Dishwasher Has No Power

This video from Sears PartsDirect shows what to do if your dishwasher won’t start because it has no power.

Or call 1-800-437-1673 to speak with a parts specialist.

1. Check the power switch.
Many dishwashers have an on/off wall switch, often next to the garbage disposal switch. Turn this switch on if it's off.

2. Check the house circuit breaker.
Because you often can't tell whether the breaker has tripped, reset the breaker for the dishwasher by shutting it off and turning it back on. Check the dishwasher now to see if it powers up.

3. Check the power source.
If your dishwasher has a power cord that plugs into an electrical outlet, make sure the power cord is plugged in. If so, check that the outlet is working by plugging in a small appliance like a blow dryer or night light to see if it works. If not, have an electrician repair the outlet.

If your dishwasher doesn’t plug into an electrical outlet, it’s hardwired into the junction box. Here’s how to check it:
--Shut off the house circuit breaker for the dishwasher to disconnect electrical power, so you don’t get shocked.
--Remove the mounting screws that hold the front access panel and toe panel in place and remove the panels.
--Remove the screw from the junction box cover and pull off the cover.
--Check the black wire connection and the white wire connection. Reconnect any loose or disconnected wires. Reinstall the junction box cover and then reinstall the bottom front access panel and toe panel. Restore electrical power to the dishwasher and see if it works.

4. Check the user interface control wire harness.
The control panel won't light up if the wire harness is disconnected.
--Shut off power to the dishwasher.
--Open the dishwasher door and remove the Torx screws from the outer edges of the inner door panel. So the outer door panel doesn’t fall off, support it with one hand as you remove the final screws.
--Separate the outer door panel and control panel and rest the outer panel on the floor.
--If the user interface control wire harness is unplugged, reconnect it. Reassemble the dishwasher and restore power.

5. Have a technician diagnose the problem.
If the dishwasher still doesn't power up, a failed user interface control, a failed electronic control board or a broken wire could be preventing the dishwasher from starting. Have a Sears service technician examine and repair the dishwasher. Additional diagnosis requires live voltage checks that require proper training.

The video includes these parts and tools. Look up your model to make sure you get the right parts for your dishwasher.
Electronic control board
User interface control

Find parts for dishwasher at

Or click here to schedule an appointment with a repair technician.

[enlaichu]

The troubleshooting in this video was thorough and started with the most common, minor issues first instead of jumping into analyzing the dishwasher parts. Awesome and practical. Thank you!

[kimkhalaj]

Thank you!!!! It was just the electrical outlet under the sink that got unplugged. So simple, such a simple fix! Made me happy! 🙏🏽🌷

[jetrider]

Within the first 30 seconds of the video I thought “I bet it is the switch” turned on the switch and the dishwasher worked!! Great video…super useful! Thank you Wayne!

[carlotatoledo]

Wayne, thank you so much for your help and step-by-step guidance. My young son and I just moved into our new home. I freaked out when my fully loaded dishwasher would not start. Thanks to your video we determined it was #2. My son yelled, "Mom, it wasnt plugged in all the way. Try it now!" And low and behold, the dishwasher started. Thanks Wayne and Sears for looking out for families. 👍🤗👏

[raisinhk]

My issue was the door switch not making up when I closed the door. At 2:11 minutes into this video, he talks about the user interface control wire harness. This is where I found my problem. There are several videos on YouTube that show replacing a fuse in this harness/control panel. My fuse was okay but the door switch is inline just before the fuse. The door switch was okay but had become misaligned to the point to where it wasn't doing its job. Just going through the process of taking things apart and putting them back together, I tightened and realigned everything and when done I had been successful in restoring power to the control panel and was back in business. Lucky me. 😃

[jeangillis]

I had a power surge yesterday, and today, the dishwasher wasn't showing any power. I checked the circuit breaker and turned it on and off. I checked the power cord and it was firmly plugged in; however, I pulled out the plug and plugged it back in anyway. Unplugging it reset the dishwasher. It's working now! Yay!!!

[pippalla]

Thank you. It was not any of the points that were mentioned but it gave me a method to debug. For me it was the switch that is turned on, by being pressed inward by the latch ( the latch that locks the dishwasher). This is an old model. I am impressed how long this has been running. The housing of the switch broke off from the inner panel. I taped the housing ( of the switch ) with duct tape after making sure it is lined with with the latch. Now it works.

[OroStation]

This dude just going around dropping knowledge and saving everyone cash. #legend. Thanks man, saved me the wrath of my mother in law and wife.

[TaiRoxas]

My good sir, you have solved my problem in the first 30 seconds of this video lol. I'm so glad I found this, rather than attempting to replace a fuse that didn't even need to be messed with. Thank you!!

[btkgator]

Wow! This worked. Had to reconnect wires at the bottom of dishwasher. Weird that they would come undone so I wasn't optimistic along with my poor fix it skills. Thank you.

[craigstout]

I was about ready to open up the control panel to change fuses like the other videos and then this fine man tells me to check the switch on the wall which was off. I felt like an idiot but he save me a lot of time and energy thank you

[ah]

You’re 28 seconds in and already solved our problem! Thanks!!

[sheryldierenfield]

Thank you!! Love it when I can fix it myself! I had checked the circuit breaker and the junction box... it was simply a loose wire!! Score!! Very clear, direct and to the point video!! Excellent!!

[lorendsalazar]

Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU KIND SIR !
New house, dishwasher had no power, and your first suggestion just saved us hundreds in a service call.
So happy you saved the day here and we now have a functioning machine.
Thank you ! !

[heatherheisler]

You just saved me alot of 💰 money..I'm so thankful that I found your video😁I went to start my dishwasher and had no power..it was the switch beside my garbage disposal switch that Ive been wondering what it was for since I've lived here lol😂 definitely makes me feel not so smart 😅lol..Thank you so much for sharing this

[lovesthebass]

Hahah, within 29 seconds you helped me out. I just moved into this house from another one and it has a switch above it that turns it on or off. It was off and I couldn't find out why the dishwasher wasn't getting power. My dishwasher at my old house didn't have a switch.

[Jake-wkmh]

The plug-in under the sink was sticking out about a centimeter, and was likely knocked loose by the weight attached to the spray hose attachment, since it comes into contact with the dishwasher power cord. Never knew they plugged in under the sink! Thanks for the tips!

[damiadeshina]

Thank you! My circuit breaker had tripped and I would’ve never thought unless you mentioned it.

[iansteinke]

Wow within the first minute I found out that my "broke" dishwasher had a light switch. I guess that makes sense why that one never turned on a light, the more you know 😂. Very helpful thank you

[codybarksdale]

Thanks for posting this video! My issue was the hot wire for the appliance power cord had not been wire-nutted on properly and it came loose mid-cycle three weeks after installation. Thanks to this vid I was able to fix it quickly! :)