A dishwasher comes in handy when cleaning loads of dishes because it saves time, energy, and water. Since it is very useful, it is annoying when your dishwasher does not work or does not start.
There are various reasons why your Whirlpool dishwasher won’t start, maybe it is not correctly plugged in or the dishwasher’s drive motor is defective.
This article outlines the most common reasons why your Whirlpool dishwasher won’t start a cycle or won’t work at all. It will also guide you on troubleshooting tips you can apply when it happens.
Whirlpool dishwasher troubleshooting tips
Follow these troubleshooting tips to identify and fix issues with your Whirlpool dishwasher:
1. Power supply connection
The main reason why your Whirlpool dishwasher won’t turn on is that it is not connected to the power supply. Alternatively, your house is experiencing a power outage or there is not enough voltage supply to the dishwasher.
You should, therefore, ensure that the dishwasher is correctly plugged into the socket and it is switched on. The wire cords should also be properly insulated to prevent short-circuiting. If the power outage lasts for a long time, contact your electrician to troubleshoot the electrical issue.
READ: How to run a diagnostic on your Kenmore dishwasher
2. The door is not properly closed
Your Whirlpool dishwasher is not starting because the door is open or it is not properly shut. You should ensure that the door latches on both sides are in good condition. Remove any obstacle that is preventing the door from properly closing.
If you try to close the door and it opens itself, then the door has a technical issue. It may be that the door latch is faulty and requires replacement. The door switch may also be faulty and is preventing the dishwasher from starting.
3. Wrong dishwasher cycle
Another reason why your Whirlpool dishwasher won’t start the cycle might be because it is set at the wrong dishwasher cycle settings. There are a few settings that may hinder your dishwasher from starting.
The Delay Start function prevents the dishwasher from starting until the set time elapses. To disable it, press the Cancel/Drain to stop it and then press Start/Resume to begin the cycle.
The Control Lock function prevents the user from accessing the control panel and requires resetting. If this is the case, you can turn it off by pressing and holding the Lock Button for four seconds until the lock light turns off.
4. Reset the Whirlpool dishwasher
Your dishwasher may be experiencing glitches and failing to turn on. Resetting the dishwasher is considered the best solution when it does not start.
You can reset the Whirlpool dishwasher by unplugging it from the power socket and switching off the circuit breaker. Wait for a minute for the dishwasher to adjust its settings before plugging it back in.
READ: Why does my Frigidaire dishwasher flash a PF code?
5. Insufficient water supply
The water supply to your dishwasher may be insufficient to start your Whirlpool dishwasher. Ensure that it is correctly connected to the house water supply and it is at the proper pressure.
There should also be no drips or leaks from the dishwasher’s water pipes. If there is any, fix them to prevent wastage of water.
6. Defective drive motor
The function of the drive motor is to transport water into the dishwasher. If it is defective, there is no way that the dishwasher will start. To know whether the drive motor is faulty, you will hear a loud humming sound coming from inside the dishwasher.
A defective drive motor needs a replacement for the dishwasher to turn on. You, therefore, need to contact a professional repair technician to replace it.
In conclusion
A dishwasher is an excellent home appliance that is set to serve you for a long time. It is therefore inconvenient when it suddenly does not start or run. There are several reasons why the Whirlpool dishwasher is not working, including insufficient water supply, electrical issues, or a faulty drive.
Some of these problems can be easily solved by resetting the dishwasher or adjusting its settings. There are other technical issues, such as a faulty door latch or drive motor that requires a professional repair technician to troubleshoot.
Once the problem has been fixed, remember to take good care of the dishwasher by servicing it every month. You should also create a cleaning routine to remove the food bits and remains that are cleaned from the dishes.