Frigidaire Gallery dishwashers are reputable for their reliability and low failure rate. But even so, sometimes a Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher won’t start, which means you can’t do the dishes – at least not using the same dishwasher.
A Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher often won’t start due to a computer glitch, wrong setting, error code, failed power supply or water supply, unlatched door, blown thermal fuse, or control panel, motor, timer, or control board fault.
So, there are about 11 issues to check when your Gallery dishwasher won’t start, and the funny bit is that most of these issues are DIY-fixable. You, however, must first identify which of those 11 issues relate to your Frigidaire Gallery and then troubleshoot it.
Don’t worry if you are clueless; this troubleshooting guide will help you do it. We’ll discuss how each issue stops the dishwasher from running, what to check, and how to fix it. So, here we go!
In a hurry? Below is a quick troubleshooting guide for a Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher that won’t start running:
Your Frigidaire Gallery Dishwasher Won’t Start? Quick Troubleshooting!
| – | Probable Cause | Quick Fix |
| 1. | Computer Glitch | Reset the dishwasher. |
| 2. | Wrong Setting | Cancel Delay Time, Control Lock, or Demo Mode if active, and ensure you select the correct cycle and press ‘Start.’ |
| 3. | Error Code | Find out the meaning of the error code and troubleshoot it. |
| 4. | Failed Power | Ensure the dishwasher turns on (fix any power supply fault). |
| 5. | Failed Water Supply | Ensure the water supply is turned on, the inlet hose isn’t kinked or leaky, and the water pressure is at least 30 psi. |
| 6. | Unlatched Door | Properly latch the dishwasher door and replace a damaged door latch or defective door switch. |
| 7. | Blown Thermal Fuse | Replace the thermal fuse if it lacks continuity. |
| 8. | Control Panel Fault | Replace the control panel if some buttons (including the start button) are nonresponsive. |
| 9. | Motor Fault | Replace the motor if it hums so loud or won’t run. |
| 10. | Timer Fault | Replace the timer if the dishwasher won’t turn on despite having power. |
| 11. | Control Board Fault | Replace the main control after every other fix fails. |
Why Is My Frigidaire Gallery Dishwasher Not Starting?
While different issues could stop a Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher from starting, below are 11 of the commonest ones and their troubleshooting:
1. Computer Glitch
All appliances and electronics occasionally suffer a software glitch; when that happens, they may fail to run or stay stuck on a given cycle or process. The same applies to dishwashers, and a Frigidaire Gallery model is no exception.
Nevertheless, don’t worry; a computer glitch isn’t a serious issue. It’s the first on my checklist because it’s easy to fix. Let’s see how next.
Fix
Start by resetting your Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher to fix a computer glitch. Here’s how to do it:
Option 1 – Use the Start/Resume or Start/Cancel button
Frigidaire Gallery dishwashers don’t have a dedicated reset button. Instead, they have the Start/Resume or Start/Cancel switch on the control panel, which you can use to end and restart a cycle.
Simply put, you can use it as the reset button. You only need to hold down the button for at least 3 seconds. After that, wait at least 5 minutes before powering back and restarting the dishwasher.
Option 2 – Disconnect it from the power
You can also reset your Frigidaire dishwasher by disconnecting it from the power. There are two ways to do it.
First, consider unplugging the dishwasher for at least 5 minutes to clear any electrical charge and old memory. Or, second, flip off its power breaker for 5 minutes and then flip it back on.
2. Wrong Setting
You don’t expect your Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher to start if you don’t pick the correct setting and press start. Some settings stop the dishwasher from starting immediately or entirely, and they include the following:
- Delay Time – Delay Time, as the name suggests, delays the dishwasher from starting immediately. The dishwasher only starts running at the pre-set time.
- Control Lock – Control Lock locks the dishwasher’s control panel. Since the start button is on the control panel, it becomes nonresponsive when pressed, stopping the dishwasher from running.
- Demo Mode – Demo Mode only allows you to check out how the dishwasher works but doesn’t allow it to fill up with water, turn on the heater, or run. Simply put, you cannot use the dishwasher with active Demo Mode.
Fix
Cancel Delay Time, Control Lock, or Demo Mode if any of the three settings is active. You can even reset the dishwasher, as shared above. After that, select the correct setting and press ‘Start’ before the dishwasher can start running.
3. Error Code
A Frigidaire dishwasher shows an error code for a reason. So you can’t ignore it. Sometimes, the error code points to an issue that prevents the dishwasher from starting, and that includes the following:
- i10 (failed water supply)
- iC0 (control board fault)
- Cl or CD (unlatched door)
- PF (Power failure)
- i50 (motor fault)
Fix
Determine what the above or any other error code that pops up on your Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher means. Then, find out its likely cause and troubleshoot it
4. Failed Power (Frigidaire Gallery Dishwasher Won’t Power On)
Your Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher needs power to run. So, if the dishwasher doesn’t turn on, it’s most likely because it lacks power, and that could be a result of any of these issues:
- The power switch is off
- Loose or damaged power cord
- Defective socket
- Tripped circuit breaker
- Tripped GFCI outlet
- Blown fuse
- The use of an extension cord – instead of the wall socket
- Circuit overload
Fix
Start by ensuring the dishwasher is firmly plugged into the wall socket (not the extension cord) and switched on. If the power cord is damaged, replace it.
Check the circuit breaker and GFCI outlet for tripping and reset them if that’s the case. While at it, ensure the dishwasher has a dedicated circuit to avoid a power overload, test the power fuse with a multimeter to see if it has continuity, and replace it if it doesn’t.
5. Failed Water Supply
The water supply is as essential as the power supply when starting the dishwasher. Just like the dishwasher won’t run without power, it’ll also not run without water, and if so, it could be due to one of these issues:
- The water supply could be off
- The inlet hose could be kinked or leaky (perhaps damaged)
- Inadequate water pressure (below 30 psi)
Fix
Ensure the water supply valve is turned on and clear any kinks from the inlet hose. And if the inlet hose leaks, replace it. Then, check with a water pressure gauge if the water pressure is at least 30 psi. If it’s not, try not.
Call a plumber to run the shower and other heavy water users when running the dishwasher, and if that doesn’t help.
6. Unlatched Door
Your Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher might not start because the door is latched incorrectly. And if so, it could be due to a damaged door latch or a defective door switch. Thus, you may need to inspect the two components.
Fix
Try to latch the dishwasher door, and if it doesn’t, check if the door latch is broken and replace it. If everything is fine with the door latch, inspect the door switch with a multimeter and replace it if it has no continuity.
7. Blown Thermal Fuse
Inside the dishwasher is a thermal fuse whose job is to protect the dishwasher from overheating. The thermal fuse sacrificially blows up instead of the dishwasher, but once that happens, the dishwasher won’t run until you replace it.
Fix
Check the thermal fuse with a multimeter and replace it if it has no continuity.
8. Control Panel Fault
Is the display showing or lighting up, but some buttons are nonresponsive? If so, the control panel is likely defective. In such a case, some buttons, including ‘Start,’ won’t work while others will.
Fix
Replace the control panel if some buttons are responsive and others (including the start button) aren’t.
9. Motor Fault
If the motor is defective, it won’t run. And if it doesn’t, the dishwasher won’t run either. Overall, you can tell a motor is faulty from its noise, especially if it is a loud humming sound.
Fix
Consider replacing the motor if it hums loud or won’t run.
10. Timer Fault
The dishwasher depends on a working timer to start and run a cycle. In that case, a timer malfunction stops the dishwasher from running, and in most cases, the dishwasher doesn’t even turn on.
Fix
Consider replacing the timer if the dishwasher doesn’t turn on and the issue is not the lack of power or any of the above.
11. Control Board Fault
Lastly, your Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher might not start because of a failed main control board. The control board, which serves as the dishwasher’s brain, dictates the running of different dishwasher functions, including starting, and thus shouldn’t fail.
Fix
The main control board isn’t easy to diagnose, so its replacement should be a last resort.
Frigidaire Gallery Dishwasher Won’t Start But Has Power
While the lack of power is one of the most typical reasons dishwashers fail to start, sometimes the issue has nothing to do with power. Here are things to check if your Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher won’t start but has power:
- An unlatched door
- Software hitch
- Wrong setting
- Fault code
- Failed water supply
- Defective control panel, motor, timer, or main control board
Frigidaire Gallery Dishwasher Start Button Won’t Work
A Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher’s start button won’t work because of a failed power or water supply, drain blockage, dish overload, or a defective touchpad or control panel. The start button could also be stuck or damaged, or it could be a case of a dead main control board.
Concluding Thought on Why Your Frigidaire Gallery Dishwasher Won’t Start:
Above are the 11 issues to check when your Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher fails to start. Remember, it could be a software glitch, incorrect setting, or error code, which may require a reset.
But if that’s not it, it could be the lack of power or water, an incorrectly latched door, a burnt fuse, or an issue with the control panel, motor, timer, or main control board.
But remember, you can always put your Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher on diagnostic mode to find hidden faults and fix them. Do that before you call a dishwasher pro!