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Magic Chef Dishwasher won't start

If your Magic Chef dishwasher won't start, the most common culprits are a blown thermal fuse, a failed door switch, or a damaged wire harness that is not sending power where it needs to go. A broken door latch is another likely cause, since the dishwasher has to latch fully before the door switch will allow a cycle to begin. After that, check the main control board, but save it for later in the diagnosis because control boards are often blamed when the real problem is a simpler part. On some Magic Chef models, a bad drain pump can also keep the dishwasher not starting because the unit may try to drain before it fills and washes. If your dishwasher has power but will not start, or the start button seems to work but nothing happens, these are the first parts to inspect and test with a multimeter where appropriate. Enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact Magic Chef thermal fuse, door switch, wire harness, door latch, main control board, or drain pump that fits your dishwasher.

01 - Magic Chef Dishwasher Thermal Fuse

The thermal fuse shuts off power to the dishwasher if it overheats. If the thermal fuse blows, it will prevent the dishwasher from starting. To determine if the thermal fuse is defective, use a multimeter to test the fuse for continuity. If the thermal fuse does not have continuity, replace it.
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02 - Magic Chef Dishwasher Door Switch

The door switch prevents the dishwasher from running while the door is open. If the door switch is defective, the switch will prevent the dishwasher from running even when the door is closed. To determine if the door switch is at fault, use a multimeter to test the switch for continuity. If the switch does not have continuity, replace it.
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03 - Magic Chef Dishwasher Wire Harness

If the dishwasher start button appears to work, but the dishwasher still won't start, a wire harness which sends power from the control board to the pump components could be damaged. Inspect the wire harness for any frayed or broken wires and replace if necessary.
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04 - Magic Chef Dishwasher Door Latch

The door latch ensures that the dishwasher door latches shut. If the door does not latch properly, the door switch might prevent the dishwasher from running. If the door latch is broken, replace it.
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Highly Likely

05 - Magic Chef Dishwasher Main Control Board

The main control board provides power to nearly every component of the dishwasher. If there is a problem with the main control board, it might not send voltage to the dishwasher, causing the dishwasher not to start. Control boards are often misdiagnosed—make sure you check more commonly defective parts before replacing the main control board.
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Highly Likely

06 - Magic Chef Dishwasher Drain Pump

A dishwasher drain pump assists in removing the water from the tank at various times during operation. Since the unit will drain some water from the tank prior to the fill cycle beginning, a faulty drain pump unable to drain any water could prevent the dishwasher from starting.
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Highly Likely

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won't my Magic Chef dishwasher start even though it has power?
How do I know if the door latch or door switch is keeping my Magic Chef dishwasher from starting?
Can a blown thermal fuse keep a Magic Chef dishwasher from starting?
Can a bad drain pump stop a Magic Chef dishwasher from starting a cycle?
How do I find the right Magic Chef dishwasher part for my model?

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