Amana Dishwasher: not responding, not turning on

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Amana dishwasher not responding or turning on? This common issue may manifest as an unresponsive control panel, no lights, or failure to start any wash cycles. Understanding the potential causes can help you troubleshoot effectively.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Amana Models

  • Electronic control board, user interface control, and power supply board are common failure points for Amana dishwashers not turning on
  • Thermal fuse blowing can specifically prevent start; test with multimeter for continuity

Possible Causes

Power supply issues (no electrical power)

How to Identify: No lights or display activity; other appliances on same outlet also not powering; tripped breaker or blown fuse

Part: Power cord/breaker/outlet

Door latch or door switch failure

How to Identify: Dishwasher will not start if door doesn’t fully latch; indicator may show door open or buttons unresponsive until door properly closed

Part: Door latch/switch assembly

Electronic control board failure

How to Identify: Dishwasher entirely unresponsive even with good power and closed door; no LEDs or beeps; sometimes error codes absent

Part: Main control board

User interface control/damaged control panel

How to Identify: Buttons don’t respond or light up; power may be present but control input ignored

Part: Control panel/interface board

Thermal fuse blown

How to Identify: Dishwasher completely dead, often after overheating or protection event; continuity test with multimeter fails

Part: Thermal fuse

Loose or damaged wire harness

How to Identify: Intermittent operation or sudden loss of response; visible damage inside control area

Part: Internal wiring harness

DIY Solutions

Check Power Supply and Reset Circuit Breaker

Easy 5-10 minutes
Tools Needed: None
  1. Ensure dishwasher is plugged in securely or properly hard-wired.
  2. Check home circuit breaker panel for tripped breaker; reset and try again.
  3. Unplug dishwasher (or turn off breaker) for 30 seconds then restore power to reset controls.
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure power is off when inspecting breaker panel

Ensure Door Latches Properly

Easy 2-5 minutes
Tools Needed: None
  1. Open and firmly close dishwasher door until latch clicks.
  2. Inspect latch area for debris or obstructions preventing full closure.
  3. Try starting cycle again once door is secure.

Professional Repairs

Replace Control Board

Estimated Cost: $100 - $300+

Replace Door Latch/Switch Assembly

Estimated Cost: $50 - $150

Replace Thermal Fuse

Estimated Cost: $10 - $40

When to Call a Professional

Dishwasher completely unresponsive after checking power and door latch
Control panel buttons unresponsive despite power present
Suspected control board or internal wiring issue

Preventive Maintenance

  • Periodically check and clean door latch area: Door latch issues that prevent starting
    Frequency: Monthly
  • Inspect power cord and wiring for damage: Power loss and intermittent start issues
    Frequency: Annually

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Amana Dishwasher not responding, not turning on?
Common causes include power supply issues, door latch failures, or a faulty control board.
How do I fix Amana Dishwasher not responding, not turning on myself?
Check the power supply, reset the circuit breaker, and ensure the door latches properly.
How much does it cost to fix not responding, not turning on?
Professional repairs can range from $10 for a thermal fuse to $300 for control board replacement.
When should I call a technician for not responding, not turning on?
If DIY solutions fail, or if you suspect complex issues like control board failure, contact a technician.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

60%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Faulty control panel or console
  • Power supply issues (tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse)
  • Door latch not engaging properly

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Check the power supply: Ensure the dishwasher is plugged in, check the circuit breaker for tripped switches, and replace any blown fuses.

  2. Inspect and test the door latch: Open and close the door firmly, ensuring the latch engages. If it seems faulty, replace the door latch assembly.

  3. Replace the control panel or console: If the buttons are unresponsive and the dishwasher shows no signs of power, the control panel may need to be replaced.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Do I need a new dish washer?

Community Discussions

buttons won’t work, sometimes automatically hits rinse only, won’t turn on

Faulty console likely needs replacement.

Pro needed View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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