Dishwasher not starting: what our engineers find
These figures come from NAC's own repair records: 244 dishwasher jobs our engineers attended for this fault. Here is what they found, what fixed it and what it typically cost.
When a dishwasher will not start, there is no single cause that stands out yet, but engineers sometimes find a fault with the door lock. If the lock is broken, damaged or losing its connection, the machine does not sense that the door is shut and will not begin a cycle. Now and then the lock itself is fine but the door is not closing properly because the dishwasher is not level or has shifted in its housing.
Engineers also sometimes find a blockage. Broken glass or other debris can jam the drain pump, and a clogged chamber that senses the water level can make the machine fill wrongly and refuse to run. Less obvious causes they sometimes find include a faulty water inlet valve, a fault on the main control board, or a broken start button on that board.
An engineer will usually watch the machine try to start, check that the door closes and latches properly, and test the lock, the pump and the water supply. Blockages can often be cleared on the spot, and repositioning or levelling the machine can sort out door problems. A new door lock or control board often has to be ordered and fitted at a second visit.
Written by our engineers from these jobs.
- Jobs attended
- 244
- Confirmed repairs
- 128
- 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
- 50%
- about half of our repairs
- Typical total paid by customers
- £104 to £187
- including parts and VAT, from 125 repairs
No single cause has enough confirmed repairs behind it yet to show for this fault.
Error codes we see with this fault
- Miele F11: Drain fault: the appliance is not draining.
- Miele F70: Anti-flood protection activated: water detected in the base.
- Neff E15: Anti-flood protection activated: water detected in the base.
- Neff E25: Drain fault, often a blocked drain pump; also seen with water in the base.
- Samsung 4C: Water inlet fault: no water entering the appliance.
About the price. £104 to £187 is the typical total paid by customers, including parts and VAT: the middle half of what customers paid on 125 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