Kenmore Elite dishwasher not working

Common reasons your Kenmore Elite dishwasher is not working

The most common reasons your Kenmore Elite dishwasher is not working 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

Most common repairs needed to fix a Kenmore Elite dishwasher

Electronic Control Board Replacement

A dishwasher that is not working could have a defective electronic control board. The control board will freeze up and fail to start a cycle or continue working 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 continue working properly. Determining whether a control board is defective is difficult. Have a Sears Home Services technician diagnose and repair your dishwasher when it is not working.

How to replace a dishwasher electronic control board

User Interface Control Replacement

When the dishwasher is not working, 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 stuck key on the user interface control can cause the electronic control board to stop the cycle 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.

How to replace a dishwasher user interface control

Wire Connector Replacement

When your dishwasher is not working, a stripped wire connector could be causing the problem. Several different wire connectors inside the dishwasher can keep the dishwasher from working if wires get disconnected. The wires inside the junction box must stay connected for the dishwasher to get power from the power cord. The wire harnesses on the electronic control board and user interface control must also stay connected to keep the dishwasher working. When your dishwasher isn’t working, have a Sears Home Services Repair Expert visit your home and fix the problem.

How to repair broken or damaged wires

What to expect when you experience a Kenmore Elite dishwasher not working issue

How is the not working problem fixed?

Correcting most not working 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 working

When the dishwasher is not working 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 working 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.

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

Repair Dishwasher Resources

How Does a Rinse Aid Dispenser Work?

7 min readNov. 29

Learn how a rinse aid dispenser works in a dishwasher and how to troubleshoot problems.

DishwasherAppliance 101

How Does a Dishwasher Air Gap Work?

5 min readNov. 27

Learn how an air gap works in the drain system of a dishwasher.

DishwasherAppliance 101

How Does a Portable Dishwasher Work?

7 min readNov. 13

Learn how a portable dishwasher works.

DishwasherAppliance 101

How Does a Recirculation Pump Work?

5 min readNov. 13

Learn how a recirculation pump works in a dishwasher and how to troubleshoot pump problems.

DishwasherAppliance 101

Glossary Terms

What is Hard Water?

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.

What is a French-Door Refrigerator?

A French-door refrigerator features two doors that open side-by-side on the top section for the refrigerator compartment, with a bottom freezer drawer, combining style, efficiency, and easy access to both refrigerated and frozen goods.

What is a Furnace?

A furnace is a major appliance that heats air distributed throughout a home or building via a ductwork system.

What is a Furnace Blower Motor?

A furnace blower motor is a crucial component of a home heating system that drives the fan responsible for circulating air throughout the HVAC system and into the living spaces of the home.