Dishwasher Won't Start

If your dishwasher won't start at all, even though it has power and the door is shut, the most common cause is a door latch that isn't fully engaging, which most dishwashers require before any cycle can begin as a safety measure. A control board fault, an accidentally engaged child lock, or a power supply issue can also be responsible. 

Common Causes 

• Door latch failure. The door latch has to fully engage and signal the control board that the door is securely closed before a cycle can begin. A worn, misaligned, or dirty latch can prevent that signal even when the door looks and feels closed, so the dishwasher sits idle no matter which button you press. 
• Control board fault. The control board manages every stage of starting a cycle, from reading your button presses to checking the door latch and water supply. A fault here can prevent the start sequence from ever beginning, even though the door, latch, and power supply are all working correctly on their own. 
• Child lock engaged. Most dishwashers have a child lock feature that disables the control panel, usually activated by holding a specific button or combination for a few seconds. If it's engaged, often by accident during loading or cleaning, the panel may light up normally but simply won't respond to any start command until it's turned off. 
• Power supply issue. A tripped breaker, a loose power connection behind the unit, or a faulty outlet can cut power to the dishwasher entirely, which can look identical to a control board fault from the outside since nothing on the panel will light up or respond at all. This is often the easiest cause to rule out, since it takes only a minute to check your electrical panel before assuming anything internal has failed. 

When to DIY vs. Call a Pro 

You can safely check that the door is closing and latching firmly with no obstruction, confirm the child lock isn't engaged by checking your model's specific button combination in the manual, and check your electrical panel to rule out a tripped breaker. It's also worth trying the outlet with another small appliance if you can access it, just to confirm power is actually reaching the unit before assuming the fault sits inside the dishwasher itself. Diagnosing a faulty door latch mechanism or a control board fault involves testing internal electrical components, which is a job for a technician. 

FAQ 

How do I know if the child lock is on? 

Most models show a small lock icon on the display or a light next to a labeled button when the child lock is active. The exact combination to release it varies by brand, usually holding one or two buttons for three to five seconds, so checking your owner's manual or the manufacturer's website for your specific model is the quickest way to confirm. 

Why does the display light up but nothing happens when I press start? 

This usually points to the door latch not fully engaging or the child lock being active, rather than a power issue, since a true power loss would typically leave the whole display dark rather than lit but unresponsive to input. 

Could something simple like an open door cause this? 

Yes, and it's worth checking carefully, since a door that looks closed can sometimes fail to fully seat if something inside is blocking it, like a tall item pressing against the upper rack or the door frame. Removing anything obstructing the door and firmly closing it again is worth trying before assuming a bigger fault. 

Is this the same issue as a dishwasher that starts but stops partway through? 

No, a dishwasher that won't start at all points to something preventing the cycle from beginning in the first place, like the latch, child lock, or power supply, while stopping mid-cycle usually points to a different fault that occurs after the cycle has already begun, like a drainage or heating issue. 

Is a control board replacement an expensive repair? 

It's generally one of the pricier single components in a dishwasher repair, but a technician can confirm whether the board is actually the cause before ordering the part, since latch and power issues are far more common and cost significantly less to resolve. It's worth getting a proper diagnosis rather than assuming the worst before any parts have been ordered. 

If the door, child lock, and breaker all check out and the dishwasher still won't start, Boreal can diagnose the latch or control board and get it running again, backed by a 90-day warranty on parts and labour.