Samsung Dishwasher Won't Start But Has Power? Fix It Now!

You press the button, the lights come on, but your Samsung dishwasher won’t start. You feel stuck, right? You’re not alone. Many people have had the same issue where the dishwasher has power, but just won’t run. The fix can be simple. It might be a door issue, a control problem, or something small that you can do yourself. In this article, you’ll learn all the simple and clear things to check and do.

Check the Door Is Closed and Latched Properly

The most common reason your Samsung dishwasher won’t start, even when it has power, is the door not being fully closed or latched. You may think it is shut, but even a tiny gap can stop the dishwasher from starting.

First, open the door and close it again with a little more pressure. Listen for the click sound. That sound tells you the latch has locked in place. If you do not hear the click, then the latch may not be working right.

Now, look closely at the latch. Is it broken, loose, or moving oddly? Try to wiggle it gently. If it moves too easily or feels loose, it could be faulty. Sometimes, food or soap buildup around the door can stop it from closing fully. Clean around the edges of the door and inside where the latch fits.

Next, check if there is anything blocking the door. Sometimes a dish rack or a tall dish can stop the door from closing all the way. Try running the dishwasher with fewer dishes or take out the top rack and test it again.

If the latch still seems off, you might need a new door latch or switch. These parts are not too expensive and can be replaced easily with a screwdriver. Just make sure the dishwasher is unplugged before doing any repair.

Also, the door switch could be the issue. This small part sends a signal to the dishwasher that the door is closed. If it is broken, the machine will not start. A technician can test it with a tool called a multimeter, or you can replace it yourself with a guide video.

Make sure door is fully closed
Listen for the latch click
Clean door edges and latch area
Check for anything blocking the door
Replace broken latch or door switch

Make Sure Control Lock Is Not Turned On

Your Samsung dishwasher has a safety feature called Control Lock or Child Lock. When this is on, the buttons won’t work, and the dishwasher won’t start even if there is power.

To check if Control Lock is on, look at the control panel. You might see a small lock icon or the word ‘LOCK’ lit up. If you see this, then the Control Lock is active. To turn it off, you need to hold down the right button for about 3 to 5 seconds. The correct button is usually ‘Heated Dry’ or ‘Child Lock’, depending on your model. You can also check your user manual for the right button.

Once you hold the button, the lock icon should disappear, and the buttons will start working again. Try starting the dishwasher now. If it works, then Control Lock was the problem all along.

Sometimes, people turn on Control Lock by accident, especially when cleaning the panel or pressing buttons too quickly. So if your dishwasher has power but doesn’t respond, always check this first.

In case the lock does not turn off, unplug the dishwasher or turn off the circuit breaker for 1 minute. Then try again. If this still doesn’t work, the control panel might be faulty and may need replacement.

Look for lock icon on control panel
Press and hold the right button for 3-5 seconds
Check manual if unsure about button
Try resetting power if lock won’t turn off
Replace control panel if it’s not responding

Inspect the Control Panel and Display Board

Even if the lights turn on, the control panel or display board might not be working fully. This can confuse many people. The dishwasher might show lights but still not start.

First, press the Start button and see if it responds. Does it beep or make any noise? If nothing happens, the Start button might be broken. Try pressing other buttons too. If some buttons work and others don’t, the panel may have partial damage.

Also, look for flickering lights, strange codes, or a blank display. These are signs the display board or touchpad is not working right.

Dirt, grease, and water from years of use can get inside the control panel and cause issues. Gently clean the panel with a dry cloth. Never use water or spray cleaner directly.

Try resetting the dishwasher. Turn it off at the circuit breaker for 1 full minute, then turn it back on. This clears any stuck settings or software errors.

If the panel still doesn’t respond, the main control board inside the door could be the problem. It may need testing with a multimeter or just replacing. A repair person can do this, or you can follow a guide if you’re comfortable using tools.

Press all buttons and see which ones respond
Look for flashing lights or error codes
Clean control panel gently with dry cloth
Reset power at breaker for 1 minute
Replace display or control board if needed

Check the Delay Start Option Is Not Turned On

Samsung dishwashers come with a feature called Delay Start. It allows you to start the dishwasher later, like in 3 hours or 6 hours. If this setting is turned on by mistake, your dishwasher won’t start right away, even though it has power.

To check this, look at the control panel. If you see numbers like ‘3h’ or ‘6h’, then Delay Start is active. You need to cancel this setting before your dishwasher will start.

To cancel Delay Start, press and hold the ‘Cancel’ or ‘Start/Reset’ button for a few seconds. Or press the Delay Start button until the time disappears or returns to ‘0h’.

Many people turn on this feature by mistake when trying to start the dishwasher. So it’s a simple thing, but very common. Always check for Delay Start if your machine has power but doesn’t begin washing.

Also, read your model’s manual to understand how the Delay feature works. Some models need a double press of the Start button, while others use a ‘Start + Delay’ combo.

If the Delay Start won’t turn off or keeps coming back, the control board might be faulty. You can try a full reset by turning off the power for 5 minutes.

Look for ‘h’ symbol or time on display
Press Delay button to return time to 0
Hold Cancel or Reset button to clear delay
Avoid pressing too many buttons quickly
Reset power to fix Delay Start errors

Test the Thermal Fuse and Drive Motor

Sometimes your Samsung dishwasher has power but won’t start because an internal part is broken. Two important parts to check are the thermal fuse and the drive motor.

The thermal fuse is a safety part that cuts power to the controls if the machine gets too hot. If this fuse blows, the lights may still come on, but the dishwasher will not run.

The drive motor is what moves the water and runs the cycles. If it fails, the machine might just sit there doing nothing after you press start.

To test the thermal fuse, you need to remove the control panel cover and use a multimeter to check if the fuse has continuity. If not, it is blown and must be replaced.

The motor is harder to check without tools. Listen closely when you press Start. If you hear a low humming sound, it means the motor is trying to work but may be stuck. Sometimes, giving the motor a gentle spin (if reachable) can help. If nothing happens at all, the motor may need replacement.

These parts are not very expensive, but it may be better to call a professional if you are not comfortable with repairs. Safety is very important.

Check thermal fuse using a multimeter
Listen for motor sound when pressing Start
Replace fuse if no power flows through it
Replace motor if it is stuck or dead
Call expert if you’re unsure or need help

Reset the Dishwasher Completely

Sometimes your Samsung dishwasher just needs a fresh start. Even if it has power, a software glitch or memory issue can stop it from running. A reset can fix this quickly.

Start by turning off the dishwasher from the circuit breaker. Leave it off for about 1 to 5 minutes. This clears the memory inside the machine.

Next, turn the power back on and try to start a cycle. If it works now, it means the dishwasher just needed a reset.

Some models also have a button reset. Press and hold the ‘Start/Cancel’ button for 3 seconds. You may hear a beep or the lights may flash. This tells you the reset was done.

Also, check for any blinking lights or codes after the reset. These can give clues if there’s another issue, like water supply or sensor problems.

If your dishwasher still won’t start after reset, go back and check all earlier points again. A full reset is often the last and easiest try before calling for service.

Turn off power for 1-5 minutes
Use the Start/Cancel button for soft reset
Listen for beeps or see light changes
Check again for error codes or lock
Reset often fixes small software bugs

Final Thoughts

If your Samsung dishwasher won’t start but has power, don’t worry. Most times, the fix is small and simple. From checking the door latch to resetting the control panel, these steps can save you time and stress. Always begin with the easiest checks first. You don’t need to be an expert to try these solutions. But if the machine still doesn’t start, it’s okay to ask for help. Fixing it early helps avoid bigger problems later. Now you know what to do with a dishwasher that lights up but won’t run.

Problem	What to Check	Fix Suggestion	Tools Needed	DIY Level
Door not latched	Door latch click, blockage	Clean area, replace latch	None or Screwdriver	Easy
Control Lock on	Lock icon on panel	Hold button to disable	None	Very Easy
Bad control panel	Buttons not working	Reset or replace panel	Multimeter	Medium
Delay Start active	Display shows ‘3h’ or ‘6h’	Cancel delay	None	Easy
Thermal fuse blown	Dishwasher gets power but no start	Replace fuse	Multimeter	Medium
Drive motor issue	Humming sound, no wash start	Replace motor	Tools	Hard
Software glitch	Machine unresponsive or stuck	Full reset	None	Very Easy

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it normal for the dishwasher to have power but not start?

No, it’s not normal. If your Samsung dishwasher has power but doesn’t start, there is usually something wrong like a bad door latch, active control lock, or a software error. You should always check if the door is closing fully and that none of the buttons are locked. Sometimes a simple reset fixes it. If not, it could be a problem with the motor or control board that needs fixing or replacing.

Can a locked control panel stop my dishwasher from starting?

Yes, it can. The Control Lock or Child Lock is a safety feature that stops the buttons from working. If this is turned on, your dishwasher will not start no matter what you press. It can be turned off by holding a certain button for a few seconds. You can find the right button in your model’s user manual. Many people activate this feature by accident and don’t realize it’s causing the issue.

Do I need a new motor if the dishwasher won’t start?

Not always. First, you should check other things like the door latch and control panel. But if your dishwasher is getting power and the motor only makes a humming sound or does nothing, then it might be stuck or broken. Sometimes the motor can be fixed by giving it a small push (if safe), but in most cases, it needs replacement. A professional can check this part safely if you’re unsure.

Is it safe to replace the door latch myself?

Yes, it’s safe if you turn off the power first and follow simple steps. The door latch is a small part that you can replace with a screwdriver. Just make sure the dishwasher is unplugged or the breaker is off. You can watch a video or read a simple guide to do it. If you feel nervous, you can also ask someone to help or call a repair person.

Can a delay timer stop the dishwasher from starting?

Yes. If the Delay Start is turned on, your Samsung dishwasher will wait for that time before it starts washing. It might say ‘3h’ or ‘6h’ on the screen. Many people turn this on by mistake. You can cancel it by pressing the button again or holding down ‘Cancel’ for a few seconds. Once it goes back to ‘0h’ or disappears, the dishwasher should start normally.

Do I need a multimeter to fix my dishwasher?

You only need a multimeter if you want to test parts like the thermal fuse, control board, or motor. If you’re just checking for simple problems like Control Lock or door latch, you don’t need any tools. But if you plan to go deeper into electrical parts, a multimeter is helpful. It shows if power is flowing through a part. If you don’t have one, a repair person can help.

Is it expensive to fix a dishwasher that has power but won’t start?

Not always. Some fixes cost nothing at all, like turning off the Control Lock or resetting the machine. A door latch or thermal fuse may cost only a few dollars. Replacing a motor or control board costs more, but you can decide what is worth fixing. Many people fix these things by themselves and save money. Only big part changes or hard-to-reach parts may need expert help.

Can unplugging the dishwasher really fix the problem?

Yes, it can. Unplugging or turning off power at the breaker can reset the dishwasher’s memory. Just like a phone or computer, your dishwasher sometimes gets stuck and needs a fresh start. Leaving it off for one to five minutes can clear errors. After that, turning it back on might fix the problem without doing anything else. This should always be one of your first steps when troubleshooting.