So your LG dishwasher won’t start but has power? I understand how disappointing that can be, but I can assure you that the problem isn’t as difficult to fix.
Your LG dishwasher won’t star but has power because the child lock is active, the door latch is faulty, the control panel has a problem, or the motor relay isn’t working. The hinge cycle settings may be stuck, the electric control board may have lost continuity, or the drive motor isn’t working.
In this guide, I highlight all the possible reasons why your LG dishwasher may not be starting. Also, I’ll give you some best possible do-it-yourself fixes that you can implement to get the appliance to start working again.
8 Reasons Why Your LG Dishwasher Won’t Start But Has Power
| Problem | Best Possible Fix | |
| 1. | Child Lock is active | If the child lock is active, the unit will not even with power. Press and hold the Dual Zone button for about 3 seconds to deactivate the program. |
| 2. | The Door Latch is faulty | The door seal wore out from overuse. If not, check the area around the door for debris and soap scum. Test the latch for continuity, and replace it if it fails the continuity test. |
| 3. | The Control Panel is faulty | If the control panel is defective, the buttons won’t respond, so the unit won’t start. Replace the control panel with a new one. |
| 4. | The Motor Start Relay isn’t working | If the motor start relay fails, the circulation pump doesn’t get power and the dishwasher won’t start. Test the motor for continuity. And replace if faulty. |
| 5. | Hinge Cycle Settings are stuck | You can fix the problem by doing a power reset to clear the current wash cycle. |
| 6. | Selector Switch went bad | Buy a new selector switch for your LG dishwasher. |
| 7. | The Driver Motor isn’t working | Get a new drive motor for replacement if the current one is faulty |
| 8. | Electric Control Board doesn’t have continuity | Do a hard reset to clear software errors. Test the board for continuity and replace it with a new one of it fails the test. |
1. The Dishwasher is Locked
Your LG dishwasher is not starting but has power because the child lock function is active.
If the child lock function is active, CL, which stands for Child Lock, will show on the user interface.
The work of this program is to prevent your small boy or girl from changing your wash cycle settings or starting the dishwasher when you are not around.
As useful as it is, the child lock also stops the unit from starting. To resume running a cycle or start a new one, you’ll need to deactivate the control lock.
To do this:
- Press and hold the DUAL ZONE for about 3 seconds.
- Let the system turn off the child lock function.
2. The Door Latch Could be Faulty
Another possible reason why your LG dishwasher won’t start is that the door latch or hook might be faulty.
Sometimes the latch might malfunction and make the dishwasher door not close properly. And as you already know, dishwashers can’t start running if the main control board thinks that the door is still open.
First, check if there are debris or scum on the door, as these are the likely reason why the dishwasher door may not be closing properly.
Second, inspect the door latch to check if you’re dealing with a broken seal.
If during the LG dishwasher troubleshooting you notice that the door latch is faulty, you should get a new door latch for replacement.
Note that a new LG dishwasher door latch might cost around $30 to $40 depending on the LG dishwasher model.
To replace the door latch:
- Turn off your dishwasher’s power supply.
- Open the dishwasher door and unthread the screws holding the outer door panel.
- Pull the outer door panel off, unthread the screws holding the control panel, and pull the old door latch out to release it.
- Install the new door latch by connecting the wires to the appropriate terminals, align the door latch with the control panel, and snap it into place.
- Reposition the control panel and secure it with the screws.
- Re-install the outer door panel (align the slots on the panel with the tabs at the bottom of the control panel) and screw it with the screws.
You are now ready to restore power to the dishwasher and confirm the latch is now working properly.
3. The Control Panel Stopped Working
An LG dishwasher might fail to start because the start button is not responding. And the best possible explanation is a faulty control panel.
You could do a dishwasher reset if you doubt there’s a software glitch. But replacing the control panel that simply won’t respond is the best solution to this problem.
Here’s what you do:
- Disconnect power to the dishwasher to prevent shorts and electrocution.
- Open the door and remove the Philip screws. Carefully support the door panel as you unthread the screws.
- Slightly pull the control panel away from the door as it is still connected by a wire on the right or left-hand side depending on the LG dishwasher model.
- Depress the locking to disconnect the electrical connectors to remove the control panel.
- Install the new control panel by aligning the electrical connector and pushing it until it snaps in place
- Align the tabs on the control panel to the slots on the door and secure the new control panel with screws.
With everything put back together, restore power to the unit and test the new control panel.
4. The Start Relay Motor Could Be Faulty
You can locate the start relay motor close to the pump behind the lower access on most LG dishwashers.
The purpose of the start relay moto is to supply power to the motor start windings until the motor runs.
But if your LG dishwasher isn’t starting despite having power, it might be because the start relay motor is faulty.
If this is the case, you should think about replacing the start relay motor.
Start by testing the motor for continuity. The test helps you to determine whether the component is in good condition or need replacing.
Replace the component with a new one if it fails the test.
4. Hung Cycle Setting
Your LG dishwasher is probably not working because it has a hung cycle issue. This problem arises when your dishwasher stops in the middle of a wash cycle.
If that happens, the dishwasher gets stuck and finds it hard to run a new cycle.
Try fixing the problem by doing a power reset to clear the current wash cycle as well as possible software glitches if any.
Do not plug the unit back to power so fast. Give it at least 10 minute to reset and clear errors that may present.
5. The Selector Switches Could Be Faulty
Selector switches are the ones that determine settings and wash cycles for every dishwasher load.
But if the LG dishwasher isn’t working despite having power, one or all selector switches may be faulty.
You will need to buy and install new selector switches if the older ones fail the continuity test.
6. The Drive Motor Could be the Problem
The work of the drive motor is to power the circulation pump so that it can force water through the holes on the spray arms to wash your dishes at high pressure.
If the drive motor is faulty, water will not come out from the holes of the spray arms at high pressure. As a result, your dishes will still come out of the unit dirty.
Worst of all, when the motor dies, no power goes to the circulation, which means no cleaning can take place.
You’ll have to replace the drive motor to get the LG dishwasher to star working again. To do that:
- Start by cutting off the power supply and then turning off the water supply.
- Dismantle the dishwasher (remove the access lower access panel, unthread the wire nuts to loosen the wires, loosen the water connection line, disconnect the drain hose from the garbage disposal, and so on).
- As you disassemble the unit, make sure you note the way every component connects so that you won’t have a difficult time reassembling the unit.
- Remove the interior water guide.
- Take out the malfunctioning water assembly and install the new one.
- Reassemble the appliance and ensure that everything is fixed back correctly so that the system works.
7. Malfunctioning Electric Control Board or Timer
The electric timer control is just the place to test if the door latch is not faulty.
The electric control board connects to the control panel and its work is to determine how long a wash cycle should run.
The power needed by the timer to start a wash cycle won’t be available if the electric control board goes kaput.
This problem will also occur when the connection between the timer and the control board is faulty.
You will need to replace the control board if it fails the resistance test.
- Unplug the unit from power and cut off water supply.
- Disassemble the appliance so that you locate and remove the timer.
- Set your multimeter to Rx1000 and attach the probes to the relevant contacts.
You are supposed to get a resistance reading of between 2000 and 3500 ohms. Get a new electric control board if the resistance readings fall outside this range.
What is the purpose of the thermal fuse in an LG dishwasher and how can I test it?
The thermal fuse in an LG dishwasher serves the crucial role of shutting off the dishwasher if it becomes excessively hot. It is designed to prevent any possible damage or danger caused by overheating. If the thermal fuse blows or malfunctions, your dishwasher will not start.
To test the thermal fuse in your LG dishwasher, follow these steps:
1. Ensure that the power to your dishwasher is switched off for safety.
2. Locate the thermal fuse in your dishwasher. If you are unsure of its location, consult your user manual.
3. Once you have found the thermal fuse, carefully remove it from your dishwasher.
4. Use a multimeter, a device used to measure electrical continuity, to test the thermal fuse for continuity. This test will indicate whether the fuse is functioning properly.
5. If the multimeter test reveals that the thermal fuse is faulty or has no continuity, it needs to be replaced.
6. Install a new thermal fuse in place of the defective one.
7. After replacing the thermal fuse, switch on the power to your LG dishwasher.
8. Check if the dishwasher is now operational. If it still fails to function, proceed to the next step for further troubleshooting.
By following these steps, you can determine the functionality of the thermal fuse in your LG dishwasher and ensure that it is in good working condition.
What are the possible causes of an LG dishwasher not starting?
When an LG dishwasher fails to start, there can be several potential causes that may need to be addressed. This guide offers step-by-step instructions to help identify and resolve the issue. By following the outlined steps, you can troubleshoot the dishwasher to determine the root cause and effectively fix it. Here are some possible causes for an LG dishwasher not starting:
1. Power Supply: Ensure that the dishwasher is properly connected to a functioning power outlet. Check if there is a tripped circuit breaker or a blown fuse that may be disrupting the power supply.
2. Door Latch: A faulty door latch can prevent the dishwasher from starting. Verify that the door is closing completely and securely. Inspect the latch mechanism and its alignment to ensure proper engagement.
3. Door Switch: The door switch is responsible for detecting when the door is closed. If the door switch is defective or misaligned, it may fail to signal the dishwasher to start. Inspect the switch and test its functionality with a multimeter if necessary.
4. Thermal Fuse: The thermal fuse acts as a safety measure to prevent overheating. If the thermal fuse is blown, it will interrupt the power supply to the dishwasher, causing it not to start. Test the thermal fuse for continuity using a multimeter.
5. Touchpad and Control Panel: A malfunctioning touchpad or control panel can hinder the dishwasher from starting. Check for any buttons or areas of the panel that are unresponsive or showing signs of damage.
6. Timer: The timer regulates the different cycles and operations of the dishwasher. If the timer is faulty, it may prevent the dishwasher from starting. Test the timer to ensure it is functioning correctly or consider replacing it if necessary.
7. Main Control Board: If all previous checks do not resolve the issue, a defective main control board could be the culprit. The control board is responsible for coordinating the dishwasher’s functions, and a malfunction can result in a failure to start. Consider replacing the control board if all other potential causes have been ruled out.
It is important to note that these are just possible causes, and it may require further investigation or professional assistance to pinpoint and rectify the specific problem with the LG dishwasher.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why Won’t My LG Dishwasher Start?
The most likely reason why your LG dishwasher is not starting even with power is that it is stuck between cycles. If that’s not the case, check of the control panel is defective.
Some of these problems arise because of software glitch, which means doing a dishwasher reset can get the unit to work properly again.
2. Where is the Reset Button on the LG Dishwasher?
Unfortunately, an LG dishwasher doesn’t come with a button specifically designed to reset the unit.
The best way to reset the unit is to unplug it from power, wait for about 10 minutes for the unit to reset, and then plugged back into power.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide has helped you to fix a LG dishwasher that’s not working but has power.
More importantly, keep in mind that these fixes don’t require the intervention of professionals. And that means you can save all the money that you would have otherwise paid in repair service.