What is actually happening
Dishwashers heat their own water, so a cold cycle usually means the element or its control has failed. It shows up as two complaints at once — dishes still greasy and dishes still wet — because both depend on the same heat. On many machines the cycle will still run to the end, which is why it can go unnoticed for weeks.
The usual causes
- A failed heating element or flow-through heater
- A failed thermostat or NTC sensor
- A control board fault where the element itself is sound
- Limescale on the element in a hard-water area
What you can safely check yourself
Work through these in order. Anything past this point — panels off, testing parts, anything to do with the wiring — is an engineer's job, and not one to attempt with the appliance plugged in.
- Open the door partway through a hot cycle — the steam and warmth should be obvious
- Note whether dishes are also coming out wet, which points the same way
Still not heating the water?
Most of these need an engineer once the checks above are done. £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
Local engineers covering Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire — same and next-day appointments, and the person who comes out is one of ours, not a subcontractor.
Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need
Common questions
Why is my dishwasher not heating the water?
The cycle runs but the water stays cold, so grease stays put and nothing dries. Dishwashers heat their own water, so a cold cycle usually means the element or its control has failed. It shows up as two complaints at once — dishes still greasy and dishes still wet — because both depend on the same heat. On many machines the cycle will still run to the end, which is why it can go unnoticed for weeks.
Can I fix a dishwasher not heating the water myself?
Open the door partway through a hot cycle — the steam and warmth should be obvious. Note whether dishes are also coming out wet, which points the same way. Beyond those checks this one normally needs an engineer.
How much does it cost to repair a dishwasher not heating the water?
£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
Other dishwasher faults
- dishwasher not draining
- dishwasher will not switch on
- dishwasher not cleaning the dishes
- dishwasher not drying the dishes
- dishwasher leaking
- dishwasher lights flashing
- dishwasher beeping mid-cycle
- dishwasher door will not close