How to Troubleshoot a KitchenAid Dishwasher With No Power
Dishwashers are a convenience item that appears in most households. A KitchenAid dishwasher saves time and water by washing a large quantity of items and rinsing them all at once. The most common problems with a dishwasher that will not operate are either a lack of power to the appliance or a faulty door latch.
Things You Will Need
- Large towel
- Small flat screwdriver
Tip
Place a towel in front of the dishwasher while testing the latch with the door open to protect the floor from water that may exit the dishwasher from the spray arms. Replace the door latch if the dishwasher latch adjustment does not allow the dishwasher to run but holding the screwdriver in the latch does.
Warning
Do not place hands or any objects in the dishwasher while testing the door latch. The door latch is a safety feature so that moving parts do not injure persons.
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Check the circuit breaker in the breaker box that controls power to the dishwasher. Press a tripped breaker in the on position. A breaker may become weak with added appliances on it and need replacement. Turn the dishwasher on to see if it has power.
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Check the dishwasher plug to make certain it is plugged in firmly. Push the reset button on a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) plug. GCFI plugs cut power off to any appliance in the plug to ground it so that it does not short out in the case of power surges and power outages. Turn the dishwasher on to check for power.
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Place a large towel in front of the dishwasher so that it spreads out for at least 3 inches on both sides of the door. Open the dishwasher door about 4 inches and hold it in this position.
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Place a small flat screwdriver in the latch retainer on the dishwasher. This latch is depressed by a bar when the dishwasher door is shut. The latch has to be depressed for the dishwasher to operate. Turn the dishwasher on while holding the screwdriver on the latch. If the dishwasher starts, the door latch is faulty and needs adjusting or replacing.
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Turn the screw on the door latch clockwise so the latch protrudes farther from the retainer. Extending the latch can adjust it so that the dishwasher operates as normal. Close the dishwasher and turn it on. A nonworking dishwasher at this point needs a latch replacement.
The Drip Cap
- Dishwashers are a convenience item that appears in most households.
- The most common problems with a dishwasher that will not operate are either a lack of power to the appliance or a faulty door latch.
- Press a tripped breaker in the on position.
- Turn the dishwasher on to check for power.
- This latch is depressed by a bar when the dishwasher door is shut.
References
Resources
Writer Bio
Mary Lougee has been writing for over 10 years. She holds a Bachelor's Degree with a major in Management and a double minor in accounting and computer science. She loves writing about careers for busy families as well as family oriented planning, meals and activities for all ages.
Photo Credits
- spoons, plugs and knifes image by terex from Fotolia.com
- spoons, plugs and knifes image by terex from Fotolia.com
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