Home / Dishwasher Problems / Won’t Start
Dishwasher Won’t Start? What to Check First
A dishwasher that won’t start is often a settings or power issue you can fix in a minute. When it isn’t, the door latch and the control board are the usual suspects.
Quick answer
If your dishwasher won’t start, check the breaker, make sure the door latches with a firm click, and look for a control-lock or delay-start light. Then cut power at the breaker for five minutes to reset it. If the panel stays dark, or lights up but won’t run, the door latch or control board likely needs a diagnosis.
Two-minute checks
- Breaker. Dishwashers usually have their own circuit. Flip it fully off, then on.
- Plug. Some dishwashers plug into an outlet under the sink. Make sure it hasn’t been knocked loose.
- Door latch. Close the door firmly until it clicks. If the latch feels loose or won’t catch, that’s likely the problem.
- Control lock / child lock. Look for a lock icon. On most models you hold a button for 3 to 5 seconds to unlock it; the manual names the button.
- Delay start. A delay light or a countdown on the display means it will start later on its own.
- Hard reset. Turn the breaker off for five minutes, then back on, and try a short cycle.
Panel dark vs. panel lit
| What you see | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Completely dark, breaker is on | No power reaching the board: wiring, thermal fuse, or a failed control board |
| Lights come on, nothing happens when you press Start | Door latch switch not closing, control lock, or a failed keypad |
| Starts, hums, then stops | A fill problem (closed valve, failed inlet valve) or a motor issue |
| Buttons don’t respond on a panel-ready model | Keypad on the top edge of the door damaged by steam over time |
| Shows a code | Look it up for your model; see the codes below for Bosch |
Won’t start after a power outage
Outages and the moment power comes back can upset or damage a dishwasher’s electronics. Most Naperville homes are on the city-owned Naperville Electric Utility, which runs about 95% of its lines underground; some unincorporated addresses with a Naperville mailing address are on ComEd. Outages still happen. The utility logged 115 of them from January to September 2025, and storms on June 10, 2026 brought gusts up to 68 mph across the north and east sides.
After an outage, do the five-minute breaker reset above. On Bosch and Thermador models, error E27 or E90 points to a power-supply problem rather than the dishwasher itself. If the panel stays dark after a reset, the control board or its power supply may need replacing.
Causes a tech looks for
- Door latch or latch switch. A common mechanical cause. The latch can break or the switch inside can stop making contact.
- Thermal fuse. A safety fuse that cuts power if the board overheats.
- Control board. Power surges and moisture are the usual killers.
- Keypad / user interface. Especially on panel-ready models with hidden controls.
- Wiring or the junction box. Loose connections behind the kick plate.
- Inlet valve. If it starts but never fills, the cycle can stall.
What it costs to fix
A control board or keypad repair runs about $150 to $350 nationally with parts and labor. Our Naperville prices: door latch [PRICE], control board [PRICE]. On an older dishwasher, a control board is often where it’s worth weighing a replacement; see is it worth repairing?.
When to call a technician
- The panel stays dark after a breaker reset
- The latch is broken or won’t catch
- You smell burning or the breaker trips again
- It started after a storm or outage and a reset didn’t help
- It shows a code that comes back
Book a repair or call [PHONE].
Won’t start: common questions
Why is my dishwasher not doing anything when I press Start?
The door isn’t latching, the control lock is on, a delay start is set, or the board isn’t getting power. Check those in that order, then do a breaker reset.
How do I reset my dishwasher?
The universal method is turning off its breaker for five minutes and turning it back on. Many models also have a cancel or drain button combination; check your manual.
Can a power surge ruin a dishwasher?
It can damage the control board. If your dishwasher died right after an outage or storm and a reset doesn’t help, that’s the first thing a tech will test.
Is it worth fixing a dishwasher that won’t turn on?
A latch or fuse is an affordable fix at almost any age. A control board on a dishwasher over 10 years old often isn’t worth it.
Reviewed by [TECH NAME], appliance technician. Last updated October 27, 2026.
Need it fixed?
2-hour arrival windows, a written price before any work, and the [FEE] diagnostic credited to the repair.
- All of Naperville: 60540, 60563, 60564, 60565
- Most repairs done in one visit
- Bosch, KitchenAid, Whirlpool, GE, Samsung, LG and more
Get Your Dishwasher Fixed
Tell us the brand, the model and what it’s doing. You’ll get a window, a price, and a straight answer on whether it’s worth fixing.