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Dishwasher Keeps Tripping Breaker? Dishwashers are the kind of appliance that you can ‘set and forget’. Just load them up with dishes, turn them on, and let them work.
Still, it can be very confusing and frustrating when a dishwasher keeps tripping your circuit breaker.
A dishwasher may be tripping your breaker because of a problem with the heating element, loose or short-circuiting electrical connectors, a shorted transorb, a problematic control circuit board, or even a faulty wash motor. These issues could lead to the dishwasher drawing too much current/power, causing the breaker to trip as a way of avoiding anything bad from happening.
In this article, we’re going to explore the possible reasons this problem keeps happening. By narrowing down the cause, you’ll be able to find a solution and resolve the issue much quicker.
Let’s get started.
Useful Ways To Narrow Down The Cause
When troubleshooting your dishwasher to figure out why it keeps tripping the breaker, it’s essential to ask the right troubleshooting questions. Here are a few to get you started.
Is The Dishwasher Plugged Into A GFCI?
Before anything else, check to see if your dishwasher is plugged into a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
The GFCI is also a type of circuit breaker that protects you by tripping whenever it detects an electrical current imbalance.
The difference here is that a GFCI doesn’t serve the whole house. Instead, it’s a wall socket into which you plug an appliance, such as your dishwasher.
Why This Matters
Well, suppose your dishwasher is plugged into a GFCI.
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If the problem lies with the dishwasher, then the GFCI will be the one tripping, not the house’s circuit breaker.
That will help you confirm that the problem is localized to the dishwasher.
However, suppose the house’s circuit breaker trips even though your dishwasher is plugged into a GFCI.
In that case, the problem may be elsewhere, and not with the dishwasher.
Does Dishwasher Keep Tripping Breaker Mid-Cycle?
To narrow down the problem to its source, it’s also crucial to figure out when the tripping actually happens.
Does it happen before, during, or after a dishwashing cycle? Or perhaps, does it happen randomly each time, with no clear pattern?
Why This Matters
You see, each stage of the dishwashing cycle will activate different components within the machine.
So, if the breaker trips during the same stage each time, then it’ll be much easier to know which part is causing the problem.
Dishwasher Keeps Tripping Breaker? Here’s Why…
Now, we’re going to look at the dishwasher components that may be causing the circuit breaker to trip.
We’ll explore the heating element, electrical connectors, the transorb, the control board, and lastly, the motor.
Heating Element
What it is: At the bottom of a dishwasher, you’ll find a heating element.
It’s typically in the shape of a horseshoe, with one electrical connector on both ends.
As the name suggests, the only thing this component does is heat up when the time is right.
In the dishwasher, that means the heating element activates to heat up the water during the wash and rinse cycles.
Towards the end of the dishwashing process, it’ll also heat up the air as part of the drying cycle.
Why it fails: A heating element can suffer damage in many different ways. It could’ve been hit by a plate or something else inside the dishwasher.
It could also have suffered a fault causing it to develop bumps or pits somewhere along the surface of the heating element.
Whatever the case may be, a damaged heating element could end up drawing far too much power or even cause a short circuit, causing the breaker to trip.
How to fix: Heating elements aren’t really meant to be fixed. Instead, it’s much easier to replace the damaged heating element entirely.
Start by referring to your user manual or checking online to find the exact heating element compatible with your dishwasher model.
If you decide to replace it yourself, be sure to disconnect all electrical and water supplies to the unit first.
Then, refer to the user manual to locate and access the existing heating element. The tools you’ll need are minimal, such as a small wrench or screwdriver.
Electrical Connectors
What it is: Every component inside your dishwasher has electrical connectors that allow them to form a circuit together.
These connectors help the part receive power so that they can function.
However, they also connect each component to the control board, coordinating and automating their activities throughout the dishwashing cycle.
Why it fails: Electrical connectors can cause problems in a few different ways.
For example, if they weren’t properly attached in the first place, they could simply come loose after many years.
That’s especially true when the connectors are exposed to the vibrations that the dishwasher generates.
Besides that, some of the wires to those connectors could also end up exposed.
When any of these things happen, it could create a short circuit within the dishwasher.
That’ll cause the breaker to trip as a way of preventing anything terrible from happening as a result.
How to fix: The solution to this problem is to inspect all electrical connectors for issues.
Loose connections must be reapplied and tightened, while exposed wires will need to be replaced.
Typically, this job is best left to qualified professionals who have the right skills, knowledge, and experience.
However, if you decide to do it yourself, always remember to disconnect the power and water supplies to the unit before accessing the dishwasher’s insides.
Transient Voltage Suppression Diode (or ‘Transorb’)
What it is: A critical electrical component inside a dishwasher is the transient voltage suppression diode, commonly known as the ‘transorb’ or ‘TVS diode’.
This component has a straightforward function: to protect the appliance from voltage spikes that might cause damage.
Such spikes usually happen in situations like lightning strikes and more.
Why it fails: The problem here happens when the transorb gets shorted for whatever reason. A shorted transorb can cause damage to the control board while simultaneously tripping your home’s circuit breaker.
How to fix: Thankfully, the transorb is a replaceable part.
First, refer to the user manual for any information on finding a compatible transorb for your particular dishwasher model.
Remember: it’s commonly referred to by other names like ‘TVS diode’ or ‘transient voltage suppression diode’.
Once you have your transorb kit, replacing the damaged one will require access to the electrical components inside the dishwasher itself.
That’s something that’s always best left to professionals. But of course, if you decide to replace it yourself, be sure to disconnect the water and power connectors first.
Control Circuit Board
What it is: Most appliances, especially dishwashers, have a component called the control circuit board.
The simplest way to think of it is as the ‘brain’ of the entire machine.
Once you’ve told it to start the dishwashing process through the control panel, the circuit board will then power and coordinate the whole process.
The right components will activate at the correct times to ensure that your dishes are washed and dried, all under the control board’s guidance.
Why it fails: Over time, control boards can experience damage.
Parts of it could’ve burned, or perhaps it may have inadvertently been exposed to too much moisture and heat from within the machine.
A damaged control board could lead to all sorts of unusual things happening, including the tripping of your circuit breaker.
How to fix: Control boards are a very common part to replace. The key is to find the correct one for your dishwasher model in particular.
So, be sure to refer to your user manual or call the manufacturer to identify the correct model.
A skilled technician could replace it for you, but if you’re feeling adventurous, be sure to disconnect the power and water supplies before you go tinkering inside the machine.
The control board is typically located within the dishwasher door but refer to your user manual to be sure.
Faulty Motor
What it is: Dishwashers will have a motor inside which powers the pump.
Doing so will help ensure that the pump has enough power to move water to wherever it needs to be.
Clean water will spray all over the dishwasher’s insides, while dirty water is then pumped out of the dishwasher.
Why it fails: Motors are mechanical in nature, and such parts tend to fail after experiencing plenty of wear and tear.
When that happens, the dishwasher motor could be pulling far more amps than usual.
That can cause problems, especially when other components in the machine, like the heating element, for instance, also start to power on at the same time.
All of that can result in a circuit breaker tripping due to the excessive amount of power that the dishwasher is drawing as a whole.
The breaker trips as a way of preventing anything terrible from happening due to what’s going on inside the dishwasher.
How to fix: Faulty motors need to be replaced. While it’s always best to refer to a professional, you could also replace it as a DIY job.
Just be warned; replacing a dishwasher’s motor is probably one of the most challenging parts to work on.
That’s because you will probably access the motor through the bottom of the dishwasher, requiring more time and effort than replacing most other parts.
As usual, disconnect the power and water supplies before starting. Since you’re accessing the bottom of the machine, you’ll also need to drain out all of the water beforehand.
my Hotpoint Aquarias trips breaker before cycle ended when opening up everything is hot what could it be ?
Stephen Thomas Cardiff
Is your dishwasher on its own dedicated circuit? If not, it might be overloaded. One way to test: If your dishwasher has a cord tail that plugs into an outlet, you could use an extension cord to run it off of another circuit. Do it for one or two load cycles. If it still trips the other circuit breaker, then you know it’s a unit issue and not the circuit. If it doesn’t trip, then it appears to be a circuit issue. If your dishwasher is hardwired, this test is not feasible without getting into the wiring at the unit’s junction box.
It sounds like a particular component is shorting out and causing the trip – something that only operates near the end of the cycle.
If there is still water in the tub, it may be the drain pump that is causing the breaker to trip.
One quick thing to try: If your circuit breaker is a GFCI or AFCI type (with a trip button), turn the breaker off. Now press and hold the trip button while turning the breaker back on. This will reset the breaker’s memory, so to speak, depending on the brand of breaker you have. It’s worked for me in the past, though not every time. Worth a shot.
There’s a slight possibility that the breaker is weak and needs to be replaced, but that is very rare.
Good morning
My dishwasher KitchenAid trip the breaker and we here a electrical noise at the machine. Not sure at what cycle but I thinks is at the cycle when the pump should start to remove the water. This happen twice at the same time and when we open the door we could feel the hot temperature that seem to be normal but the dishwasher is full of water? Do you think the problem is the pump?
Thant to get back to me
From what you describe, it sounds like it could indeed be a bad pump. Perhaps it has an internal short.
However, something else to consider: Is the circuit breaker an arc-fault style breaker? Many times, these arc-fault (AFCI) breakers are oversensitive and will nuisance trip under certain appliance loads. Please see this article for more info.
My L64 Ariston dishwasher trips the circuit breaker when it’s on the heat cycle (drying ) . The dishwasher does not trip but it trips the power to power points on opposite wall ( microwave etc ) thanks
I have lived in my new home 3 1/2 years. Dishwasher has not been used every day but recently used more often as our married grandkids and family are staying here while their home is being built. For the past 6 months, the dishwasher had been tripping the breaker. The breaker has a white “Test” button and the on/off switch. It is labeled “dishwasher/disposal”. Today, the dishwasher was set to run and tripped mid-cycle (it usually trips at end, leaving water in the bottom or a few days after last used). When it happens nether dishwasher or disposal will come on until re-set, but today after re-setting the disposal started working again but the dishwasher will not come on. Does this point to a specific component that had disabled the electrical connection or is my G.E. dishwasher fried?
Our dishwasher doesn’t actually flip the circuit breaker, but just stops working after the end of a cycle. No lights on the panel. I must turn off the circuit breaker and then turn it back on. Then the dishwasher runs for several cycles and goes dead again. Any thoughts?
Hey Jim I have the same problem can you respond to this if you find an answer thanks
I also have the exact same problem. Breaker doesn’t actually flip at all but about 24 hours later no lights on dishwasher and breaker needs turned off and then on again to get it to work. Did you ever find out how to fix this?
Hi, I’m having the same problem with my GE… The breaker doesn’t trip and the dishwasher lights go out not while it being used. Did you find a solution? This happened 2x in the last week and the fix was to turn off the breaker for 30 seconds then back on and the lights would go on again. This time that did not work.Thank you.
Karen, please take a look at these articles:
https://howtofixit.net/ge-profile-dishwasher-control-panel-problems-and-how-to-troubleshoot-them/
https://howtofixit.net/ge-dishwasher-troubleshooting-list-of-common-causes-and-how-to-fix-them/
https://howtofixit.net/how-to-troubleshoot-and-reset-ge-profile-dishwasher-e1-error-code/
These might not be for your specific model, but may lead you in the right direction. I don’t like assuming a bad control board too quickly, but since it keeps needing a reset, that might be your culprit.
Did you ever find a solution to this problem? I am experiencing with a GE model thanks!
I have to plug in my portable dishwasher into to GFCI wall outlet. But that GFCI outlet suddenly started tripping when I use the dishwasher. So I decided to try it using an extension cord to a distance outlet that has no GFCI and isn’t even grounded. It works fine. Any thoughts?
I don’t know when or what happened but when we went to run the dishwasher, nothing. Checked circuit breaker and it was tripped. Rest breaker and as soon as I kicked the breaker on the dishwasher made a loud click or pop. Tripped breaker again and when I reset breaker and turn back on it pops and trips circuit breaker immediately. Any ideas? Thank you.
Hi Brandon,
This sounds like you have a dead short in the dishwasher or in the wiring serving the dishwasher. If you are confident in your abilities, follow these steps:
With the breaker OFF, you can look inside the small junction box under the dishwasher (typically on the right side near the front of the dishwasher, behind the skirt).
Undo the wiring connections on the black and white wires.
Cap off (or tape off) the circuit wires (not the dishwasher wires) so that no copper is exposed.
Turn the breaker on.
If the breaker now resets, the problem is either with the connection you disconnected, or in the dishwasher itself.
If the breaker still won’t reset, there is a problem on the circuit. That would require more extensive testing of the house electrical system. One possibility is that the circuit wire got pinched behind the dishwasher when it was installed. Vibration over time can finally rub through the wire sheathing and insulation.
Hope that helps!
Dishwasher breaker flips when dishwasher is off. House was gutted and all new wiring and appliances.
Dishwasher can be off for 18 hours and dedicated breaker will flip.
Hi Douglas,
Is it on an arc-fault breaker? You can tell by looking to see if the breaker has a small test button on it (usually blue, white, yellow, or pink, depending on breaker brand). Many appliances will trip these arc-fault breakers, even though there is nothing wrong with the appliance. The code requirement for these breakers was implemented before the technology was perfected. This has caused much frustration for us electricians over the years.
I would disconnect the dishwasher and see if the breaker still trips. Is so, then the problem is in the circuit. If not, then the breaker does not like something in the dishwasher. Your only code-compliant option is to get a different dishwasher (ugh!) or try a different arc-fault breaker, hoping it is not as sensitive.
Many folks have resorted to changing the arc-fault breaker out with a standard breaker and have been happy ever since. But I won’t recommend that due to liability issues.
Hope this helps!
My dishwasher is on an kitchen island, I do not know if it’s plugged into a GFCI but it has a switch (like a light switch) to control the power. Sometimes the breaker flips midcycle, sometimes it flips when it’s not in use at all. On a related topic, my GFCI plugs on the same kitchen island flips as well however it’s on a separate breaker. Should I start by replacing both breakers to see if that resolves the issue?
Yeah, try to replace breaker first.
Thank you
My AEG favourite has blew up the main suppressor twice! After repair it tripping RCD breaker 10min from beginning of the washing cycle and at 20min before the end of te end cycle! That’s happening from time to time Not always.
Looking forward to hearing from you
Michael
CFGI flicks midcycle. Home is 50 years old. Cfgi is new seems to only do it when draining. When they redid the kitchen they made it kind of impossible to pull dishwasher (2ish years old probably based on model) out. Trying to see if I have options to possibly fix it with limited access. Any thoughts?
Why do you need CFGI for the dishwasher? Do you live in California?
So the weird thing is the CFGI that’s flicking is on a separate breaker. The dishwasher is on a dedicated line and we have now gotten an electrician to come out and check breaker and CFGI to make sure wired correctly everything checks out but Dishwasher still flicks at the exact same time in the cycle. About midway through the wash near a hard drain and restart of water flow. We tested draining nothing happened it’s just that one part the flicks it.
Both the breakers for the dishwasher and microwave are tripping should I cal an electrician first?
Had my LG dishwasher for almost 2 years before it started tripping the breaker. Spent all together $200 to have it repaired. The first guy fixed it for 45 days the second guy said to change the amp on the breaker from 15 to 30! Does that even make sense?
The guy telling you to increase the amp of the breaker should not be allowed to call himself an electrician! Circuit breakers serve a purpose: to cut the power and prevent your electrical circuit from overheating and cause fire.
A tripping CFGI is something entirely different. It means that current is ‘flowing away’ to ground. I don’t know the rules for the US but here in Belgium (230V) CFGI’s are mandatory for ‘wet’ environments (bathrooms, kitchens…) and should trip at 30 milli amps. The entire circuit of your home should be protected with a CFGI of 300mA. Stray current, even very low amps, might not trip the circuit breaker but can be lethal when you are in bath or taking a shower.
If you have no knowledge of electricity, please don’t start fixing it yourself but call a skilled electrician. It can save your life.
My GE dishwasher randomly chirps and comes to life and occasionally has no power all when not in use?
1. Loose power connection
2. Faulty control board
For no rhyme or reason my dedicated dishwasher circuit will trip… ??
Our Bosch dishwasher trips every end of the cycle. Technician inspected and said there is no issue found on heating element, but he can’t locate the exact issue. Does it make sense to replace breaker to try?
My dishwasher will trip on its own dedicated breaker a half hour or so after it completes its cycle. It runs all the way through but will trip after cycle completion. It is on its own dedicated breaker and I can’t figure out what is happening. Any ideas?
So, what if it trips the breaker mid-cycle? I know the pump is running; I can hear the water flowing/cascading…pretty sure it’s not the heating element; it doesn’t trip at the beginning or end of the cycle. Just mid-cycle. Once the breaker gets flipped back, it runs until complete. Any help would be appropriated!!!
I think you just need to replace the breaker
What a highly useful post! Thank you so very much for helping out the DYI community. I live quite remote for service and being handy helps with excessive service costs. Servicemen are quite valuable, but simple fixes help me fix this type of smaller problem!
You are welcome
Brand new house and a brand new Whirlpool dishwasher on its own dedicated circuit in the breaker. The dishwasher just started tripping each time we attempt to run it either at the beginning, middle or end of its wash cycle. Incredibly frustrating.
I had same problem, cleaned the filter (didn’t know about it for 1st year) on the bottom and it was fixed
Thank-you for the very insightful information.
You are welcome