Home › Dishwashers › Parts › Door latch and door switch

Dishwasher Door latch and door switch: What It Does and Signs It's Failing

The latch assembly sits inside the top edge of the door and hooks onto a strike on the tub. Built into it are one or more small switches that tell the control the door is closed and locked, and the machine won't run without that signal.

How it works

Closing the door pushes the latch over the strike, which presses the internal switch closed. The strike on the tub is usually adjustable so the latch engages firmly.

Signs it is failing

• The machine won't start or stops just after you press Start
• The door doesn't click shut or springs back open
• A door or door-sensor error code
• Water seeping out of the top corners of the door
• Buttons light up but nothing happens

Door-open and door-sensor codes point here. A misadjusted strike or an overloaded rack pushing the door outward can cause the same symptoms.

Can you replace it yourself?

Check that nothing is keeping the door from shutting fully, like a rack, a tall pan or a misaligned cabinet, and look at whether the strike on the tub needs adjusting. Replacing the latch means turning off the breaker and opening up the door panels to reach it; it's usually swapped as a whole assembly. Never bypass or jumper the door switch.

Buying the right part

Latches are model-specific and usually come with the switches built in. Order the OEM assembly by full model number.

Error codes linked to the door latch and door switch

• E06Door sensor circuit faultBosch
• CL / CdDoor not latchedFrigidaire
• DCDoor not closed properlySamsung
• All cycle and option lights flashingCycle paused (door opened)Whirlpool

Last reviewed 2026-10-19.