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Kenmore Elite dishwasher not starting
Common reasons your Kenmore Elite dishwasher is not starting
The most common reasons your Kenmore Elite dishwasher is not starting are a defective electronic control board, damaged user interface control or a stripped wire connector.
50% of the time it's the Electronic Control Board
25% of the time it's the User Interface Control
8% of the time it's the Wire Connector
17% of the time it's the Something else
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Most common repairs needed to fix a Kenmore Elite 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 Kenmore Elite 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.
If your Kenmore Elite dishwasher refuses to begin washing, a broken door latch or control board glitch may be responsible. Dirty plates won’t wait. Let dishwasher service repair near me pinpoint and fix the stall.
What our customers say about us
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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
Frequently Asked Questions
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Glossary Terms
A dishwasher end panel is a finishing piece installed on the exposed side of a dishwasher, primarily when it is at the end of kitchen cabinetry, to ensure a seamless and aesthetically pleasing look in the kitchen.
A dishwasher diverter motor controls the direction of water flow to different spray arms within the dishwasher, ensuring optimal water distribution during each wash cycle for thorough cleaning.
A dishwasher drawer is a compact, space-saving kitchen appliance designed to clean dishes efficiently, resembling a standard kitchen drawer that slides out for easy loading and unloading.
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.