Dishwasher Reset Button: How to Fix Common Issues and When to Call a Pro

When your dishwasher reset button, a safety feature designed to interrupt power after a fault or overheating event. Also known as thermal fuse reset, it's often the first thing to check when your dishwasher won't start. Most modern dishwashers have one—sometimes hidden behind the control panel, sometimes built into the door latch, and sometimes just a software reset you trigger by pressing a sequence of buttons. It’s not a magic fix, but it’s the easiest thing to try before calling a repair tech.

If your dishwasher suddenly stops mid-cycle, or the lights flash but nothing happens, the reset button might have tripped. That usually means the motor got too hot, the water didn’t drain properly, or there’s a power glitch. It’s not always broken hardware—sometimes it’s just a temporary overload. But if you press it and it trips again right away, something deeper is wrong. Common causes include a clogged filter, a faulty pump, or a broken door switch. You can’t fix those with a reset button. And if your model doesn’t have a physical button at all, you’ll need to unplug it for 60 seconds to reset the control board. That’s the same thing, just done differently.

Some brands hide the reset process. Bosch and Siemens users often need to hold the Start button for 5 seconds. Whirlpool and KitchenAid models may require turning the dial to a specific position and pressing Clean or Cancel. GE and Maytag sometimes need a power cycle—unplug, wait, plug back in. There’s no universal rule. That’s why knowing your model matters. If you don’t know your model number, check the inside of the door frame or the manual. If you lost the manual, search online with your serial number. You’ll find exact steps in under a minute.

Don’t keep hitting the reset button like a light switch. If it trips more than once, you’re masking a real problem. A failing heating element, a worn-out pump, or a blocked drain line will keep triggering the safety system. And if your dishes come out cold or wet, that’s not a reset fix—that’s a heating or drying issue. The reset button doesn’t fix leaks, doesn’t replace broken spray arms, and won’t clear a clogged drain hose. Those need tools, parts, and know-how.

Here’s what you can do yourself: unplug the dishwasher, remove the bottom rack, and check the filter. It’s usually under the spray arm. Pop it out, rinse off food bits, and put it back. Then check the drain hose—it shouldn’t be kinked or blocked. If your sink is slow, your dishwasher might be too. Clear the sink first. Then plug the dishwasher back in, wait a minute, and try the reset again. If it starts and runs normally, great. If not, you’re past the easy stuff.

Most people think the reset button means the machine is broken. It doesn’t. It means the machine is doing its job—protecting itself. But if you’ve tried the basics and it still won’t run, it’s time to look at repair costs. Fixing a door switch might cost $80. Replacing a pump? $150-$250. And if the control board is fried, you’re looking at half the price of a new unit. That’s when replacement makes more sense than repair.

Below, you’ll find real fixes from people who’ve been there—how they found their reset button, what they tried, and when they called a pro. No fluff. Just what works.