You probably expect your Bosch dishwasher to start running and wash the dishes as soon as you connect everything. But what if your Bosch dishwasher won’t start wash cycle? How do you explain that?
Your Bosch dishwasher won’t start the wash cycle because of a failed power supply, an electronic glitch, a fault code, an incorrect setting, inadequate water, an unlatched door, poor drainage, or component malfunction.
And while mentioning component malfunction, the failed dishwasher component could be the control panel, timer, motor, or main control board. If any of these components fail, though less likely, the dishwasher won’t start washing.
This guide shall look at how these issues stop your Bosch dishwasher from starting and how best you can fix them. We’ll also look at other problems, such as a non-working start button, a non-starting dishwasher with a flashing red light, a dishwasher that stops mid-cycle, and one that won’t start despite having power.
In the end, the tips should equip you right to perform the troubleshooting DIY and save money. So, let’s dive in!
In a hurry? Below are the eight necessary checks when your Bosch dishwasher won’t start washing and the applicable DIY fixes:
Bosch Dishwasher Won’t Start Wash Cycle – Quick Troubleshooting Guide
| – | Likely Reason | Quick Fix |
| 1. | Failed Power Supply | Check the dishwasher’s power supply to ensure it powers on |
| 2. | Electronic Glitch | Reset the dishwasher |
| 3. | Fault Code | Reset the dishwasher and if the fault code won’t disappear, research it and fix it |
| 4. | Incorrect Setting | Cancel Delay Start and disable Child Lock |
| 5. | Inadequate Water | Check the dishwasher’s water supply and ensure the dishwasher receives adequate water |
| 6. | Unlatched Door | Firmly latch the door and replace a damaged door latch, door switch, door hinge, or door springs |
| 7. | Poor Drainage | Unclog the filter and air gap and replace a defective drain pump or solenoid |
| 8. | Component Malfunction | Replace a defective control panel, timer, motor, or main control board |
Why Your Bosch Dishwasher Won’t Start Cycle
Generally, here are eight reasons your Bosch dishwasher does not start wash cycle:
1. Failed Power Supply
Before anything, you’ve to check the dishwasher’s power supply if your dishwasher won’t start. Overall, different things could disrupt the dishwasher’s power supply, and they include the following:
- Not firmly plugging in the dishwasher
- A non-working power outlet
- The usage of an extension instead of a wall socket
- Tripped breaker
- Defective power cord
Fix
Ensure you firmly plug the dishwasher into the wall socket – not an extension cord. Then ensure you turn it on. But if the dishwasher won’t power on, check if the circuit breaker is off and reset it.
Then use a multimeter to inspect the cord, outlet, and socket for continuity. If any of them lacks continuity, replace them.
2. Electronic Glitch
Dishwashers suffer a setting freeze or electronic glitch, just like other electronics. Unfortunately, the dishwasher doesn’t start during such an occasion.
That, however, doesn’t mean anything serious, as you can quickly correct it with a reset.
Fix
Consider resetting the dishwasher to correct an electronic glitch. You can do that using any of these two techniques:
Option 1 – Using the start button
Most Bosch dishwashers don’t have the reset button. You can, however, use the start button in its place. All it takes to reset the dishwasher using the start button is to press Start for 3-5 seconds, and the dishwasher should reset after that.
Option 2 – Hard Reset
Just plug out the dishwasher for at least 3-5 minutes and wait to plug it back in. Then start a new cycle once the error code clears.
3. Fault Code
Sometimes the dishwasher won’t start because of a fault or error code. So, you have to quickly check the display to see if there’s an error code.
Error codes symbolize a fault that you should address. However, not all error codes are serious. Some only require a dishwasher reset.
Fix
Consider resetting your dishwasher to reset the error code. If the error code doesn’t reset, check it out on Bosch’s official error code page to see what it means and troubleshoot the issue.
4. Incorrect Setting
Two settings could stop your Bosch dishwasher from starting; Delay Start and Child Lock.
Delay Start, as the name suggests, delays the dishwasher from starting. In such a case, the dishwasher only starts at a later preset time.
Meanwhile, Child Lock locks the dishwasher’s control panel and stops it from running or changing cycle until it’s off. It’s essentially a safety feature for barring kids from operating the dishwasher.
Fix
Cancel Delay Start or Child Lock if any of them is on. You can press the relevant switch for at least 5 seconds. You can tell it’s off if the light goes out.
5. Inadequate Water
Your dryer won’t just fail to start washing because it lacks power but also when it lacks water. It could be that the tap is off, the inlet hose is pinched/kinked, or the water inlet valve is defective.
Fix
Consider turning on the tap if it’s off, and stretch out the inlet hose to clear any pinches or kinks. But if it’s none of the two issues, replace the water inlet valve.
6. Unlatched Door
A Bosch dishwasher will only start running when its door is shut firmly. If the door is slightly open, the dishwasher will identify that as a fault and refuse to run.
It could be an honest mistake of failing to latch the door tightly or perhaps an obstruction like a rack. Sometimes, however, the door won’t lock because of a defective latch, door switch, door hinge or door springs.
Fix
Try firmly latching the dishwasher door and getting the rack out of its way. If it won’t shut, inspect the door latch and replace it if it’s broken. If the latch is okay, test the door switch (use a multimeter) and replace it if it won’t show electrical continuity.
But if nothing is wrong with the door switch, inspect the door hinge and door springs for damage and replace them if that’s the case.
7. Poor Drainage
If there’s some water pool at the bottom of the dishwasher, your dishwasher likely has a drainage issue. It could be a clogged filter, an air gap, or a defective drain pump or solenoid valve. So, you’ve to figure out what it is.
Fix
Inspect the filter and air gap for clogging and clean them, and if the drain pump or solenoid valve is defective, replace it.
8. Component Malfunction
Several components could fail and stop your Bosch dishwasher from starting. They include the following:
- Control panel – If the control panel is defective, some buttons will become non-responsive, and there will be no lights on the control panel. Perhaps one of the non-responsive buttons is the start button, and even if it’s not, you’ll have a hard time operating the dishwasher when all controls aren’t responsive.
- Timer – The timer’s work is to initiate and control power distribution in the dishwasher. Once it fails, that doesn’t happen, and the dishwasher fails to start.
- Motor – The dishwasher depends on a running motor to start a wash cycle. The dishwasher won’t start a cycle if the motor doesn’t run.
- Main control board – If the control board is defective, it’ll fail to power all of the dishwasher’s components, preventing the dishwasher from starting.
Fix
Consider getting a replacement for any of the above dishwasher components if they are faulty.
Bosch Dishwasher Start Button Not Working
For the dishwasher to start, the start button has to work. You have to press it long enough to engage it. But if it doesn’t engage, you should inspect it for damage and replace it.
Don’t forget that sometimes the issue is not with the start button but probably with the dishwasher’s power, water supply, or a wrong setting such as Child Lock.
Bosch Dishwasher Not Starting Red Light Blinking
Your Bosch dishwasher blinks the red light (Info Light) to tell you something. In most cases, it does so to signal an unlatched door, an error code on the control panel, or a blocked filter.
If that’s not it, the spray arms could be obstructed, or the dishwasher might have a water supply issue. So, go through all the checks to stop the blinking light.
Bosch Dishwasher Starts Then Stops (Stops Mid-Cycle)
Your Bosch dishwasher won’t complete a cycle for different reasons. In most cases, it starts and stops due to these issues:
- An unlatched door
- Failed power supply
- Failed water supply
- Poor drainage
So, consider checking the dishwasher door and firmly latching it if that’s not the case. Then ensure the dishwasher turns on to prove it has power and it should have an adequate water supply. Moreover, fix any drainage issue present.
Bosch Dishwasher Won’t Start But Has Power
Just because your Bosch dishwasher has power doesn’t mean it’ll start. Other issues besides power that can stop the dishwasher from starting include the following:
- An unlatched door
- An error code
- Inadequate water supply
- Active Child Lock or Delay Start setting
In the above case, you must ensure the door is latched correctly, reset any error code, and ensure the dishwasher has enough water. While at it, deactivate Child Lock or Delay Start if the two settings are active.
People Also Ask
1. Why Is My Bosch Dishwasher Not Starting?
Your Bosch dishwasher might not be starting due to different reasons. First, it could be that the dishwasher lacks adequate power, resulting from a tripped breaker, a loose plugging, a defective power cord, or a non-working outlet.
It could also be that Child Lock is on, thus locking the controls, or the dishwasher door is improperly latched. But still, it could be due to a Delay Start setting, an error code, inadequate water supply, or a malfunctioning component.
2. How Can I Get a Bosch Dishwasher to Start?
You can get your Bosch dishwasher to start by ensuring it has power. In that case, you should ensure you plug into the socket and turn it on. Then, ensure it has water, and if Child Lock or Delay Start setting is active, cancel it.
If the dishwasher still doesn’t start, reset it to fix an error code or electronic glitch. And if there is any drainage issue, correct it and try to restart the dishwasher.
3. How Do I Reset My Bosch Dishwasher Not Starting?
You can reset your Bosch dishwasher using the start button, which also serves as the reset button. Press Start for 5-10 seconds to enable the dishwasher to reset.
Alternatively, plug out the dishwasher’s power cord for 2-3 minutes, re-plug it, and start the dishwasher.
Concluding Thought:
Generally, the above eight issues are worth considering when your Bosch dishwasher won’t start wash cycle. Start by resetting the dishwasher to correct an electronic glitch or fault code and ensure the dishwasher has power.
Then turn off Child Lock or Delay Start if they are active, ensure the dishwasher receives adequate water and the door is latched correctly, and fix any drainage issues.
And if you still can’t find the fault, check the control panel, timer, motor, or main control board for defects and replace the one that’s not working. That’s how you troubleshoot a non-starting Bosch dishwasher DIY!
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