How to Replace the Thermal Fuse Your Dishwasher

If you have a dishwasher that just plain old won’t start, one of the causes can be a blown thermal fuse. The thermal fuse is put in place to keep the dishwasher from getting too hot. If the dishwasher starts to overheat, the thermal fuse will trip and shut the dishwasher off. However, if the thermal fuse has gone defective, it will prevent the dishwasher from turning on altogether. This part can be tested for continuity with a multimeter, and if it is defective, it can be easily replaced.

Replacing a Thermal Fuse

To start this repair, start by disconnecting the dishwasher from the power source by flipping the circuit breaker. As this repair can be done without taking more than the door apart, you do not need to shut off the water, but the interior of your dishwasher should be dry before starting.

Start by removing the Torx screws on the interior of your dishwasher door which secure the control panel. After you finish this, the control panel should fold forward. You do not need to completely remove the control panel to access the thermal fuse.

You will now have access to the thermal fuse. Now would be the time to test it for continuity, or if you already have a replacement ready, you can make the repair. To remove the old fuse, you will need to release the locking tabs that keep it secure. You will now be able to pull the fuse forward so you can remove it out from under the locking tabs. Be sure to do this gently as there are wires still attached.

After removing the wires from the sides, you can reattach the wires to the new thermal fuse. You can then insert it back into the locking tab until it clicks. Reassemble your dishwasher, reconnect the power, and do a test wash. If this did not fix the issue, you may want to consider hiring a repair service to track down the true cause.