is possible here. Take the precautions in Before you work on your dishwasher before you start.
- Consult the model's Leak Protection Feature documentation for the condition it responds to.
- Follow your model's Leak Protection instructions.
- Retry running a cycle.
When to call a technician about a dishwasher won't start
- Have a faulty door latch or door switch serviced
Sources
- Dishwasher SP.. Instruction Manual, Bosch Home Appliances US (retrieved 2026-09-18)
- Dishwasher SMS6HAI01A User Manual, Bosch Home Appliances US (retrieved 2026-09-18)
- Bosch Dishwasher Troubleshooting & Repair Guide, Bosch Home Appliances US (retrieved 2026-09-18)
- Dishwasher - Will Not Run or Has No Power, GE Appliances (retrieved 2026-09-18)
- Dishwasher - Will Not Start or Run but Has Lights or Sound, GE Appliances (retrieved 2026-09-18)
- Samsung dishwasher will not turn on, Samsung Electronics America (retrieved 2026-09-18)
- Dishwasher Not Starting or Not Operating - Product Help, Whirlpool Corporation (retrieved 2026-09-18)
Reader feedback
Guidance only; follow your appliance manual and local codes. If anything looks unsafe, stop and call a qualified technician. Safety disclaimer