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Having an LG dishwasher that will turn on is one of the most frustrating problems. Fortunately, it can sometimes be tracked down and fixed easily.
Generally speaking, an issue with your LG dishwasher not turning on can be traced to the thermal fuse. It is designed to shut off the dishwasher when it overheats but if it is short-circuiting, it doesn’t allow the power to get to the dishwasher.
You may find that there are some specific issues that are associated with your LG dishwasher that can affect its ability to operate. Some of these may be associated with getting to the dishwasher and at other times, it could be a setting that stops the dishwasher from running.
We will take a look at some of the most common reasons why an LG dishwasher will not turn on. You can then look down through the list or perhaps try some of the more specific options that are listed below.
The first thing to check if your LG dishwasher is not turning on is if it is getting any power. There are a number of issues that could result in no power getting to the dishwasher, including the following:
Circuit Breaker – Check the breaker panel and see if the circuit breaker has tripped. This may happen if there is a short in the wiring somewhere or if too many appliances are running on the same circuit breaker.
Faulty Receptacle – Although we may think of the receptacle as being something that never experiences problems, it can fail and at times, may need to be replaced. A simple electrical tester will tell you if the receptacle is hot.
Wiring – There are times when wiring may get loose, especially if it wasn’t installed properly. You can look at the wiring by opening the panel but make sure that you turn the power off before doing any close inspections.
If the wiring did come loose, you can simply use a wire nut to put it back together. It may be necessary to strip some additional wire to ensure that it stays in place.
If you aren’t comfortable working with electricity, contact an electrician to care for this issue. Electricity is dangerous and potentially could lead to fatal accidents so be careful.
Too Many Appliances – If there are too many appliances running on the same circuit, it could cause the circuit breaker to trip. Some common appliances that may be running on the same circuit as a dishwasher include toaster ovens, blenders, or even a countertop microwave.
If you must use those other appliances on the same circuit, don’t use them at the same time as the dishwasher. It is always best to have a dedicated circuit for the dishwasher and other large appliances.
Child Lock – If the child lock is turned on, the power will not come on unless you start operating the dishwasher with the door open. You will see a ‘CL’ on the digital readout if the lock is engaged.
You can turn off the child lock by holding down two marked buttons simultaneously for two seconds. You can still use the child lock by turning it on with the door open, selecting your cycle, and pushing the power button. The dishwasher should start when the door closes.
Thermal Fuse – The purpose of the thermal fuse is to stop the dishwasher from operating when it overheats. The fuse is designed not to allow electricity to pass through to the unit if overheating is detected.
You can check the thermal fuse with a multimeter. Turn the power off to the dishwasher and remove the fuse to test it. It can be easily replaced.
Open Door – If the door to the dishwasher is open, it will not turn on. Typically, you will still see lights on the control panel but it will act as if it is not getting power when you push the power button.
If the door is closed tightly, it could be a faulty latch or switch. You can test the switch with a multimeter once it has been removed. You may also be able to work the switch manually but be cautious because it can turn the dishwasher on while the door is open.
Bad Motor – If you were hearing a humming sound while the machine was operating and now it is not working, you may need to replace the motor. The motor can be tested with a multimeter
Control Board – If the control board has gone bad, it can be replaced but it cannot be repaired. Unfortunately, you can’t test the control board but you can visually inspect it.
Remove the control board and look carefully with a magnifying glass to see if there are any burned areas on the board. You should also check the power ribbon for any small cracks or other issues.
On older model LG dishwashers, there may be a timer instead of a control board. Both the timers and control boards can be replaced easily.
Touchpad – If some of the buttons are working or if lights are lit but others are not, it may be an issue with the touchpad assembly. You can replace the assembly but you may also be able to clean it.
After turning off the power and removing the touchpad assembly, you can clean it with a pencil eraser. Be careful you don’t damage the assembly. Do not use an ink pen eraser because they are harder.
You may also see some hairline cracks in the cable. A magnifying glass can help you to determine if there are any additional problems that would stop the touchpad assembly from working.
Perform a Reset – If all else fails and the dishwasher is still not operating, you can try to reset the dishwasher. This is done by turning off the power to the dishwasher at the circuit panel or unplugging it from the wall for at least one minute.
When you restart the power, it may reengage the dishwasher and start it running again.
If you are experiencing a problem where your dishwasher is powered but it will turn on, there may be a number of issues that can cause it. Typically, you can tell you are getting power because some of the lights will be working on the touchpads.
One of the most common reasons why the dishwasher won’t turn on, even though there is power is that the door is open. Keep in mind that the door may be physically closed but if the sensor or latch is bad, the dishwasher might think it is open.
You can test the latch by trying to pull the dishwasher open without engaging the latch. If it opens, then the latch should be replaced. The door switch can be tested manually or you can remove it and test continuity with a multimeter.
Another reason why your dishwasher may not be starting is if the thermal fuse is shorting out. The thermal fuse keeps the dishwasher from overheating and if it detects hot conditions, it will break the connection.
Turn off the power to the dishwasher and remove the thermal fuse. You can then test continuity using a multimeter. If issues are detected, the fuse can be replaced.
If the motor is going bad or has failed, the dishwasher will not run. In many cases, a bad motor will make a humming noise when it is trying to operate. If you hear a humming noise, clicking, or a loud screeching noise from the motor, it should be repaired or replaced.
Finally, you should check the child lock. If the child lock is turned on, the dishwasher is designed not to run. It is a safety feature that should not be circumvented.
Either turn the child lock off if there are no children in the home or check the manual to see how to operate the child lock properly.
Typically, a problem with an LG dishwasher not starting can be traced to a problem with the power. Perhaps the circuit has tripped or the receptacle needs replaced. You might also have loose wires that are causing the dishwasher to not operate.
There may be other issues leading to this problem, and you can check the following:
Control Panel – If you have power but no lights and the dishwasher is not operating, it may be a problem with the control board. Remove the control board and look at it carefully with a magnifying glass.
If you see any burned areas on the control board or if there are cracks in the power ribbon, the control board should be replaced.
Thermal Fuse – If the thermal fuse is shorting or if it detects high temperatures in the dishwasher, it will not allow power to get to the unit. You can check the thermal fuse with a multimeter and replace it if necessary.
Touchpad Assembly – If there is a problem with the touchpad assembly then pressing a button will not send a signal to tell the dishwasher to start. You can remove the touchpad assembly and clean it.
A pencil eraser is used to clean the touchpad assembly and you can also use rubbing alcohol to clean the connectors. Be very careful not to damage the assembly while cleaning it. If any issues are seen, the assembly can be replaced.
Open Door – If the door is open or if the door switch/latch is malfunctioning, the dishwasher will not operate. You can check both the switch and the latch with a multimeter and replace if necessary.
A problem with an LG dishwasher Time flashing and not starting may be two separate issues. In many cases, however, it is associated with a power problem.
The first thing to check is if there is an error code associated with the problem. If you see an error code, check the manual for more information.
If a power outage resulted in the time flashing and now the dishwasher won’t start, a power surge may have damaged some electronic components, such as the control panel, touchpad, or thermal switch.
It is difficult to test the control panel or touchpad, so you may just need to remove them and visually inspect them for any damage. Use a magnifying glass so you can see if any burned areas exist.
The thermal switch can be tested for continuity and replaced if necessary.
LG dishwashers are designed to make an audible beep if something is wrong. It could be an internal error or perhaps a user error.
There are multiple sensors inside of the dishwasher that keep track of everything from the water temperature to the water level. If it detects anything is wrong, it may stop the machine from operating and make a beep to alert you to the issue.
Check each of the sensors to see if you can determine what may be causing the problem. Typical issues include debris around the sensor or the sensor being stuck in position.
If the unit is beeping periodically, such as every 30 seconds, it may mean that the door came unlatched during a cycle. It could also mean that the door switch or latch has malfunctioned.
Try pushing the door closed and if it is closed, you can check the switch and latch to see if they are operating properly. Those items can be replaced fairly easily.
At times, a button may become stuck that causes the dishwasher to beep and not operate. You may need to remove the touchpad assembly and clean it with a pencil eraser. You can also clean the contacts with a little rubbing alcohol.
Finally, doing a hard reset by turning off the power for one minute and then turning it back on can often correct the issue.
Do you have a problem with your LG dishwasher starting and stopping? This may be part of the normal operation. LG dishwashers will pause between cycles.
If it is not a part of normal operation, check for any error codes that may exist. You can search the manual for information about error codes and how they can be repaired.
If you are dealing with a faulty door latch or switch, it may be telling the dishwasher that the door is coming open periodically. This often happens when there is pressure in the dishwasher that pushes against the door.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on September 16, 2021.
You can check the door switch and latch manually and the door switch can be checked with a multimeter. They should be replaced if necessary.
When the thermal fuse is shorting out but has not yet broken, it may cause the dishwasher to start and stop. The thermal fuse is designed to break the path of electricity if high temperatures are detected. If it is shorting out, the flow of electricity may start and stop.
When you’re dishwasher says CL, it means the child lock is on. The fact that it won’t start is by design.
This is not an error code.
You can turn off the child lock by simultaneously pressing the two buttons that are marked with the child lock icon. Hold the buttons for 3 seconds and the CL should disappear.
In order to operate the child lock properly, you can open the dishwasher, press power, and then choose your cycle or any additional options.
With the door still open, hold the spray and rinse button simultaneously for three seconds until CL appears on the display. Those two buttons may differ and will be marked on your unit.
The cycle will start when the door is closed.
When a dishwasher beeps twice, it is indicating that a problem exists. It may not necessarily mean that something is broken, but it does mean that something needs to change before it will operate properly.
Check for an error code and if you see one, look in the manual to see what it means. If the error is CL, it means the child lock is on and the dishwasher will not start unless you operate it appropriately along with the child lock.
Sometimes, when the door pops open, the dishwasher will make a beeping noise and will not run. It may also be a problem with the door latch or switch that is falsely telling the dishwasher that the door is open.
If all else fails, perform a hard reset by turning off the power to the dishwasher and restarting it after one minute.
The dishwasher countdown is a convenient feature but if it is working but the dishwasher is not starting, it can be a big problem.
One of the common reasons why this occurs is because of the thermal fuse. If it detects hot temperatures or if it is shorting out, it will not allow the dishwasher to start. Essentially, it stops the flow of power to the dishwasher.
At times, the control board may malfunction and need to be replaced. You can visually inspect the control board with a magnifying glass. If any burned areas are detected, the control panel should be replaced.
Finally, if the water coming into the dishwasher is not hot enough, it may not allow the dishwasher to start. The water coming into the dishwasher should be at least 120°F but not more than 160°F. You can make adjustments at the water heater if necessary.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on September 16, 2021.
ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on September 16, 2021.
