A dishwasher that stays completely dark and unresponsive when you press start can feel like a serious failure, but the cause is often something you can check yourself in a couple of minutes.
Step 1: Confirm the Door Is Fully Latched
Most dishwashers won’t start at all unless the door sensor detects a full, secure latch. Open and firmly close the door, listening or feeling for the latch click into place, and check for anything — a dish towel, a tall item on the top rack — preventing a complete close.
Step 2: Look for an Engaged Control Lock
Many models include a control lock feature, often engaged by holding a specific button for a few seconds, that’s meant to prevent kids from starting or interrupting a cycle. If it’s active, the panel may light up normally while ignoring start presses entirely.
Step 3: Check Power at the Source
Confirm the dedicated circuit breaker hasn’t tripped, and if accessible, that the unit is fully seated in its power connection behind the lower kickplate.
Step 4: Try a Delayed or Selected Cycle
Occasionally a specific cycle selection or an active delay-start setting from a previous use can make the unit appear unresponsive when it’s actually just waiting. Cancel any active selection and start fresh.
Next Steps
If none of this resolves it, visit our Bertazzoni dishwasher repair page to book a diagnostic.