If your Bosch dishwasher won’t start wash cycle and you need a quick DIY fix that works, you’ve come to the right place.
Sometimes the issue is so simple that you can fix in under 10 seconds. Other times, you may need to run a full Bosch dishwasher troubleshooting to determine what the problem might be.
Generally, your Bosch dishwasher won’t start wash cycle if the door is not closed. Also, an active control lock keeps the unit from normal operation, as it prevents one from starting a new wash cycle. Lack of enough water supply and water pool can also keep a wash cycle from starting.
Sometimes the unit fails to start a new wash cycle because of damaged parts, so it’s important to know where the problem is coming from.
In this guide, I include all the possible reasons why your Bosch dishwasher won’t start a wash cycle. Also, I give you some recommended fixes that work well.
Let’s get to it.
Why Bosch Dishwasher Won’t Start Wash Cycle (9 Reasons Explained)
The table below is a summary of why your Bosch dishwasher won’t start a wash cycle as well as what you can do to fix the problem:
| Problem | Quick DIY Fix | |
| 1. | You have the dishwasher door opened | Close the dishwasher’s door to have the unit start the wash cycle |
| 2. | The door latch is likely faulty | You should replace the door latch with a new one if the current one is faulty |
| 3. | Dishwasher racks not placed correctly | Make sure you place the rack in the correct position and try running the cycle again |
| 4. | Your dishwasher’s door hinges are faulty and malfunctioning | Replace the door hinges to get the unit to run the cycle again |
| 5. | You activated the control lock for the dishwasher | Locate the control lock option on the control panel and hold it down until it beeps to deactivate the control lock. Otherwise, do a complete dishwasher reset |
| 6. | Conflicts in the preset programs | You should do a complete system reset to get the dishwasher to run a wash cycle successfully |
| 7. | There’s not enough water supply | Replace the water valve and place the inlet hose properly |
| 8. | You selected the wrong wash cycle | Wait until the wash cycle you selected start or reset the unit to start a new cleaning cycle to wash your dishes |
| 9. | There’s water pooling at the bottom of the dishwasher | Empty the bottom, check what could be causing the problem then fix |
1. Your Bosch Dishwasher’s Door is Open
Having had experience with Bosch dishwasher not starting, I can attest that not closing the door properly is often one of the reasons why the unit can’t start a wash cycle.
If you think about it, Bosch doesn’t just want to give you a unit that can do your dishes fast. They’ve also developed their units such that they’re always safe to use.
If anything, an improperly closed door could lead to water leaking out of the unit and flooding your kitchen. And that’s the last thing you want to happen.
- Turn off the dishwasher
- Close the door and make sure it securely latches
- Restart the unit and try to run the wash cycle again
If the unit failed to run a cycle because you hadn’t closed the door properly, the solution above should fix the problem.
However, if closing the door properly doesn’t get a wash cycle to start, there may be an issue with the door latch sensor or the door latch switch.
2. The Dishwasher’s Door Latch is Faulty
A door latch is an important component in a Bosch dishwasher.
At the very least, it ensures that the door locks properly, after which the built-in sensor sends a signal to the main control board that the unit is ready to run a cycle.
The problem is:
Even door latches get loose at times and fail to work altogether. This, if anything, might be the case with your model.
So if you’ve closed your Bosch dishwasher’s door but still the unit won’t start a wash cycle, it’s highly likely that you need to get a new door latch and replace it with the current one.
3. The Rack Could Be in the Wrong Position
I just love how Bosch pays attention to precision when deigning their dishwasher. The build is so accurate that the machine can’t even start running a wash cycle if the rack isn’t in the right position.
So if the door closes and latches well, but the unit still can’t run a cycle, you should check the rack to see if it’s in the right position.
What you do here is to make sure you position the racks properly by sliding them in entirely. Then, close the door and try running the wash cycle again.
4. There’s a Problem with the Door Hinge
A faulty or damaged door hinge will cause the dishwasher to fail to run a wash cycle, rendering the unit overall unit useless for a time.
Check whether the hinges are malfunctioning or completely damaged.
If you’re dealing with a malfunctioning door hinge, simple repairs should help.
Sometimes the door hinges aren’t in correct alignment. In such a case, spending a few minutes of your time making sure the hinges are straight should help to fix the issue. Also, it helps to look for indications of wear and tear.
If completely damaged, consider getting a new door hinge for replacement.
5. You Have the Child Lock Activated
Here’s the deal:
The child lock, also known as the control lock is one of the most important functions in a dishwasher.
As I’ve mentioned before in my Bosch Silence Plus 44DBA troubleshooting guide, the control lock keeps kids from operating the dishwasher, ensuring they don’t start a new wash cycle or interfere with the current one.
The problem is:
An activated child lock completely disengages the machine, making all the functionalities 100% unresponsive.
Fortunately, all you have to do to get the unit to start running a wash cycle is to deactivate the control lock.
To do this, find the child lock button, press and hold it down for three to five seconds. Doing so should deactivate the control lock.
6. The Unit Needs a Reset
Sometimes your dishwasher jams up, but it usually isn’t because of a faulty component. In some cases, the problem is with the conflicts of the program running the unit.
In this case, it’s best to troubleshoot the unit and see if doing so fixes the problem.
To reset your Bosch dishwasher:
- Disconnect the unit from the power supply unit
- Switch off the fuse, or pull out the main plug
- Wait about 10 seconds for the unit to clear errors from its memory and do an automatic reset
- Connect the unit back to the power source and try running a new cycle
7. Lack of Sufficient Water Supply
Your Bosch dishwasher won’t run a cycle if it doesn’t have sufficient water supply
More often than not, the unit doesn’t have sufficient water supply because of a malfunctioning water valve or a kinked, clogged, or improperly placed intake hose.
If you notice that the dishwasher has a problem with the inlet valve, clean it. If the water inlet valve is so faulty that it can’t work anymore, get a new water inlet valve for replacement.
Make sure that the water inlet valve you choose for replacement is compatible with your Bosch dishwasher model.
8. There’s Water Pooling at the Bottom
Water pooling at the bottom of a dishwasher isn’t a common problem, but it can occur and cause the dishwasher not to start a washing cycle.
That is why you should take the unit out and look to see if there is any standing water in the unit.
Empty the bottom of the unit if there’s water polling, and then restart the wash cycle again.
If you can figure out what is causing the drainage problem and correct it, you won’t have to worry about water accumulating at the bottom.
More often than not, the common cause of water pooling at the bottom of the unit include bad drain solenoid, clogged filter, clogged airgap, and defective drain pump.
9. You Selected the Wrong Wash Cycle by Mistake
There have been times when my Bosch dishwasher failed to start a wash cycle, and it’s never because of a malfunctioning component.
In the real sense, I discovered that it’s because I chose the wrong washing cycle. And it’s likely that you’ve equally made the same mistake.
To be abundantly clear, your Bosch dishwasher can delay a wash cycle by an hour or more if you pick the wrong setting.
For instance, if you select the delay start option, the cycle will begin after a period.
Resetting the dishwasher and starting a new cycle is your only options if you want to start the unit without having to wait for the delay period to elapse.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Do You Force a Bosch Dishwasher to Reset?
You can reset your Bosch dishwasher by holding and pressing down the start button for about three seconds.
Resetting the unit will allow you to solve issues such as frozen display by clearing the settings, allowing you to use the unit again.
2. Why is My Bosch Dishwasher Not Changing Washing Cycle?
Your Bosch dishwasher is unable to change the cycle because it’s likely stuck in the wash mode where either the thermostat isn’t working or water isn’t hot enough.
3. Why is My Bosch Dishwasher Not Starting?
Sometimes a Bosch dishwasher fails to start because of a water supply issue. So if the unit has power but doesn’t start filling with water, you should check the water inlet valve.
First, make sure you connect the water inlet valve the right way. If damaged, replace it with a new one.
Are there any similar threads on the forum related to dishwasher issues?
Yes, there are several similar threads on the forum related to dishwasher issues. Here are a few examples:
1. “GDT545PSJSS Continues to sound like it is draining/pumping after resetting control board (power cycling)” – This thread discusses a GE/Hotpoint dishwasher that keeps making draining/pumping sounds even after resetting the control board.
2. “Bosch Dishwasher SHEM63W52N, E24, and weak drain stream…” – In this thread, users talk about a Bosch dishwasher experiencing error code E24 and a weak drain stream.
3. “Kenmore Dryer POWERS OFF mid-cycle on timer and moisture settings” – Here, members discuss a Kenmore dryer that powers off unexpectedly during the cycle.
4. “KUDK03CTSS0, panel lights are on, button works but won’t start to fill or drain.” – This thread is about a KitchenAid dishwasher where the panel lights are on and the buttons work, but it won’t start the fill or drain process.
5. “Maytag Dishwasher MDB5000AWA Cleans dishes perfectly but now the pump won’t run after first wash” – In this discussion, users describe a Maytag dishwasher that cleans dishes well, but the pump won’t run after the first wash.
These threads cover different dishwasher brands and various issues such as draining problems, error codes, power loss, and malfunctioning pumps.
Who is the expert on Bosch dishwashers on ApplianceBlog.com?
The expert on Bosch dishwashers at ApplianceBlog.com is Jeff. However, currently, Jeff is unavailable as he has taken some time off to attend to family matters.
Conclusion
I hope this troubleshooting guide has helped you to identify why your Bosch dishwasher won’t start wash cycle. I’m confident that the solutions I’ve shared with you are good enough to help you fix the problems I’ve addressed.
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