Dishwashers have become a must-have appliance in most of our kitchens. So much so that when the dishwasher stops working, it can cause a major disruption to our daily routine. When the issue is the dishwasher door, it can be particularly frustrating – why won’t it close? Fortunately, with a little DIY confidence, a Torx-head screwdriver, and this guide, you should be able to get your dishwasher door working again.
A damaged door latch is the most common cause of a dishwasher door not being able to close correctly. The dishwasher door latch keeps the door closed and the water inside while the dishwasher is operating. The door latch is connected to the door switch, which will not allow the dishwasher to start unless the door is properly closed.
The latch can become defective due to soap suds or food dripping down from the kitchen countertop. Giving the door latch a clean may solve the issue.
Over time, the latch can become worn or bent and not close the door securely. If the door latch is defective or damaged, you will likely need to replace the door latch assembly.
With some dishwashers, the dishwasher door may not be closing because of an electrical problem with the door switch. Testing the door switch for continuity with a multimeter may solve the issue. If there is no continuity (a continuous electrical path inside the switch), the door switch will need to be replaced, which will likely solve the dishwasher door issue.
On some dishwashers, you will need to remove the control panel to access the door latch. Depending on the model, you may be able to unthread the screws that secure the dishwasher’s control panel to the door, or you may need to unthread all of the screws holding the inner and outer door panels together.
Some dishwashers may require the dishwasher to be pulled out from the countertop or cabinet to gain access to the control panel or door latch assembly. Be careful not to pull the dishwasher out too far, as you may break a wire or hose connection. Check if the dishwasher is mounted to the cabinet or countertop, and remove the mounting screws if required.
To access and replace the door latch assembly:
If the door latch or door switch needs to be replaced, be careful not to throw out any components that the new door latch assembly may be missing.
The dishwasher door hinges allow the dishwasher door to open and close. Over time, the dishwasher door hinges may become bent or loose and stop the dishwasher door from closing correctly. If the dishwasher door uses a pulley system, it may have become damaged and unable to close the door properly.
Inspect the door hinges. If they are not straight or the door is not hanging level on the hinges, they may need to be adjusted or replaced.
To access the hinges, on most models the dishwasher frame or top and side panels will need to be removed.
To access the door hinges:
The dishwasher strike is located at the top of the dishwasher on the dishwasher frame. The strike is the part that the door latch hooks into to close the dishwasher door. If the alignment is wrong or the door strike is damaged, the dishwasher door will be unable to close.
To replace the door strike:
The dishwasher door gasket is the rubber seal that goes around the dishwasher door to prevent water from leaking from the dishwasher. If there is wear and tear or the gasket is not aligned, it could be preventing the dishwasher from closing. If the gasket is damaged, it should be replaced.
To replace the door gasket:
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