KitchenAid dishwasher door not closing

Common reasons your KitchenAid dishwasher door is not closing

The most common reasons your KitchenAid dishwasher door is not closing are a broken door spring, damaged door hinge or a broken door latch assembly.

54% of the time it's the
Door Spring

25% of the time it's the
Door Hinge

11% of the time it's the
Door Latch Assembly

10% of the time it's the
Something else

Most common repairs needed to fix a KitchenAid dishwasher

Door Spring Replacement

A broken door spring can jam against the door hinge and prevent the dishwasher from closing. You typically can see a broken door spring without disconnecting electrical power to the dishwasher and pulling it out of the cabinet slightly. Pulling the dishwasher out of the cabinet is a task best left to a professional. When you suspect that a broken door spring is preventing your dishwasher door from closing, have a Sears Home Services Repair Expert fix the problem.

How to replace a dishwasher door spring

Door Hinge Replacement

If the dishwasher door is not closing and you see a bent door hinge, you’ll likely need to have a Sears Home Services Repair Expert visit your home and fix the dishwasher. A bent door spring will jam against the base of the dishwasher and you won’t be able to shut the door. The technician will need to pull the dishwasher slightly out of the cabinet and replace the bent door hinge. Both door hinges are typically replaced at once to keep the door operating smoothly.

What are the main parts of a dishwasher

Door Latch Assembly Replacement

When you find that the door is not closing on your dishwasher, check for a broken door latch assembly. A strike at the top of the dishwasher opening fits into a slotted catch in the door latch assembly. Spring-loaded clips inside the catch of door latch assembly grab the strike and hold the door shut during the dishwashing cycle. A broken door latch assembly won’t allow the strike to enter the catch so the door won’t shut properly and the cycle won’t start. Schedule a Sears Home Services Repair Expert to fix your dishwasher when a broken door latch won’t let the door shut properly.

How to replace a dishwasher door latch

What to expect when you experience a KitchenAid dishwasher door not closing issue

How is the door not closing problem fixed?

Correcting most door not closing problems usually involves replacing the door spring, door hinge or door latch assembly. 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 door that is not closing

When the dishwasher door is not closing 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 door not closing 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.

KitchenAid Dishwasher Won’t Close Troubleshooting

When your KitchenAid dishwasher won’t close, check the door strike for problems. If the door strike is damaged or bent, it won’t slide into the door switch catch to close and latch the door. Adjust or replace the door strike if necessary so the dishwasher door will close properly and the dishwasher will start the cycle.

If the door strike is okay, shut off power to the dishwasher by flipping the power switch beside the sink, unplugging the dishwasher power cord or shutting off the house circuit breaker for the dishwasher. Check for debris inside the door latch assembly that could be preventing the strike from sliding in and engaging the latch assembly to keep the dishwasher door shut. Clear out debris using a bamboo skewer or similar item and see if the door shuts properly. Restore power and see if the door closes properly and the cycle starts.

Other problems that can keep a KitchenAid dishwasher door from closing include:

Broken door latch assembly.
Loose or broken door hinges.
Improper installation causing the door to rub against the bottom of the kitchen counter.
Dishwasher not level.

If the door rubs on the bottom of the kitchen counter, use the installation instructions as a guide to properly position the dishwasher in the kitchen cabinet so the door swings shut freely.

Use the installation guide instructions to check the levelness of your KitchenAid dishwasher. Level the dishwasher cabinet by adjusting the leveling legs.

If these basic troubleshooting tips don’t help, schedule dishwasher repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician fix the problem when your KitchenAid dishwasher won’t close.

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.