In today’s short guide, I will be telling you what causes your Bosch dishwasher start button not to work.
In addition, I will also give you the steps you can follow to fix the problem.
Bosch dishwasher start button not working – causes and possible solutions to try
To begin with, your dishwasher’s start button might be stuck.
As a result, pressing it will not signal the control board to start a cycle.
So, start by checking if the button is stuck in one position.
Here, you can try removing the control panel cover to disengage the button from its stuck position.
If the button still won’t engage, check if the wire ribbon connecting the control panel has corroded.
If it has, you can try and fix it before considering ordering a new control panel.
That said, at times your Bosch dishwasher start button might not be stuck but the dishwasher isn’t starting a cycle due to another problem.
With that in mind, here are some other issues that might prevent the start button from responding/working and how to fix them.
Bosch dishwasher turning on but not starting (Bosch dishwasher won’t start but has power)
Start by…
Cancelling the delay start option if you have activated it
Activating the delay start option will result in your Bosch dishwasher starting after the set time (in hours) elapses.
If your dishwasher displays h:03, it means it’s in delay start mode.
However, the number might be anywhere from 01 to 24 – corresponding with how long you have set your delay start.
The good news is that you can easily cancel this option by following these steps:
- Press the Delay button till your dishwasher displays h:00.
- Press the Start button to save the setting and start a new cycle.
Deactivate the control lock (child lock)
Normally, activating the control lock prevents the dishwasher from being started, stopped, or accidentally changing the settings.
That being so, to deactivate the control lock on your Bosch dishwasher, locate the button that has a padlock/key icon.
In some models, it might be a button with the words Child Lock written below it:
Once you locate this button, press and hold it for three to five seconds.
If the process is successful, you should hear an audible beep, see the lock icon disappear, or the dishwasher will stop displaying CL.
Deactivate DEMO mode
In most Bosch dishwashers, you can know if the unit is in demo mode if it displays 1:23.
In some models, this might be accompanied by the Normal LED being illuminated together with some other cycle LED (depends on model).
When it comes to deactivating the DEMO mode, the steps will vary slightly from one model to the other.
Nevertheless, to deactivate DEMO mode in the Bosch Benchmark™ dishwasher series, follow these steps:
- Press and hold the Start/Reset button for three seconds. The display should now show 0:01
- Press any two program/cycle buttons (say Normal and Express wash cycles). Your display should now flash 0:01
- Proceed to press the On/Off button within ten seconds to power off the dishwasher.
- Turn on the dishwasher by pressing the On/Off
If you have a Bosch Ascenta® Series dishwasher model (top controls with no display), you can deactivate DEMO mode by following these steps:
- With the dishwasher door open, press and hold the Start/Reset button for three seconds. You will note that the Regular Wash LED will stay on while the Clean LED will be illuminated.
- Next, press the < and > buttons at the same time.
- Press the On/Off button within ten seconds to power off your dishwasher.
- Press the On/Off button to start your dishwasher – it will no longer be in DEMO mode.
To know how you can deactivate DEMO mode in other Bosch dishwasher models, you can refer to the owner’s manual that came with your dishwasher.
If you cannot find it, don’t worry – I will be sure to leave a link to a Bosch guide on how to deactivate demo mode in various Bosch appliances (towards the end of this guide).
Make sure that the door is latching fully
If you suspect that the door hook might not be engaging fully into the latch assembly, start by re-arranging the dishes making sure that none is preventing the door from shutting fully.
Next, fully open the door and check if it has come loose from one of its hinges.
If it has, you might need to remove the door and re-install it afresh.
Something else: If the door is touching the cabinet when you close it, the unit might be unlevel.
Here, your best workaround will be to level your dishwasher.
If the door still won’t close, it’s quite likely that the latch assembly is bad and you should consider replacing it – buy a replacement latch assembly here.
Make sure your dishwasher can drain
To troubleshoot this issue, begin by straightening any twists that the drain hose might have.
Also, if your installation has an air gap, be sure to remove any foreign objects that might be blocking it.
If you have a garbage disposer, you should also try running it to clear the drainage system.
Next, clean the drain filter and the mesh screen by following these steps:
- Remove the lower dish rack. In some models, you might also need to remove the lower spray arm:
- Rotate the filter cap and then pull it out together with the mesh screen:
- Detach the filter from the mesh screen as shown:
- Use a soft brush to clean the filters (under running water) to remove any debris that might be caught in there.
- Reattach the filters and put them back into the dishwasher.
Once you’re done cleaning the filter, proceed to check the drain pump– begin by removing any objects that might be clogging it.
Next, remove the wire connector to the drain pump and test the drain pump’s terminals for continuity.
If there is no continuity, it’s indicative that the pump is faulty. Here, installing a new drain pump will be the best route for you to take.
Something else, when re-assembling your dishwasher, make sure you properly re-insert the pump cover – you should hear a ‘click’ when it cover sits in place.
However, if the pump cover appears to be faulty, it would be best to replace it – buy a replacement here.
Confirm that water is flowing into the dishwasher
To remedy this problem, start by confirming your water faucet is fully open.
Next, straighten any kinks that the water inlet hose might have.
Once done, proceed to confirm that the water inlet valve is getting around 110-120v AC during the filling cycle.
If yours has a different reading, check if the wire connector is broken (and fix it as necessary).
If the wire connection is good and you have confirmed that the power outlet is giving 110-120v AC, it’s likely the control board is defective.
When it comes to a malfunctioning control board, the best course of action to take is getting a new board.
On the other hand, if the inlet valve is getting around 110-120v AC, proceed to test its solenoids for continuity.
If you do not get any continuity, it means the inlet valve is gone and will need to be replaced – you can buy a replacement valve here.
Other than that, there are a few other possible causes for your dishwasher not to fill with water.
You can read more about how to troubleshoot and fix these problems in our other guide: Bosch dishwasher hums but no water [Fixed].
Final thoughts on Bosch dishwasher start button not working
Remember, your Bosch dishwasher might fail to start if it is showing an error code. As such, you would need to reset the error code first.
That being so, check out our other guide (Bosch dishwasher fault codes (meaning and solutions) for steps on how to clear different fault codes.
Finally, here’s that manual to help you deactivate DEMO mode in various Bosch dishwashers: Bosch DEMO mode user manual.
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