A dishwasher won’t work properly when its door does not latch. A door latch is a critical safety feature that keeps the dishwasher water circulating inside it. This feature protects your kitchen floor from flooding.
Also, it spares you the risk of slipping and falling. There is no need to mention that when your Frigidaire dishwasher is not latching, there is a potential risk of electrocution.
Various reasons, including faulty springs or uneven leveling, will make your dishwasher fail to latch properly. Sometimes, there might be stuck debris or other items preventing the door seal from closing correctly.
This blog post explores why your Frigidaire dishwasher does not latch. Also, we’ll discuss the right fixes for them. So, stay tuned to find the right solution for this issue!
Why is your Frigidaire Dishwasher Not Latching?
You can identify a problematic dishwasher door when you do not hear it latch. The latching sound indicates that the door is secured and sealed and the dishwasher will not leak to the floor. One of the most common reasons behind this issue is faulty door hinges.
Another common cause is a broken tension cable or a damaged door spring. A worn door gasket could also be the main culprit in this problem. Now let’s take a closer look at all the causes and how to diagnose them:
1. An Unlevelled Dishwasher
You might think that a misaligned dishwasher won’t affect its door. However, if your Frigidaire dishwasher has a plastic tub, it must be perfectly leveled. Otherwise, it will keep banging into the cabinet as it is usually not balanced.
This might lead to the door not closing properly—no need to mention that an unbalanced dishwasher will make vibration and banging noises.
2. Damaged Door Hinges
A Frigidaire Dishwasher Hinge Cable facilitates the opening and closing of its door. You can identify a hinge problem if you hear a mild squeak whenever you close the door. The most common problem that a door hinge has is corrosion.
Over time, the component may come in contact with water leading to rust and corrosion. However, hinges may often become broken or damaged, preventing a Frigidaire dishwasher from latching.
Sometimes, the issue is as simple as loose screws that stop the hinges from sealing the door correctly. Regardless of the hinges’ condition, you must check them to take the right action.
3. Check out the Springs
As you open and close the dishwasher door, its springs become more prone to damage. Without functional springs, the door will lose its balance. One spring on each side of the appliance supports the door’s weight.
Malfunctioning springs will make the door open unevenly or even drop down without an alarm. Springs are located close to the hinges, so it won’t hurt to inspect both parts simultaneously.
4. Defective Dishwasher Door Latch
In all dishwasher models, a door latch secures the operation of these appliances. So, without a functional latch, a Frigidaire dishwasher will never run. The latch also sets off a sensor that detects when it is safe to run the washer.
In addition to the casual wear and tear, a door latch can be misaligned. This usually happens when you carelessly shut the door. This forces the latch out of alignment, which means it will no longer stick to its alcove.
5. Stuck Racks between the Seal and Tub
Placing dishes, glasses, and cookware inside the dishwasher can affect the door functionality. If you don’t stack the dishes correctly, the rack will either become stuck or protrude. Either way, the door won’t latch in this case.
6. Bad Strike Plate
A dishwasher strike plate is a small but essential part of the door assembly. This component is usually located at the top part of the assembly. If this plate is functional, the latch should be inserted smoothly. Otherwise, the door won’t close, and the dishwasher won’t run.
7. Old Door Gasket
A door gasket in a Frigidaire dishwasher seals the gap between the door and the tub. This part contributes to the functionality of the door latch. If something is wrong with the gasket, the latch won’t work. As a result, the dishwasher will either leak or not run in the first place.
8. An Unclean Door Latch
Yes, you’ve read that right. A dirty latch won’t allow a Frigidaire dishwasher to latch properly. A soapy door latch will give you a false impression that the latch is bad. But the whole issue will be a blocked latch with stuck food particles and soapy suds.
9. Defective Dishwasher Door Cable
A door cable has a similar function to what the springs do. It contributes to supporting the door weight. If this cable malfunctions, the door won’t latch correctly. Moreover, it will lead to the failure of the surrounding components, like the hinges and springs. A defective cable will put more strain on these parts. So, eventually, they will malfunction too.
How to Fix a Frigidaire Dishwasher Not Latching
Solving the problem of a frigidaire dishwasher not latching is not complicated. You may be able to DIY troubleshoot the faulty parts if you correctly diagnose them. In most cases, you won’t need any help from an appliance technician if you know how to remove faulty parts and replace new ones.
1. Level the Dishwasher
Leveling a dishwasher should be done along with the dishwasher installation. However, if it begins to tilt or becomes unbalanced at any time, you should level it once again. It is common for the back legs to be higher than the front ones.
However, it can be the other way around. You can recognize the higher legs by the way the dishwasher racks roll. Or simply bring a spirit level.
Fortunately, these legs are easily adjustable through their screws. You can rotate the legs in the anti-clockwise direction to lengthen them. If you rotate them in the opposite direction, they will become shorter.
2. Replace the Hinges
To correctly diagnose a hinges problem, you will need to access them. All it takes is removing the front panel to see the hinges. If you find their screws loose, you can tighten them. In case of damage or corrosion, you will need new hinges.
3. Get New Springs
Spring coils will malfunction if they are damaged or corrupted. Luckily, you can easily spot any abnormalities in these coils. Once you are sure about the malfunction, you should get a new set of springs.
4. Change the Latch
Unfortunately, a dishwasher door latch can’t be fixed. It should be replaced with the earliest signs of malfunction. Changing a door latch is simple, but you can consult with a Highly-rated, verified Expert if you have any doubts.
If you plan to DIY the replacement process, ensure its electrical connections remain intact. Place the new latch right where the old one was and reconnect the wires.
5. Remove and Reinsert the Racks
If you find that racks are protruding or any stuck objects preventing the door from latching, you should remove the stuck item. Also, removing and reinserting the racks and changing the dishes’ order might help solve the protrusion issue.
There could be some stuck utensils preventing the door from sealing. It is also useful to check the user manual for reference on how to stack your Frigidaire dishwasher.
6. Get a New Latch Plate
Getting a new plate for the dishwasher is not costly or complicated. You can get a new one from a reliable local dealer. These plates are either made of metal or plastic. The first type is common in older dishwashers. It rarely becomes damaged, but it may rust over time.
The other type is more prone to damage. Sometimes, the only thing wrong with these plates is loose or corroded screws. So, tighten or replace them accordingly.
7. Replace the Gasket
If the door gasket is slightly loose, you will notice a minor water leak when the machine runs. However, neglecting this minor problem will lead to severe complications. Eventually, the gasket will become completely loose and even fall off place. This will make shutting the door impossible.
Replacing an old gasket is simple, especially if the older one is already loose. All it takes is removing the old part and securing the new one. In some models, however, you might have to remove the whole door to remove the old gasket.
8. Clean the Latch
If your Frigidaire dishwasher is not latching, you may want to change it immediately. However, cleaning it with a damp sponge will remove all the stuck deposits.
9. Replace the Door Cables
A frigidaire dishwasher comes with a set of 2 door cables. Sometimes, both cables collapse simultaneously. But in other cases, one of them falls apart. However, it is recommended to replace the entire set either way.
Adrian is an ISCET licensed professional that has completed the National Appliance Service Technician Certification Exam and has the expertise to diagnose and repair any appliance. He is well-versed in the latest technologies and techniques and is always up-to-date on the latest industry standards.
