Why Is My Dishwasher Stopping Mid-Cycle?

So you finally get your dishes loaded up, start the washer and then come back only to find half-washed dishes. What happened? Well if your dishwasher is stopping mid-cycle there are a few common reasons why this may be occurring.

For a full visual guide, please see the following video or read our written guide below.

Reason One: Door Latch Assembly

This is the most common cause of a dishwasher stopping mid-cycle. The Door Latch Assembly is used to hold the door closed during the cycle to keep water from leaking, and it contains one or two switches that supply power to the controls. If the latch assembly is broken or damaged it won’t keep the door closed, and therefore your system will shut down. 

Reason Two: Door Catch

The catch is a part of your dishwasher frame which connects to the Door Latch Assembly. If this is broken the same problem will occur. Namely that the door won’t stay closed and the machine will shut down. To check the catch, you can simply look at it, and ensure that it is firmly attached to the tub. Some models have adjustable "mounting screws". Check your owners manual to find out if you have this kind of model, and how to access the mounting screws. If you have this kind of model, adjust the screws until the door is held securely. If the part appears broken, replace it.

Reason Three: Control Board

If your assembly and door catch are working properly then it’s possible that the internal electronic components of the washer to fail and prevent your dishwasher from changing cycles. In this case, it will likely need to be replaced. Contact your manufacturer for details on how to replace or repair this issue.

Take a look at these common problem areas to see what may be going wrong with your washer. If you need to make some repairs and are looking for parts, take a look at our dishwasher parts.