Dishwasher controls not working: what our engineers find
These figures come from NAC's own repair records: 97 dishwasher jobs our engineers attended for this fault in the last 12 months. Here is what they found, what fixed it and what it typically cost.
When a dishwasher's buttons stop responding, or the display goes dark, flickers or won't let you choose a programme, engineers sometimes find that the wiring running through the door has worn and broken. That wiring flexes every time the door opens and closes. At other times the fault is in the control board behind the buttons and display, which can fail and may show signs of water damage.
Engineers also sometimes find a simpler cause. A button may have slipped inside or stuck pressed in, or the plastic housing that holds the board may have cracked or come apart, so the board moves away from the button when you press it.
An engineer tests the buttons and display and checks the wiring between the door and the main controls for breaks. A loose or stuck button can often be refitted or adjusted there and then. Where wiring or a board needs replacing, the part often has to be ordered and fitted at a second visit. Once it is in, the engineer runs the dishwasher to confirm the controls and programmes work properly. If damaged wiring is found, you may be advised to leave the dishwasher unplugged and unused until it is repaired, as it may not be safe.
Written by our engineers from these jobs.
- Jobs attended
- 97
- in the last 12 months
- Confirmed repairs
- 35
- This is not a success rate. Jobs inside their 60-day window, jobs still being classified, jobs held for review and visits that didn't end in a repair aren't counted.
- Fixed at the first appointment
- 20%
- about 1 in 5 of our repairs
- Typical total paid by customers
- £108 to £243
- including parts and VAT, from 32 repairs
No single cause has enough confirmed repairs behind it yet to show for this fault.
About the price. £108 to £243 is the typical total paid by customers, including parts and VAT: the middle half of what customers paid on 32 of these repairs. Repairs paid for by manufacturers and insurers aren't counted, because that work is charged at contract rates. It's a guide, not a quote. Your engineer confirms a fixed price before any work starts.
Before you check anything yourself
- Switch the dishwasher off and unplug it, or turn it off at the isolator switch, before you touch anything. Our guide to safely isolating an appliance walks you through it.
- If it involves the mains supply, sealed parts, or you're not confident at any point, stop and book a qualified engineer rather than risk injury or further damage.
Rather leave it to us?
- Fixed-price quote before any work starts
- Same or next-day visits where available
- UK-wide engineer coverage