Jenn-Air dishwasher not starting
Common reasons your Jenn-Air dishwasher is not starting
The most common reasons your Jenn-Air dishwasher is not starting are a defective electronic control board, damaged user interface control or a stripped wire connector.
40% of the time it's the
Electronic Control Board25% of the time it's the
User Interface Control8% of the time it's the
Wire Connector27% of the time it's the
Something else
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Most common repairs needed to fix a Jenn-Air 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.
Why is my Jenn-Air dishwasher not starting?
First, follow the tips in the owner’s manual for your dishwasher to find out why it won’t run a cycle.
If those basic troubleshooting tips don’t help, check for an item stuck underneath the mushroom float for the overfill switch. The dishwasher won’t start filling if that float is stuck in the up position.
Remove an item it you find it stuck underneath there.
Here’s a DIY troubleshooting video that provides additional expert tips on finding out why your dishwasher won’t start a cycle:
Following the steps in this diagnostic video may help you find and fix the cause of your dishwasher not starting the cycle.
Test the dishwasher door switch
A faulty door switch will keep the dishwasher from starting. If the door switch is stuck in the "open" position, the dishwasher won't start because it's waiting for you to shut the door—even if you did shut the door.
To test the door switch, check the resistance through the door switch with a multimeter. Disconnect electrical power to the dishwasher by shutting off the house circuit breaker or unplugging the dishwasher. Remove the Torx screws from the outer edges of the inner door panel. Support the outer door panel with one hand as you remove the final screws so it doesn't fall.
Separate the outer door panel and the control panel slightly from the inner door panel, and rest the outer panel on the floor while you disconnect the user interface control wire harness. Pull off the outer door panel and control panel.
Release the door latch assembly from the inner door panel and unplug the wire harness from the door switch. Carefully trip the door switch by pushing this lever, keeping your fingers away from the spring and latch. Press the door switch lever to simulate a closed door that's engaging the door switch.
With the multimeter set to check resistance, place a meter probe against each of the door switch prongs. You should measure near 0 ohms of resistance, or continuity, through a working door switch. If you measure infinite resistance, replace the door switch because it's defective.
Other causes for your JennAir dishwasher not starting a cycle
If you measure continuity through the dishwasher door switch, it’s likely that a defective control board or a wiring failure elsewhere in the dishwasher is keeping the dishwasher from starting.
Schedule dishwasher repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician examine and repair your dishwasher.
What to expect when you experience a Jenn-Air 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.
A JennAir dishwasher that refuses to initiate washing can be linked to a failed door latch or control board glitch. That leaves dishes stacking up in the sink. Rather than giving up on automation, contact dishwasher fix near me. Once the cause is identified and repaired, your JennAir can resume its easy dish-handling role.
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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.
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Luke was great. Polite and knowledgeable even though the dishwasher was older than he!
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Daniel went above and beyond to fix my dish washer. Very pleasant to deal with.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Glossary Terms
A dishwasher sump is located at the bottom of the dishwasher, serving as a collection point for water during the wash cycle. It houses the main pump and filter, facilitating the recirculation and drainage of water, essential for the cleaning process.
A dishwasher turbidity sensor is an advanced feature that measures the level of food particles and debris in the water, allowing the dishwasher to adjust the wash cycle length and water usage for optimal cleaning efficiency.
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.
An astragal is a molding or strip that covers or seals the gap between the edges of a pair of doors or windows. Its primary functions are to provide a weather seal, improve security, and improve the aesthetic appearance of door and window assemblies.
Additional possible JennAir dishwasher symptoms you may experience
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