11 Reasons KitchenAid Dishwasher Won’t Start But Has Power

I’ve had moments when I needed to do dishes fast in the morning only for my dishwasher to fail me completely. So if your KitchenAid dishwasher won’t start but has power, this post is for you.

Your KitchenAid dishwasher won’t start but has power because water supply is not functioning, the main control board is faulty, the timer isn’t correct, or the door latch switch has a problem.

Having investigated why a KitchenAid dishwasher can’t start despite having power, I found 11 potential causes for the problem. And in this guide, I’m going to help you solve all of them.

Let’s get started. 

11 Reasons Why KitchenAid Dishwasher Won’t Start But Has Power

The table below is a summary of the reasons why your KitchenAid dishwasher won’t start but has power and recommended solutions.

1. The Unit’s Water Supply is Faulty

Water plays a big role in dishwashers and that’s why an improper or lack of water flow can make your KitchenAid dishwasher not start even if it has power.

Look at your water line to ensure there are no kinks or dents, as these can interfere with proper water flow.

Ensure the water supply line is well connected and the inlet valve is on. Also, consider replacing a faulty inlet valve with a new one if it is beyond repair.

2. The Main Control Board is Malfunctioning

The main control board is the brain of your Kitchenaid dishwasher.  

Unfortunately, a faulty or damaged main control board will not be able to send the power needed to start your Kitchenaid dishwasher.

You need to troubleshoot your KitchenAid dishwasher main control board to determine whether it’s the cause for the unit not starting.

• If the problem is a system glitch, restart or reset the dishwasher.
• If there are loose connections to the main board, reconnect the wires so that electric signals can flow to their respective components.
• If the main control board is faulty, replace it with a new one.

3. The Dishwasher Timer is Faulty

This part of your dishwasher is responsible for delegating voltages to given functions at given times.

But with a faulty timer, your dishwasher may not get enough power to start. You can fix the issue by replacing the defective timer with a new one. 

4. Defective Door Latch Switch

You should look at the door latch switch if your KitchenAid dishwasher won’t start but has power.

The work of the door latch switch is to hold the door shut. It then sends a signal to the door latch sensor, which then communicates to the main control that the door’s seal is fine. When the main control board gets the signal, starts the dishwasher ready to run a cycle.

Unfortunately, a jammed or broken door latch switch can cause the dishwasher not to start

A broken door latch won’t click when you close the door. And the only best way to fix this problem is to get a new door latch switch for replacement.

Soap or food particles can stick on the door latch. In such an instance, the door latch can’t click and send a signal to the main control board that you’ve had the door closed.

If you’re just having a jammed door latch rather than a broken one, clean out clogs making the dishwasher door fail to close properly.

5. Faulty Drive Motor

The work of the drive motor is to turn on all the dishwasher components in sequence and power the transmission. It is also with the help of the drive motor that the KitchenAid dishwasher washes and dries dishes.

Unfortunately, your KitchenAid dishwasher won’t start if the drive motor is faulty.

In most cases, the drive motor fails because of broken wires and faulty capacitors. Although this needs an electrician repair, you can still do a DIY fix if you have a bit of electrical knowledge.

It’s possible to repair the drive motor. However, it would be best if you replaced the motor with a new one instead of repairing the older one.

6. Wrong Dishwasher Settings or Functions

It’s possible that your KitchenAid dishwasher won’t start but has power because of wrong settings or functions.

Here are possible cases:

• No Wash Cycle Selected: Your KitchenAid dishwasher won’t start because there’s no cycle selected. So choose a cycle and makes sure it’s the correct option otherwise the dishwasher won’t start.
• Child Lock is Active: The dishwasher won’t start if the child lock function is active. Any press on the control panel won’t work because the dishwasher assumes that it’s your kid trying to operate the unit. Turn off the child lock function to get your KitchenAid dishwasher to start.
• Control Lock is Active: Whenever this option is active, all the keys/buttons on the control board lock. You will need to press the control lock button for about 3 to 5 second to unlock the buttons.
• Delay Option Selected: Delay start (DELAY) is a function that instructs the KitchenAid dishwasher when to start. With the function on, the dishwasher doesn’t start washing as soon as you press Start. Press Cancel/Drain and then Start/Resume to clear the Delay wash settings. 
• Sleep Mode Selected: Even though your dishwasher has power, it won’t start when the sleep mode function is active. Disable the function by opening and closing the door.

7. Start Switch Is Likely Faulty

The reason why your Kitchenaid dishwasher won’t start but has power is that the start switch is most probably malfunctioning.

You will need to diagnose the switch, rectify the problem or replace the switch if you cannot repair it.

8. Selector Switches Might Be the Problem

Selector switches are switches used to choose wash cycles. If these switches malfunction, you will need to replace them for any wash cycle to start.

• Disconnect the dishwasher from power.
• Open the dishwasher in particular the inner door panel to access the selector switch.
• Carefully remove the selector switch from the unit once it is in sight.
• Set the multi-meter to RX1 settings and test each selector switch for continuity using a multimeter.
• Replace any selector switch that doesn’t have continuity.

9. Faulty Electronic Control Board

Your KitchenAid dishwasher won’t start even if it has power if the electronic control board is faulty.

The Control board is the part in your KitchenAid dishwasher that is responsible for functions like washing, filling, drying, and draining.

Test the board for continuity with a multimeter. If there is no continuity, get a new electronic control board for replacement. 

To replace this component, you will need work gloves, a nut driver set, a slot screwdriver, and a Torx screwdriver.

• Wear work gloves to protect your hand.
• Disconnect the dishwasher from power.
• Unwind the Torx screws from the inner door panel and separate the outer door panel and the control panel from the inner door panel.
• Disconnect the UI wires harness from the control panel and take out the KitchenAid dishwasher control panel and outer door panel.
• Release the control panel from the inner door panel by lifting the locking tab and sliding it slightly to the left.
• Release the rest of the locking tabs, and remove the electronic control board cover.
• Remove the connecting harness connector brace and the connector box cover.
• Disconnect all the electronic control board wires and get rid of the old electronic control board.
• Connect all the wires on the new electronic control board, put back the wire harness connector brace and connector box cover, and reinstall the electronic control board cover.
• Push the new control board onto the mounting slots and slide the board to your right.
• Reconnect the UI wire harness.
• Attach the outer door panel and control panel to the inner door panel.
• Reinstall all the mounting screws.
• Plug the dishwasher back to power or reset the circuit breaker to restore power in the unit.

10. The Unit Has Faulty Electrical Wires

Faulty electrical wires can make your dishwasher not start, and only cause that I can think of for is power surge.

You already know that wires are the components that connect the system to parts like the motor pumps, and control panel among others.

So in case the wires experience burnout, the dishwasher won’t function properly.

Replace these wires accordingly to fix the problem.

11. Faulty Water Valve

The KitchenAid dishwasher can fail to start if the water valve has a problem.

It could be that you turned water supply off from the source. There could be clogs in the supply hose.

You might be having kinks or bends in the water hose. In some cases, you might be having a problem with your inlet valve.

An error code will show on the control panel if your dishwasher has water issues.

Troubleshoot these issues accordingly. Ensure you turn water supply on. Clean the hose to get rid of clogs. And ensure there are no kinks or bends on the hose.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is there a Reset Button on the KitchenAid Dishwasher?

Your KitchenAid dishwasher has a reset button, which can help you to reset the unit in just 5 seconds.  

You can also use the Energy Saver Dry and Hi-Temp Scrub button to reset the Kitchenaid dishwasher.

Simultaneously press the buttons 5 times and lights will blink repeatedly on the control panel for about 4 to 5 seconds. Let the dishwasher sit for 5 to 10 minutes for the system to reset.

If nothing works, consider a full system reboot. You can do a full system reboot by turning off the power to the dishwasher at the breaker box and waiting for about 5 minutes before powering the dishwasher.

What is the author’s decision regarding their dishwasher?

The author has made the decision to give up on their 12-year-old dishwasher. Instead, they have chosen to buy a nearly new dishwasher from someone they found on Craigslist. Additionally, they plan on returning the part they purchased from the repair clinic in order to receive a refund. The author expresses gratitude for the assistance and answers they received from Jake throughout the process.

Did replacing the door switch solve the problem?

Unfortunately, replacing the door switch assembly fuse did not resolve the issue. The dishwasher remains in the same condition as before the attempt to fix it. Given that the appliance is already 12 years old, the decision has been made to give up on repairing it. Instead, a nearly new dishwasher has been purchased from an individual on Craigslist. The door switch assembly part will be returned to the repair clinic for a refund. Despite not achieving the desired outcome, I am grateful for the assistance and answers provided throughout the process.

Can the door switch be returned for a refund if it doesn’t fix the issue?

Certainly! If the door switch you purchase from us does not resolve the issue you are facing, you have the option to return it for a refund. We offer a 365-day return policy, which means you have a full year to return the product. However, please note that the refund will be the cost of the door switch minus shipping charges. So, if you decide to return the item, the refund amount will be the purchase price of the door switch minus the shipping fee.

What is the part number for the replacement door switch?

The replacement door switch part number is 4318273. You can order it now for same day shipping and the product is backed by a 365 day return policy from RepairClinic.com.

Does the multimeter reading indicate a problem with the door switch?

According to your description, it seems that the multimeter you purchased has an audible feature for continuity. While testing the door switch, you mentioned that it consistently produced an audible beep. However, you also noticed that the digital display never reached or came close to zero. It is crucial to understand that, in this case, the audible beep alone may not indicate everything is working correctly. It is essential for the reading on the digital display to be near zero.

Considering the aforementioned information, if the multimeter reading consistently fails to reach near zero, it is possible that there could be a problem with the door switch. Additionally, you mentioned observing some scorching on the black wire pole and the white wire pole appearing normal. This could further indicate the possibility of a faulty switch.

If the door switch is indeed defective, it can potentially cause a power disruption to the control panel. Therefore, it would be wise to further investigate and potentially replace the door switch if it is determined to be faulty. This may help resolve the issue of no power being supplied to the control panel.

Did replacing the recommended part fix the problem?

Based on the provided information, it appears that replacing the recommended part did not fix the problem with the dishwasher. The individual followed the video instructions to install the part correctly, but the dishwasher still does not display any lights and remains unresponsive. Additionally, they have confirmed that the power to the unit is functioning properly. In light of these circumstances, it is necessary to explore other potential causes or solutions.

Was the recommendation from KitchenAid customer service accurate?

Based on the information provided, it is unclear whether the recommendation from KitchenAid customer service was accurate or not. While the excerpt acknowledges that the individual speaking was talking to customer service, not a technician, it does not explicitly state whether the recommendation given by the customer service representative was correct or incorrect. To determine the accuracy of their recommendation, it may be helpful to seek further clarification from KitchenAid or consult with a professional technician.

Is the “dishwasher door switch repair” kit the correct solution?

According to the information provided, it seems like there may be doubts about whether the “dishwasher door switch repair” kit is the appropriate solution. Before placing an order, it is important to ensure its suitability in getting the dishwasher up and running. It should be noted that when contacting KitchenAid, their customer service representatives, not technicians, handle inquiries. Therefore, additional clarification from a qualified professional, such as a technician, may be necessary in order to confirm if the “dishwasher door switch repair” kit is indeed the correct solution for addressing the issue.

Why is the control panel not lighting up?

“Hello,

I’m sorry to hear about the issues you’re experiencing with your Kitchen Aid dishwasher model # KUDC25CHBT1. Based on your description, it seems that the control panel is not lighting up and the dishwasher is unresponsive to any commands. I understand that you have ruled out a faulty control board as the cause, considering the lack of erratic behavior or blinking lights.

While it is true that dishwashers typically have fuses, it’s not the most common reason for a control panel to not light up. In most cases, a malfunctioning door switch can cause the control panel to show no signs of life. Kitchen Aid customer service has suggested purchasing the “dishwasher door switch repair” kit (part #4318273) to address this issue.

Before investing in the repair kit, it would be best to eliminate any other potential culprits. First, double-check the power supply to ensure that the dishwasher is receiving electricity. If the power supply is not the issue, you can try resetting the dishwasher by turning off the circuit breaker or unplugging it for a few minutes before restoring power.

Now, let’s address your concern about the fuses. These can indeed be a factor, but they are not the usual cause of control panel failure. However, if you have access to an ohmmeter, you can test the fuses to determine if they are functioning correctly. If you don’t have an ohmmeter, you might consider reaching out to a professional technician who can assist you with this test, or you could proceed with purchasing the repair kit as suggested by Kitchen Aid customer service, since the door switch is a more likely culprit.

Regarding the cost of a control board replacement, it’s understandable that you may not want to invest that much money considering the age of the dishwasher. It would be wise to explore alternative solutions before making such a substantial financial commitment.

In summary, while the fuses in your dishwasher could potentially cause the control panel issue, it’s more commonly caused by a faulty door switch. Before purchasing the recommended repair kit, it is advisable to check the power supply, reset the dishwasher, and explore the possibility of testing the fuses if you have the necessary tools. If these steps don’t resolve the issue, you might need to consider contacting a professional technician for further assistance.

Let me know if there’s anything else I can do to help!”

Final Thoughts

Some of the reasons why your KitchenAid dishwasher won’t start include an improperly latched door, lack of water supply, and delay option being active.

This guide has addressed how to solve all the possible problems and get your KitchenAid dishwasher started.