Bosch Dishwasher Won’t Start Wash Cycle? (here’s why & what to do)

There are several possible reasons why your Bosch dishwasher won’t start a wash cycle. Some can be resolved in a few seconds while others might be more technical.

If your Bosch dishwasher won’t start a wash cycle, keep reading. In this article we have listed all of the possible reasons why your appliance won’t start a wash cycle and the remedies too.

Wash Cycle Won’t Start On Bosch Dishwasher

There are many possible causes for this which include;

• No Power Supply
• Dishwasher Door Not Fully Closed
• Child Lock Activated
• Dishwasher Stuck On A Previous Cycle
• Incorrect Cycle Selected
• Problems With The Water Supply
• Blocked Filter
• Issues With The Door Hinges
• Faulty Control Board
• Faulty Components

Let’s take a look at each now:

No Power Supply

The first thing to check is that there’s power getting to your dishwasher. A lack of power could be caused by;

• Power cable Unplugged
  Check that the power cable from the dishwasher is plugged into the wall socket.
• Wall Socket Switched Off Or Faulty
  Check that the wall socket is working and the power is switched on.
• Power Cut/Outage
  Check that there is electricity being supplied to your home. A power cut or power outage could be the reason for no power reaching your dishwasher.
• Tripped Circuit Breaker
  Check that the circuit breaker that your dishwasher is connected to hasn’t been tripped. 

Dishwasher Door Not Closed Fully

Your Bosch dishwasher will not start if it detects that the door is not fully closed. This is a safety feature which prevents your home from becoming flooded.

Once the door latch engages correctly, the switch completes a circuit which allows the control board to start a wash cycle. If there is something obstructing the door from closing fully, or the latch is faulty and doesn’t complete the circuit, the dishwasher will not start.

To solve this you will need to ensure there is nothing preventing the door from fully closing (large plates, pan handles etc). Then examine the door latch assembly if it shows any signs of damage or there’s no continuity when using a multimeter, you’ll need to replace the door latch.

Child Lock Activated

The child lock is another safety feature that is designed to prevent any tampering with the buttons on your dishwasher. If the child lock has been activated, the appliance will not start until the child lock has been deactivated.

Consult your handbook for model specific instructions on how to deactivate the child lock on your appliance.

Bosch Dishwasher Stuck On A Previous Cycle

If this happens it’s usually caused by a glitch which can be solved by performing a hard reset. To do this all you need to do is;

1. Remove the dishwasher’s plug from the wall socket
2. Wait 10 minutes
3. Replace the plug into the wall socket
4. Turn the dishwasher on

All previous cycles and programmes should have been cleared now and the dishwasher should start as normal.

Incorrect Cycle Selected

You should check the control panel to see if you have selected an incorrect cycle. In some cases, you might not have any cycle selected. The reason why your dishwasher won’t start could also be because the delay start has been activated or the child lock has been activated.

You will need to consult your user manual for specific instructions on how to remove the delay start or the child lock on your dishwasher.

You should also check for any error codes displayed on the control panel. If there is an error code present, it could prevent the appliance from starting. You will need to refer to your user manual to find out what that particular error code signifies and also how to resolve this issue.

Water Supply Issues

In some cases, your dishwasher will turn on but doesn’t fill with water. You will need to check the inlet hose on your dishwasher for twists or kinks and that the water supply to your home is connected and running freely.

If the inlet hose and water supply are both OK, it could be that the dishwasher’s inlet valve is faulty. If this is the problem it is best tackled by an expert. We recommend contacting Bosch if the appliance is still under warranty or a qualified electrical engineer if not.

Blocked Filter

The filter traps any food particles and stops them from resettling on the now clean dishes. Over time the filter can become clogged and this can prevent the dishwasher from draining correctly.

You will need to remove the filter and give it a good clean using warm water and a brush. Remove any trapped food particles, grease, etc before replacing the filter.

Door Hinge Issues

In some cases the door hinges can become misaligned and all that you need to do is make sure they are straightened up. Other problems with the door hinges can arise if they have become worn.

You might need to replace the door hinge assembly on your dishwasher before this issue can be resolved. This might be a job for an expert.

Faulty Control Board

The control board is like the dishwasher’s brain, it controls the power flow to the various components at the correct level at the right time. If the control board develops a fault, there might not be enough power to start the dishwasher.

If the control board is faulty, it will need to be replaced.

Faulty Components

If you’ve tried everything else, and the dishwasher still won’t start, it is most likely due to a faulty component. There are a few components that could cause this issue but the main contenders are;

• The Thermal Fuse
  The thermal fuse blows if the dishwasher overheats. It is a safety feature designed to prevent serious damage to the appliance. If it blows, the dishwasher will not start until a new thermal fuse has been fitted.
• Faulty Timer
  The timer on a dishwasher controls the power supply to many of the components that make the dishwasher run. If the timer develops a fault, there might not be enough power to start the appliance. You will need to replace the timer to solve this problem.

SEE ALSO: Bosch Dishwasher Can’t Change Cycle? (here’s why & how to fix)

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