Bosch dishwasher wont start cycle [Fixed]

So your Bosch dishwasher wont start cycle (but has power) and you are at your wits end?

Well, the issue could be as easy as a door that is not latched properly or you could be looking at a damaged part.

There are other reasons why it won’t start so here is a list of everything you should try if your Bosch dishwasher wont start cycle (a couple of the fixes are quite easy and need no special skill).

Bosch dishwasher wont start cycle – troubleshooting ideas

Check the Dishwasher door

Usually, your Bosch dishwasher won t start washing if the door isn’t been closed properly (this is part of its safety precautions).

Solution

Make sure your dishwasher is firmly closed and try to run the cycle once more.

If the door won’t close properly, you will need to troubleshoot it further.

The most common culprit is a faulty door latch so this is the next thing to check.

Troubleshoot it as indicated below:

 

Replace/repair the door latch

Even if the door appears to close fully but the latch isn’t operating as intended, the dishwasher won’t start running.

On the grounds of this, you have to replace the faulty door latch (age and normal wear can cause latch issues).

If you want to do it yourself, here is a genuine replacement door latch assembly for Bosch dishwashers and here is a helpful YouTube video demonstrating typical replacement procedure.

 

Troubleshoot the door closing issue further

There are other things to check if the door still won’t close properly even after exchanging the latch:

We take a look at them below:

·         Check the racks positioning

Improperly placed racks could be preventing the door from closing properly.

That being so, ensure the racks are positioned properly and sliding in fully.

·         Repair/replace the door hinges

The next possibility is that of the hinges being broken or not working as they should.

Check their alignment –try to fix them if not aligned correctly as they will cause the door to be misaligned- and inspect them for any signs of damage/wearing.

Here is the thing: The best solution for broken/worn hinges is installing a replacement.

·         Repair/replace the door springs

The other part you should check is the 2 door springs and these need to be replaced if they are ruined/worn out.

 

Check if you have activated child lock (making the controls Unresponsive)

If the dishwasher control panel won’t work or it has become responsive, it could be due to the child lock being on- you may have activated it unknowingly.

This is easy to fix and you just need to deactivate the child lock quickly.

Procedure

If the control panel is functional:

1. Find the “child lock” button (on your unit’s control panel)- it is usually the button with a key/padlock icon near it.
2. Hold the lock button down for 3 – 5 seconds.

When it turns off, you will hear a beep and/or notice the symbol go off.

That’s all!

Manual procedure (try this if the control panel is in-operational)

1. Press the catch (of the lock) to the right. Keep in mind that the catch is typically located above the door (centrally).
2. Now press the catch (of the “child lock”) backwards.

The child lock should now be deactivated.

 

Try to reset the appliance

The issue can be caused by another malfunction as well –for example, a problem with the program running the appliance.

That being so, it is always a nice idea to try and reset the machine before trying out advanced troubleshooting steps.

So, how do you reset your Bosch dishwasher?

Follow these steps:

1. Disconnect the machine from power supply.
2. Next, pull the mains plug out (or switch the fuse off).
3. Wait 5 seconds (at least) for the system to clear any errors from the memory and reset.
4. Now connect the machine back to power and make another attempt to start a cycle.

 

Bosch dishwasher wont start cycle – other troubleshooting ideas

Finally, you can check for the following potential issues:

 

Check if there is enough water supply

If the appliance is not having adequate water supply, it is unlikely to start a cycle.

This can be due to a faulty water valve or kinked/clogged/improperly installed intake hose.

Check for all these possible problems and fix them as necessary (the water valve may need to be replaced).

 

Check for pooled water (in the bottom)

Sometimes the machine won’t start a cycle due to drainage problems.

And so if you think you could be having standing water (in the base) in your unit, you need to pull out the machine and check to see if there is water there.

You must drain the appliance before you try to start a cycle.

Of course, it is best to find out what could be causing the drainage issue and fix it otherwise water will keep pooling in the base (likely culprits include a clogged airgap, bad drain solenoid, defective drain pump, and clogged filter).

 

Check the cycle settings

This is often overlooked but it happens- if by any chance you selected the wrong setting, the cycle may delay starting by an hour or more. 

For example, choosing the delay start option means there will be some time lapse before the cycle starts.

Now, if you really want to start a new clean from the beginning (without waiting for the delay start timing), just reset the dishwasher and set a new cycle afresh.

 

What to do if your Bosch dishwasher won’t start cycle and ‘auto’ LED light keeps blinking

If this is what your appliance is doing when you turn it on and try to input correct settings for a new wash cycle, try this:

Hold the start button down until the display shows 00:01 then properly close the door.

Let it run to finish and try to select a new cycle.

It should accept new cycle settings and will run the cycle you select without problems.

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