Dishwasher Not Starting

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A dishwasher that does not respond when you press start is frustrating, but the cause is often simple to identify.

Things to Check First

Door Not Latching Properly

Dishwashers have a safety interlock that prevents them starting unless the door is fully closed and latched. Press firmly until you hear the latch click. A worn door latch costs £60–£100 to replace.

Child Lock Activated

Most modern dishwashers have a child lock. Check your manual — it is usually activated by holding a specific button combination for 3 seconds.

Power Supply

Check the dishwasher is turned on at the socket and the fuse has not blown. Try plugging another appliance into the same socket to confirm it is live.

Control Board Fault

If the above checks pass and the machine still does not start, the control board may be faulty. Control board replacement costs £120–£220 and requires an engineer.

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