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  1. Repair
  2. Frigidaire
  3. Frigidaire Dishwasher
  4. Dishwasher not starting

Frigidaire dishwasher not starting

Common reasons your Frigidaire dishwasher is not starting

The most common reasons your Frigidaire dishwasher is not starting are a defective electronic control board, damaged user interface control or a stripped wire connector.

  • 31%

    31% of the time it's the
    Electronic Control Board

  • 17%

    17% of the time it's the
    User Interface Control

  • 16%

    16% of the time it's the
    Wire Connector

  • 36%

    36% of the time it's the
    Something else

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    Most common repairs needed to fix a Frigidaire dishwasher

    Electronic Control Board Replacement

    When your dishwasher is not starting a cycle, a defective electronic control board could be causing the problem. The control board will freeze up and fail to start a cycle when its internal memory and logic is corrupted. A failed internal electronic relay or bad electronic part on the circuit board could be causing the control board to freeze up and not start a cycle. Determining whether a control board is defective is difficult. Have a Sears Home Services technician diagnose and repair your dishwasher when it won’t start a cycle.


    User Interface Control Replacement

    When your dishwasher is not starting, a damaged user interface control could be causing the problem. The user interface control connects to the electronic control board through a wire harness and sends signals to the control board to help control the dishwashing cycle. A bad start key on the user interface control can prevent the dishwasher from beginning the cycle. Also, a stuck key on the user interface control can cause the electronic control board to stop all dishwasher operations and the dishwasher won’t work until the damaged user interface control is fixed. Have a Sears Home Services Repair Expert visit your home and replace the user interface control if it’s damaged.

    Wire Connector Replacement

    When your dishwasher is not starting, a stripped wire connector between the user interface control and electronic control board could be causing the problem. The wire harness between the electronic control board and user interface control must also stay connected to keep the dishwasher working. The control board will stop the dishwasher and keep it from starting when that wire harness is damaged or disconnected. When your dishwasher isn’t working, have a Sears Home Services Repair Expert visit your home and fix the problem.

    What to expect when you experience a Frigidaire dishwasher not starting issue

    How is the not starting problem fixed?

    Correcting most not starting problems usually involves replacing the electronic control board, user interface control or wire connector. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.

    Sears Home Services recommendations for a dishwasher that is not starting

    When the dishwasher is not starting it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of dishwasher failures.

    What to look out for with a dishwasher not starting diagnosis

    Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your dishwasher problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.

    Frigidaire Dishwasher Has Power but Won’t Start Troubleshooting

    When your Frigidaire dishwasher has power but won’t start, check the control settings to see if the Control Lock feature is enabled. Turn off the Control Lock if you find it on. This may enable you to start the dishwasher.

    The next issue to check when your Frigidaire dishwasher has power but won’t start is the door latch. The dishwasher won’t start if the door isn’t latched securely shut. Press in firmly on the dishwasher door to close it completely. If the door latch is damaged or broken, you’ll need to have a Sears Home Services technician replace it.

    Another issue that will prevent a Frigidaire dishwasher from starting even though it has power is a stuck overfill float. When the float is stuck in the “up” position, the dishwasher won’t fill to begin the cycle. Check for an item such as a fork stuck under the overfill float and remove the item so the dishwasher fills and starts the cycle properly.

    If these basic troubleshooting tips don’t help you resolve the issue when your Frigidaire dishwasher has power but won’t start, have a Sears Home Services technician visit your home and examine the dishwasher. Our experienced service techs can fix the problem and get your Frigidaire dishwasher going again in no time.

    What to do When Your Frigidaire Gallery Dishwasher Won’t Start but Has Power

    If your Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher won’t start but has power, push in on the dishwasher door to make sure it’s fully shut. The dishwasher won’t start if the control detects that the door is open on a Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher. If the dishwasher starts after pressing in on the door, then your starting issue is resolved in one simple troubleshooting steps.

    If the dishwasher door latch assembly is damaged, you’ll need to have that component replaced. Schedule service through Sears Home Services and we’ll send a technician to your home to replace the door latch assembly in your Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher.

    Check the control settings when your Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher won’t start but has power. Most Gallery models have a Child Lock that prevents little hands from fiddling with the controls. Disable the Child Lock feature and you should be able to start the dishwasher.

    Another problem that will prevent a Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher from starting is the mushroom overfill float mechanism being stuck in “up” position. The dishwasher won’t fill to start the cycle when that float is stuck. Look for an item such as a lid or piece of silverware under the mushroom float and remove the item if you find one.

    Other problems that can occur when your Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher won’t start but has power include a failed inlet water valve, bad user interface control board, faulty control panel and a defective electronic control board. Have a Sears Home Services technician diagnose and repair your Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher when it won’t start even though it has power.

    When you need Frigidaire dishwasher repair, trust the pros at Sears Appliance Repair to fix the problem right.

    What our customers say about us

    With more than 1.3 Million 5 Star Reviews, you don't have to take our word for it

    Thorough

    James called to give an estimated arrival time. He was professional and personable. He had 2 professional ideas of the problem and found 1 was correct, but he didn't stop there. He did a thorough check of the appliance. 1 small part was needed. He ordered the part to my house. Fortunately, he was able to schedule for the next week, just before Thanksgiving. As before, he called ahead, arrived and quickly fixed the problem. My appliance is working perfectly.


    Kirsten A, Oxford, PA

    Service Call

    Luke was great. Polite and knowledgeable even though the dishwasher was older than he!


    James G, Hillsboro, MO

    Daniel

    Daniel went above and beyond to fix my dish washer. Very pleasant to deal with.


    Paul F, Hghlnds Ranch, CO

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    Glossary Terms

    Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. It contrasts with soft water, which has lower concentrations of these minerals.

    A furnace flame sensor is a safety device designed to detect the presence of a flame when the furnace is on, ensuring that gas flows only when it is ignited to prevent dangerous gas leaks.

    A microwave diode is an electrical component that allows current to flow in one direction only, playing a crucial role in converting incoming electrical power into the microwave energy that cooks the food.

    A microwave sensor is a technologically advanced feature in modern microwave ovens that measures vapor (steam) emitted by the food, adjusting the cooking time and power levels automatically for optimal results.

    Additional possible Frigidaire dishwasher symptoms you may experience