Dishwasher Problems – Could The Door Latch Be The Culprit?

The dishwasher in the home is relied on to clean and sterilize the dishes between meals. Unfortunately, there are times that the dishwasher doesn't work as it should. Could your dishwasher issues be caused by a problem with the door latch? Here, you will learn the common issues caused by the door latch and how to inspect the door latch for problems.

What issues are caused by a door latch problem?

• The dishwasher doesn't work at all.
• The dishwasher doesn't fill with water or drains the water as it flows into the unit.
• The dishwasher leaks soap and/or water around the door.
• The door doesn't close and latch as it should.

If you are experiencing any of these issues, it is time to inspect the door latch for problems.

Before you begin looking for problems, you should understand how the door latch works. The door latch works in conjunction with a door switch. When the door latch is closed, the door switch engages and closes the circuit to enable the dishwasher to power up and run.

If the door latch is misaligned, the switch will not engage and the dishwasher will not turn on and run.

So, is the door latch the problem?

Open the dishwasher door, close the latch, press the switch on the dishwasher and run any cycle on your dishwasher. If you are having a difficult time finding the switch, refer to your owner's manual. In some cases, you may need to use a wooden pencil to press the switch as it may be beyond your reach.

Note: Never use a conductive object to press the switch. This means, never stick a metal screwdriver into the dishwasher to press the switch – it could cause electrical shock.

If the dishwasher powers up during this test, the problem is most likely the fact that the door latch is not fully depressing the door switch. This could be caused by one of three issues:

• The dishwasher door is not aligned perfectly.
• The door latch is not aligned properly.
• The door latch striker for the switch is not aligned or damaged.

How you go about replacing the door latch will vary from dishwasher to dishwasher. In some cases, only the control panel needs to be removed to access the door latch, but in other cases, the entire front or inner panel of the dishwasher will need to be removed.

To avoid making costly mistakes while replacing your dishwasher door latch, contact a professional repair technician and have it done for you. This will reduce the frustration and ensure that the repairs are made the right way the first time. Talk to experts like All Appliance Service Inc for more information.