A dishwasher that's dead when you press start — or that lights up but never runs — usually has a simple reason, and several are things you can rule out in under a minute. Here's the order a tech checks them, starting with the ones that cost nothing.
A dishwasher won't start unless the door latch is fully engaged — the machine has to know the door is shut and locked. A dish sticking out or a weak latch is the #1 "won't start" cause.
Check it: Push the door firmly until it clicks, and make sure no tall item (a pot handle, a cutting board) is blocking it from closing all the way.
Most dishwashers have a control-lock button that disables the panel so buttons do nothing when pressed. It's easy to turn on by accident.
Check it: Look for a Lock or child-lock button (often a padlock icon) and hold it a few seconds to turn it off. Check your model's panel for a "Locked" indicator.
If a delay-start option is active, the dishwasher waits hours before running, so it looks like it never started.
Check it: Cancel any delay/timer option and start a fresh cycle.
Dishwashers are usually on their own breaker or a switch under the sink. A tripped breaker or flipped switch leaves the panel dark or unresponsive.
Check it: Check the breaker and any wall switch near the sink. If the panel is totally dark, this is the likely cause.
The door switch that confirms the latch, or the control board itself, can fail so the machine won't start even with a shut door and good power.
Check it: If the door latches, power is good, and nothing's locked but it still won't start, this is the tech diagnosis and repair.
Almost always repair — most of the time it's free (latch, lock, delay, breaker), and a door switch or control repair is well under the cost of a new dishwasher plus installation.
In Middle Tennessee or the Baton Rouge area? We'll come to you, same-day. Anywhere else in the U.S.? Send a 10-second video, a real technician tells you exactly what's wrong for $50 (credited toward the repair), and we ship you the exact part. 24/7 — text, call, or upload anytime.
If the panel lights up but nothing runs, check that the door is fully latched, the control lock isn't on, and a delay-start isn't set. If all of those are clear, the door switch or control board needs a tech.
Turn it off at the breaker (or the switch under the sink) for a minute, then back on — that clears many control glitches. Then make sure the door clicks shut, the control lock is off, and no delay timer is set.
Often nothing (a setting or latch) or an affordable door switch. Your $50 Quick Check credits toward the repair if a part is needed.