When a dishwasher stops working there is usually no warning. It works fine and then the next time you go to use it, nothing. Luckily there are a few reasons for this and they are mostly easy to fix. Try them before you either call a repairman or replace the dishwasher.

First of all, check the breaker at the electrical box. In most houses the dishwasher is on it’s own switch. Make sure that the power is still on to the dishwasher. There is no electrical concern with the other checks as there is no danger of being shocked.

If the dishwasher has power, look inside the dishwasher and see if there is any evidence of a clog. This is generally easy to determine by running your hand carefully around the bottom of the dishwasher near the drain. Most dishwashers are designed to not start if a clog is present. This prevents the motor from burning itself out. If you find a clog, clear it out and run a full cleaning cycle with nothing in the dishwasher. This will clear any remaining debris. It is not recommended to use drain cleaner unless checking with the manufacturer first. (more…)