Why Is My Dishwasher Stopping Mid-cycle?

If you find your dishwasher stopping mid-cycle, it could be due to several reasons, including a malfunctioning door latch, a defective control board, or even a power interruption. When an appliance such as your dishwasher pauses in the middle of its cycle, it can disrupt your daily routine and create extra work in the kitchen.

We'll walk you through the six most common reasons why a dishwasher might stop in mid-cycle, explore common questions, and discuss what to do if you can't get your kitchen appliance working again. After all, a dishwasher should last you nine to 16 years.

Six Common Reasons a Dishwasher Would Stop Mid-cycle

Your dishwasher could be stopping mid-cycle due to a variety of problems. Home dishwashers are complex kitchen appliances with many parts that must work together for them to operate efficiently. Here are six reasons a dishwasher would stop mid-cycle and how to fix them.

1. Power Interruption

Has there been an interruption to the power supply in your home or, more specifically, to your dishwasher? Confirm your dishwasher is still plugged in and other parts of your home have power. You should also inspect the circuit breaker that supplies power to your kitchen appliances to ensure it hasn’t been tripped. If it’s in the “off” position, switch it to “on” and see if this fixes the problem.

The Fix: Ensure your circuit breaker is on and plug your dishwasher in.

2. Broken Door Latch

Do you notice that the door to your dishwasher is cracked open when it stops mid-cycle? A faulty door latch doesn’t allow your dishwasher to stay closed. You might’ve started your appliance’s wash cycle with the door shut, but your dishwasher will automatically stop if a defective door latch allows the door to creep open.

The Fix: Have a dishwasher professional repair or replace your door latch.

3. Lack of Water Supply

Your dishwasher needs a healthy supply of water to operate correctly. It gets this water through the water inlet valve; if the valve is defective, damaged, or broken, it will disrupt your dishwasher's cycle.

Check your home's water pressure to ensure it is normal. If you notice it's low in other parts of the house, contact a plumber to inspect your system. Low water pressure can cause problems for several major home appliances.

The Fix: Ensure your inlet valve is not damaged, your strainer or aerator is clear of debris, and your home’s water pressure is normal — contact an appliance service professional for assistance.

4. Malfunctioning Control Board

Your dishwasher’s control board is the brains of its operation. When the control board malfunctions, it may cause your dishwasher to stop mid-cycle. Check the appliance for any electronic glitches and report any error codes you receive to your service professional to help assist with diagnosis.

The Fix: Contact a service professional to replace your control board.

5. Malfunctioning Float Switch

Your dishwasher's float switch is a sensor that informs your appliance of the current water level within the machine. If the switch fails, your dishwasher may stop mid-cycle or cease to function correctly. You can attempt to clean the float switch with a dry towel, but if that fails, you will need to replace it.

The Fix: Contact a service professional to replace your float switch.

6. Blown Thermal Fuse

Your dishwasher may have stopped mid-cycle if your thermal fuse has blown. The thermal switch is a safety device within your appliance that shuts off the power if a short circuit occurs or a critical component, such as the heating element, fails. In the case of failure, a service professional must open the dishwasher and replace the fuse.

The Fix: Reach out to a dishwasher service professional to replace the blown fuse.

Dishwasher Brands We Service

Hiring a trained service professional familiar with your dishwasher brand helps ensure a smooth and reliable repair process. Familiarity means less wasted time and a shorter repair process to get your appliance up and running. Here are the most common dishwasher brands our appliance professionals service:

• Bosch
• Whirlpool
• Samsung
• LG
• GE
• Hisense
• Frigidaire
• Fisher Paykel
• KitchenAid
• Kenmore
• Maytag
• Amana
• Miele

FAQ

Dishwashers are complex appliances, so it’s no surprise you may have a few questions about the repair process. To help get your kitchen back on track as quickly as possible, here are the most commonly asked questions about a dishwasher that stops mid-cycle.

How Do I Reset My Dishwasher?

You can unplug a dishwasher from its power source to reset it — hardwired dishwashers will need the circuit breaker switched off and then back on. Some dishwashers can also be reset from their control panel; try holding the Start/Reset button for a few seconds or referencing your dishwasher's manual.

Should I Try To Fix My Dishwasher Myself?

Fixing a dishwasher can be a challenging task. You can attempt basic troubleshooting steps on your home appliance, but due to the price of home kitchen appliances, it’s a good idea to hire a professional to fix your dishwasher.

Let Mr. Appliance Fix Your Dishwasher

A dishwasher is often an underrated and underappreciated contributor to an efficient household until it stops working. If your dishwasher stops mid-cycle, don’t wait to have it repaired — after all, who wants to handwash dishes if they can avoid it?

Return to having sparkly clean dishes again with a newly repaired dishwasher from the professionals at your local Mr. Appliance. As part of the Neighborly family of home service providers, all work performed by your local Mr. Appliance is backed by the Neighborly Done Right Promise™️.

To get started, call us or schedule an appointment today.