What to Do If Your LG Dishwasher Won’t Turn On

Dishwashers are one of the most convenient and time-saving modern appliances, so it’s always frustrating when they’re not working as they should. But what if your dishwasher isn’t just not washing properly, it’s not turning on at all? Although it might seem overwhelming, don’t panic just yet. There are a few simple solutions you can try before calling in an electrician or appliance repair technician. Read on for some of the most common solutions. 

This guide applies to most models of LG dishwashers, including:

LDF6810BB

LDF6810ST

LDF6810ST/01

LDF6810WW

LDF6920BB

LDF6920ST

LDF6920WW

LDF7551ST

LDF7774ST

LDF7810BB

LDF7810ST

LDF7810WW

LDF7811BB

LDF7811ST

LDF7932ST

LDS4821BB

LDS4821ST

LDS4821WW

LDS5540ST

LDS5811ST

LDS5811WW

Check the Circuit Breaker

If your LG dishwasher won’t start, the first place to start should be the circuit breaker. If your dishwasher has experienced a power surge, the circuit breaker may have tripped, cutting power to the outlet and preventing your dishwasher from turning on at all. Thankfully, this is a pretty easy issue to remedy even if you’re an absolute novice. Here’s what to do:

• First, locate your home’s circuit breaker. The location differs, but they’re usually in a place where they’re out of sight. Try checking in your basement, garage, or hall closet. In apartments, they’re more likely to be in your laundry room or hallway. 
• Once you’ve located the circuit breaker, inspect the switches to see if any are in the ‘off’ position. If one is in a different position from the others, this is likely the one that corresponds to your dishwasher. 
• Ensure that all breaker switches are switched to the on position. If any are in between off and on, switch them fully to the off position before moving to the on position. 
• Once you’ve switched them all on, go to your dishwasher and check if it’s turning on. If not, move on to the next step in this guide. 

Check the Power Outlet

If you’ve ruled out an issue with the circuit breaker, the next place to check is the outlet itself. A damaged or faulty outlet won’t allow power to flow to your dishwasher, which will prevent it from turning on. To check this:

• Unplug your dishwasher and plug in another appliance. Choose one that you are certain is functional, such as a lamp or a radio. 
• Check if the appliance works when plugged into the outlet. If it does, then the issue likely lies with the dishwasher itself and not the outlet. 
• If the outlet appears to be non-functioning, you can use a multimeter to confirm. Set your multimeter to measure voltage, and put a probe into both of the holes in the outlet. The outlet should read between 110 and 120 volts. Anything outside of this indicates a non-functioning outlet. 
• If you determine that the outlet isn’t functioning, this is a job for a professional electrician. Working with electricity when untrained can be dangerous, and can lead to electric shock and even death. 

Check the Power Cord

If you determine that the outlet itself and the circuit breaker are both functioning, there could be a problem with the dishwasher’s power cord. This is particularly likely if your dishwasher has recently been installed or moved—it’s easy for damage to occur during moving. Please note that a damaged power cord can be an electric shock risk, so make sure your dishwasher isn’t plugged into the power outlet when inspecting the power cord. 

• Unplug your dishwasher from the power outlet. 
• Carefully inspect the plug itself as well as the entire length of the cord. You may need to move the dishwasher away from the wall to gain access to the whole cord. 
• Check for bent or damaged prongs on the plug, and check for damage to the cord itself. 
• If you notice either the plug or the cord are damaged, they’ll need to be replaced. You can purchase replacement parts and then remove the faulty cord or plug.
• If you need to replace the cord, make sure you refer to your LG manual for help removing the old cord and replacing it. You may need to partially take apart the dishwasher to gain access to the terminals. 
• Once the new power cord has been installed, plug it back into the outlet and test if the dishwasher now turns on. 

Check the Touchpad

If you’ve determined that the circuit breaker, power outlet, and power cord are all functioning correctly, an issue with your dishwasher touchpad may be preventing your dishwasher from turning on. The touchpad is how you control your dishwasher. If it isn’t functioning, the dishwasher won’t receive your instructions and will be unable to turn on. Here’s how to test it:

• Make sure your dishwasher is plugged in and the circuit breaker is turned on. 
• Press every button on the touchpad to see if you can get a reaction.
• Use a microfiber cloth and a mild detergent spray to thoroughly clean the touchpad. 
• If you’re still not getting a response, the touchpad itself may need replacing. You can purchase a replacement part online. Make sure it’s compatible with your model of LG dishwasher. 
• Unplug your dishwasher and remove the faulty touchpad. Use your manual to make sure you do this properly. 
• Install the new touchpad, ensuring that all the wiring is connected correctly. 
• Replace any panels that you removed while you were working. 
• Restore power to your dishwasher and check if the touchpad lights up. 
• Once your dishwasher turns on, test that the touchpad is fully functional by choosing a cycle and running a test.