Why Dishwasher Keeps Tripping Breaker? [SOLVED] – Let’s Fix It

If your dishwasher keeps tripping breaker and you feel like the only solution is to replace it, there may be a few things you can check first to try and fix it. Depending on what kind of dishwasher you have, the model and manufacturer, there could be a few different issues causing your circuit breaker to trip.

When a dishwasher keeps tripping your home’s circuit breaker, the problem is often not with the dishwasher itself. It’s likely that it’s the electrical wiring or other appliances (like the fridge or oven) connected to the same circuit. That means that whatever you do, the breaker on that particular circuit will keep tripping.

If you’re experiencing problems with your dishwasher, there are a few possible reasons why it keeps tripping the breaker. Determining which issue is affecting your dishwasher will help you find a solution much more quickly than simply replacing parts or performing unnecessary troubleshooting.

Why Dishwasher Keeps Tripping Breaker – Troubleshooting and Diagnosis

You might have a problem with your dishwasher, specifically concerning its heating element or electrical connectors. This could be the reason why it’s tripping the breaker. If you inspect the appliance and find no problem, it may be time to call in an electrician.

Sometimes, the dishwasher draws more power than your current breaker will allow. This is what happens when a breaker trips. A breaker is there to protect the electrical components of your home from being damaged — and it does so by turning off automatically when the current draw of any given device in your home exceeds the limits of its circuit’s capacity.

1. Damaged Heating Element

Looking to clean the dishes that have piled up in your sink? Using a dishwasher is one of the most efficient and convenient ways to get everything back to normal. As you load in your dirty dishes, there’ll be times when you’ll find a heating element at the bottom of the dishwasher. This element sits in the center of a ‘U’ shaped heating system, with two electrical connectors on each end.

For a dishwasher, heating elements are used to heat up water and air. When the cycle is on, at the right moment of time, the heating elements turn on. And when the cycle is done, that’s when heating elements turn off.

If something inside your dishwasher hits the heating element, it could cause damage to the heating element’s surface. Sometimes, this damage can be hard to identify. When it happens in an older model, it might look like the heating element has been used for too long and is worn out. When it happens in a newer model, there could be small bumps and pits on the surface of the heating element.

If a heating element is damaged, it could become a safety hazard. In some cases, it might draw too much power and cause a breaker to trip.

Dishwasher heating elements don’t last forever. They’re meant to be replaced at intervals — typically every few years, according to manufacturers’ service manuals. When your dishwasher’s heating element needs replacing, head to the manufacturer’s website, and search for your dishwasher model. On the site, you should find a page that includes a list of compatible heating components, along with a link to purchase them.

Removing a dishwasher heating element can be tricky, but if you take these precautions, the appliance should be safe and secure by the end of it. First, turn off the breaker for your dishwasher and disconnect all wires that are connected to the machine. Then, locate the heating element inside the appliance and use a small wrench (or any other tool you might have on hand) to loosen and remove it.

2. Broken Electrical Connectors

Your dishwasher is a marvel of technology, but it also depends on electronics to function. For example, the dishwasher’s control board relies on electrical connectors in each component to form a circuit. This circuit powers each component and lets them communicate with the control board, so that they all work together and your dishwasher functions smoothly during the wash cycle.

Electrical connectors are the most likely part of a dishwasher to fail because they can be attached improperly. Dishwashers have many moving parts, so the vibrations can cause them to come loose or wire connections to expose. If you’re lucky, you may be able to fix it easily by tightening it down with an Allen wrench. However, if that doesn’t work, your dishwasher will need to be serviced by a qualified repair technician.

Dishwashers can also cause a circuit breaker to trip if too much electricity is being drawn through a short circuit. This can happen if any of the wires are exposed, or if there’s something wrapped around one of the wires that should not be there, such as a loose part on one of the racks.

If your dishwasher is tripping the breaker every time you use it, then there’s a good chance that the problem is due to your electrical connections. In many cases, a loose wire from a faulty connection will cause this problem. To fix this issue, unplug your dishwasher and inspect all of its connections for loose wires or exposed wires. If you find any issues, then you’ll need to tighten the connectors or replace the faulty wire altogether.

3. Faulty Transorb

The transient voltage suppression diode protects the appliance in the event of a surge or spike. It’s a critical electrical component that’s designed to protect the appliance from damage by absorbing and redirecting away harmful voltage spikes. These spikes are usually caused by lightning strikes, inductor switching, or power line transients.

The problem with a failing dishwasher transorb is that it’ll cause damage to your appliance, but it can also destroy the control board. It can also trip your home’s circuit breaker. So make sure when you see a bad smell from your dishwasher, check to see if the transorb has gone bad.

Dishwasher transorbs are replaceable parts that can replace a piping under the handle of your dishwasher. You might need to find a part number or product number on your current transorb prior to ordering a replacement. The Dishwasher Transorb is also referred to as a TVS diode and transient voltage suppression diode. “TVS” stands for transient voltage suppressor, a diode used to protect electronic components from voltage spikes caused by lightning or power surges. “Transorb” is the brand name given to this type of product.

From time to time, every appliance is going to need a little bit of work. But whatever issues you run into, the best approach is always to contact an experienced professional. They can help you diagnose your dishwasher problem, figure out whether a repair or replacement is needed, and restore your machine to peak performance.

4. Defective Control Board

As you can see, the control circuit board is like the brain of a dishwasher. It sets all the important parameters for your machine to work effectively. Components such as capacitors, transistors, and diodes are an important part of the circuit board. Also, it includes sensors that make sure that the right temperatures and right amounts of water are used inside the machine to wash your dishes.

When you press the button on your dishwasher to start a cycle, the control panel will send a signal to the dishwasher control circuit board. It will then pass power to all the necessary components, from pump and motor to heater and dispenser, making sure that your dishes are washed and dried, all under its guidance.

It is possible that the control board may have been exposed to too much moisture or heat from inside the machine. This can cause it to burn, which in turn could damage many other important parts of the machine. Damage from exposure to high temperatures or moisture, for example, can lead to all sorts of things going wrong — tripping your circuit breaker and other issues.

Broken dishwasher control boards are a common occurrence. A faulty control board is one of the more common reasons for a dishwasher to malfunction. So, before you run off to buy a replacement, be sure to check if it’s the right one for your model. You can consult your user manual or call the manufacturer to check if there are any compatibility or performance issues.

4. Dishwasher is Leaking

Aside from causing damage, a dishwasher that’s leaking water can cause electrical problems in your home. Even if you don’t think you have a leak, it’s worth checking the circuit breaker to make sure it hasn’t tripped because of water damage to your dishwasher.

You’ll know if your dishwasher is leaking because you’ll have water in places it’s not meant to be: on the floor, the countertop, or outside of the dishwasher. It could mean that you need to repair a leak, but it could also mean that the dishwasher tripped a breaker.

6. Faulty Dishwasher Motor

Dishwashers have motors built into their pumps, making it easier for them to push water through the hoses. They’ll clean dishes thoroughly and make sure every square inch of your dishwasher is sanitized. Water will be pumped out of your dishwasher as soon as you finish a cycle, leaving no moisture behind in your kitchen.

Mechanical parts in dishwasher motors can wear out over time. But if you take proper care of the motor and clean it regularly, cleaning detergents and water hardness can help extend its lifespan.

When something goes wrong with the motor, it could cause the machine to pull more power from the circuit. And if the other components, like heating elements or pumps, also start to draw power at the same time, that can cause a circuit breaker to trip.

A dishwasher breaker is designed to prevent the appliance from flooding your home if there is a larger problem. If the breaker trips, it usually means that it’s not a good time to keep running the appliance as it will break it down.

If you experience a strange noise coming from your dishwasher, it could be because it’s in need of a new motor. If you want to buy and replace the motor yourself, it’s probably best to call in a professional repairman. Your dishwasher may also require being re-calibrated after replacing the motor.

How Do I Fix A Dishwasher Tripping Breaker

Step One: Check For A Tripping Breaker

If you are connecting your dishwasher to an outlet and it is tripping the breaker it could be that the dishwasher is too heavy for the circuit. The breaker is designed to protect the appliance from getting overloaded by disconnecting the dishwasher from the electrical current.

First turn everything off. This includes other appliances and the dishwasher. Check your breaker and circuit breaker to see if they are on. Make sure they are all off.

Step Two: Try Another Outlet

You may need to move your dishwasher to another outlet. If the dishwasher is too heavy for the outlet it could trip the breaker.

Step Three: Contact A Qualified Appliance Repairman

If you are unable to fix the problem, you will need to contact a qualified appliance repairman.