There’s nothing more frustrating than an LG dishwasher touchpad not working. It’s like having a kitchen appliance that will never be go any good use. But what’s exactly the problem and how do you fix it?
Generally, an LG dishwasher touchpad fails because the main control board is faulty, the control lock is active, one or more buttons are not working, or the control panel is faulty. It is also possible that the touchpad is dirty, or you may have touched it with wet hands.
In this guide, I’ll list each problem and how you exactly how to fix it. I’ll focuses mostly on do-it-yourself fixes, so you can get the appliance repaired from home without spending a dollar in repair service.
Why is My LG Dishwasher Touchpad Not Working?
The following table shows the possible reasons why your LG dishwasher isn’t working as well as what you can do to fix each problem:
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution | |
| 1. | The main control board is faulty | A system glitch or power surge may have altered the performance of the unit. | Reset the dishwasher to clear system glitch. Check if there are loose connections and fix them. Replace the main control board if faulty. |
| 2. | The control lock is active | You activated the child lock to keep children from interfering with the device. | Turn off the child lock feature to activate the dishwasher’s touchpad. |
| 3. | One or more touchpad buttons failed | This is a human error often caused by force pressing the buttons on the control panel. | Press the buttons one after the other, in case some respond while others don’t consider replacing the touchpad. |
| 4. | The whole control panel could be faulty | It could be because of system glitches, power failure, or overuse. | Get a new control panel for replacement. |
| 5. | Wet Hands | You might have touched the touchpad with wet hands, making the touches unresponsive. | Use a dry towel to wipe your hands dry before operating the unit. |
| 6. | Dirt | Dirt may have accumulated around the touchpad, causing it not to work. | Clean the touchpad from time to time to get rid of dirt, oils, and grease. |
| 7. | Power Cord | The power cord may be loose or faulty | Check the cord and adjust it if necessary. Replace it if it’s faulty. |
| 8. | Wire Connector | The wire connector connecting the touchpad to the main control could be loose or cut. | Replace any cut wire/firmly connect the touchpad’s wire connector if loose. |
1. Main Control Board May Be Faulty
Your LG dishwasher might be having touchpad problems because the main control board is malfunctioning.
Should this be the case, you should troubleshoot the main control board and replace it with a new one if it’s faulty.
To replace the board:
- Be sure to turn off the power supply to your dishwasher.
- Open the dishwasher door and unthread the screws securing the outer door panel.
- Pull the door panel out, unthread the screws to release the control panel, and disconnect the light display wire harness, display board wire harnesses, and the power switch connector. Note the orientation of these connectors as you disconnect.
- Remove the screws securing the control board to the panel, depress the tabs, and pull the old control board out.
- Install the new main control by aligning it to the panel and snapping it to place and holding it with screws.
- Appropriately reconnect all of the control board wires and secure them with the retainers.
- Reconnect the powers switch connector, light display wire harness, and display board wire harnesses.
- Reposition the control panel and secure it with screws.
- Re-install the outer door panel and secure it with screws.
- Restore power to the dishwasher and confirm that the touchpad is working properly.
2. Control Child Lock is Active
The control lock is the function designed to prevent interruptions while the dishwasher is still on a cycle.
If you activate the child lock (control lock) feature, every key on your touchpad freezes.
You can take advantage of this program to prevent your young children from operating the machine.
But you must remember to turn off the control lock functions before you set a new cycle to run. Otherwise, the touchpad will not respond to commands.
To deactivate the control lock feature, press and hold the child lock button for about 3 seconds.
3. The Control Panel May Be Faulty
If any or all of the touchpad buttons are unresponsive, the display does not read correctly or the appliance randomly beeps, you may be having a bad control panel.
- Unplug the dishwasher from power.
- With the door opened, remove the screws holding the inner door panel to the outer door panel.
- Pull the control panel away from the door.
- Depress the locking tabs to release the electric connector.
- Install the new control board and appropriately connect the wires.
4. Only The Touchpad Could Be Faulty
The touchpad itself could be defective. So test it to determine if the component itself is the problem.
Simply press all the keys on the touchpad to find the ones that are responsive and the ones that are not.
If some buttons respond and some don’t, buy a new touchpad for replacement.
I would recommend encourage replacing the entire control panel instead of just the touchpad.
However, there’s no issue replacing just the touchpad, especially if you’re on a tight budget.
5. Your Hands Are Wet
The dishwasher is not responding to your touches because your hands have water.
Like the screen on your smartphone, the touchpad on your LG dishwasher will misbehave if you handle it with wet hands.
In addition, the more you expose water to your dishwasher’s touchpad the higher the risk of it losing its sensitivity.
To avoid all the inconveniences ensure your hands are dry before using the touchpad on your LG dishwasher.
6. There’s Dirt Around the Touchpad
Another possible reason why the touchpad on your LG dishwasher is not working as supposed or completely not working is that dirt has built up.
Thankfully, dirt build-up does not pose a much greater threat to your dishwasher.
You can fix the issue by cleaning the touchpad using a soft bristle brush and a few drops of electronic cleaner, which can remove grease and dirt.
7. You Have Not Plugged the LG Dishwasher to Power
As obvious as it may sound, you may have unknowingly dislodged the cord transferring power from the socket to your dishwasher.
In such a case, your dishwasher won’t get power.
Without power, there won’t be light to indicate a connection, the start button won’t respond, the entire touchpad will be inactive, and there won’t be signal going to the main control board.
Therefore, before getting too technical, check the power socket to ensure the dishwasher power cord connects as supposed.
Also, check the code to make sure the wires don’t have cuts. If you notice cuts on any of the wires, get new ones for replacement.
8. Your LG Dishwasher Has Wiring Issues
You could be having problems with the touchpad on your LG dishwasher probably because the wire connectors are loose or cut.
This might have happened during your last repair where you never firmly connected the wires or accidentally cut a wire while disconnecting or reconnecting.
Fortunately, dealing with faulty wires and wire connectors in a dishwasher is not as complicated.
- Cut off the power
- Open the dishwasher door and unthread the screws holding the inner door panel to the outer door panel.
- Pull the panel and set it aside.
- Remove the screws securing the control panel.
- Slowly and slightly pull the control panel and check if the connector is firmly connected. Also, check the wires to find cuts.
Replace any wire that is cut, reassemble the dishwasher, restore power and test the touchpad.
Reset The LG Dishwasher
One of the best ways you can deal with a malfunctioning dishwasher is by performing a reset.
LG says there are at least four ways users can reset their LG dishwashers and it will only take less than 2 minutes to get this done.
- Shut down the dishwasher by pressing the power key/button.
- Turn off the circuit breaker supplying power to the dishwasher.
- Wait for about 30 seconds or more to let the system clear errors, refresh, and reset.
- Flip the circuit breakers back on to restore, turn the unit back on, and test if the touchpad is fully functional.
Related Reading
- How to Fix a KitchenAid Dishwasher That Won’t Start But Has Power
- Samsung Dishwasher Touchpad Not Working
- Frigidaire Error Codes Explained
- LG Dishwasher Error Codes Troubleshooting
Frequently Asked Question
1. Can You Replace a LG Dishwasher Control Panel?
Yes, the control panel on your LG dishwasher can be replaced if defective. The spare is readily available and the operation isn’t as technical as it seems. The replacement process won’t take more than 30 minutes.
2. How Much Does It Cost to Replace LG Dishwasher Control Panel? (Cymbalta)
There’s no need to do a replacement that will cost 50 percent or more of the dishwasher’s original price.
Luckily, replacing the control panel on an LG dishwasher is not so expensive. From what I’ve seen, it’s cheaper and you save money if you buy the spare and fix it by yourself.
Ideally, you can spend from $200 to $500 replacing the control panel depending on the model of your LG dishwasher.
3. Do All LG Dishwashers Have a Reset Button?
Not all dishwashers come with physical reset buttons.
Those that don’t have this button will reset when you press certain buttons in a certain sequence.
For instance, most dishwashers can be reset by pressing and holding the power key until a beep sounds.
As soon as the beep goes off, the dishwasher goes off resets itself, clears all the errors it finds, and turns on completely refreshed ready to operate.
4. Why is My LG Dishwasher Not Starting?
Your dishwasher isn’t starting because the start key on your touchpad is not responding to press.
Try slightly wetting the touchpad with some drops of electronic cleaners to scrub the entire area clean. Then try pressing the start key to see if the dishwasher starts.
Additionally, your LG dishwasher isn’t starting because your hand is wet making it hard for the start key responds to the press.
5. Does Unplugging a Dishwasher Resets It?
Yes, unplugging the power cord and plugging back after about 5 minutes will help reset your LG dishwasher.
What part should be checked if a micro switch in the door latch is malfunctioning and preventing a wash cycle from being started?
If you are experiencing issues with your dishwasher buttons not working and suspect that a malfunctioning micro switch in the door latch may be the cause, there are steps you can take to identify and address the problem. One possible solution is to check the micro switch located within the door latch mechanism. This small component plays a crucial role in initiating the wash cycle and can sometimes become faulty. To determine if the micro switch is indeed the culprit, you can use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the switch lacks continuity, it indicates that the switch is not functioning properly and needs to be replaced.
What part should be checked if a door switch is malfunctioning and preventing a wash cycle from being started?
If you are experiencing issues with your dishwasher buttons not working and suspect that a malfunctioning door switch is preventing the wash cycle from starting, there is a specific part you should check. In this case, it is necessary to inspect the dishwasher door switch.
To determine whether the door switch is at fault, you can use a multimeter to test the switch for continuity. If the switch does not have continuity, it is likely causing the problem. In such a scenario, it is recommended to replace the dishwasher door switch.
To find the exact and appropriate replacement part for your specific dishwasher model, you can enter the model number in a search function provided by the manufacturer. This will ensure that you are purchasing the correct part tailored to your product.
If you require assistance in locating your dishwasher model number or need further guidance, you can seek help from the manufacturer’s support team. They will be able to provide you with the necessary information to find the required part.
In summary, if you are facing issues with the dishwasher buttons not functioning and suspect a malfunctioning door switch, it is important to check the dishwasher door switch for continuity using a multimeter. If there is no continuity, it is ideal to replace the door switch with the correct replacement part specific to your dishwasher model.
What part should be checked if there is a problem with the wire harness?
If you are experiencing problems with the wire harness in your LG dishwasher, there is a specific part that you should check. The part that should be examined is the LG Dishwasher Wire Harness. This component is essential for the proper functioning of your dishwasher’s electrical system. To find the required wire harness for your specific LG dishwasher model, you can enter the model number and search for it. If you need assistance in locating your model number, we are here to help. Once you have identified the correct wire harness, you can shop for it in order to replace any faulty or damaged parts. By ensuring that the wire harness is in good condition, you are taking an important step towards resolving any issues with your LG dishwasher’s electrical system.
What component allows the user to choose the dishwasher’s wash and dry settings and may be faulty if some or all of the buttons are not working?
What action should be taken after cleaning the touchpad?
After cleaning the touchpad, the user should try pressing the start key again to see if the dishwasher starts. This step will help determine if the cleaning solution resolved the issue.
What is the potential solution if the start key on the touchpad is not responding?
If the start key on the touchpad is not responding, a potential solution is to slightly wet the touchpad with some drops of electronic cleaners and then scrub the entire area clean. This can help remove any dirt or debris that might be causing the unresponsiveness of the start key.
What could be the cause if the control panel lights are illuminated or if some of the control buttons work?
If the control panel lights are illuminated or if some of the control buttons work, it is likely that the user control and display board is faulty and will need to be replaced. This suggests that the issue lies with the specific component responsible for controlling and displaying the settings.
What should be done if some or all of the buttons on the control panel are not working?
If some or all of the buttons on the control panel are not working, the first step is to determine if the control works at all or if the display indicator lights are illuminated.
What component allows the user to choose the dishwasher’s wash and dry settings?
The user control and display board is the component that allows the user to choose a dishwasher’s wash and dry setting.
The user control and display board is a crucial component of your dishwasher that allows you to select the desired wash and dry settings. If you are experiencing issues with some or all of the buttons not working, it is important to troubleshoot the problem. Start by determining if the control works at all or if the display indicator lights are illuminated. If you notice that the lights are illuminated or some of the control functions are still working, it is highly likely that the user control and display board is faulty and needs to be replaced.
In the case of your dishwasher not starting, it is possible that the start key on the touchpad is not responding when pressed. To address this issue, try gently moistening the touchpad with a few drops of electronic cleaners and then carefully scrubbing the entire area clean. Once done, attempt to press the start key again to see if the dishwasher starts functioning properly.
Remember, the user control and display board plays a crucial role in allowing you to choose the wash and dry settings of your dishwasher. By following these steps and considering the potential faults related to this component, you can effectively troubleshoot and resolve any issues you may be experiencing with your dishwasher.
Final Thoughts
From where I sit, almost all the issues that cause the touchpad to fail to work are problems you can fix without paying hundreds of dollars in repair service.