Kitchenaid Dishwasher Latch Broken

Its probably loose. pull the unit out and tighten it or fix any broken parts.

Well I'll try to help you get this opened. I don't know how much space you have at the top side edge of the dishwasher. You need a long stiff rod like a metal clothes hanger straightened so it can reach from the side to a little past the dishwasher middle. You need to push it in between the door top and the dishwasher body up at the latch area. What holds the door closed is a flat metal piece with a plastic hook on the end facing down towards the floor. You need to try and get the rod under the metal piece and lift it slightly, hopefully to unhook the the door. If you can't do that, the only alternative is to pull hard on the door handle and you should be able to break the plastic part of the latch which will then have to be replaced. The part that should break is the top hook which would be an easy replacement, but I can't be sure thats all the damage to the latch that will happen. It may do some damage to the part inside the door also. This is last resort. I'll try to attach a parts breakdown of the tub so you can see the latch hook. Look at item #50

The idea is to lift up on the part of the latch that is fixed to the body of the washer. The door part of the latch slides under this peice. If the handle mechanism is broken, it will not depres the door part of the latch to allow it to open. therefore, we have to pickup the latch part fixed to the body.

To get the door open, take a clothes hanger and cut off a 12" peice with a pair of pliers. Bend the last 1.25" at 90 degress angle. Make another bend about 4 " from that to make another 90 degree angle. This will give you leverage. Insert the first bent end between the top of the door and the counter. Rotate it so that the end is facing down. Feel for a metal plate. When you hit the plate with the probe, turn your hanger so that it lifts up the plate and simultaneously pull on the door handle. The door should come open.

Now you have to get the handle repaired, but at least you know how to open the door.

Hello, I read your comment. If the latch is broken, then I suggest first of all disconect the electricity from the dishwasher. You may want to try using a small screwdriver and insert it where the latch is to activate the opening mechanism. If it doesnt open, then there are two options, I suggest to call the technical service to replace the door with a new latch.

Hope I have been of help.

Regards Nevd ´ll fixya.

We have the same problem and I bought the latch locally for $26.00 now trying to figure out exactly how to get the door apart to replace.

To open this latch, the handle works as a lever to push inward when you push up on the handle. If your handle if broken, it has probably ceased to work as a lever (the pivot pins have likely broken). You want to push in on the handle to open the latch, ideally toward the bottom of the handle opening. Once you get the latch open, you'll likely want to order a replacement (here is one source : http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Door-Latch/W10130694/1266678 ). Remember to turn off the power to the dishwasher, and you'll need a star head driver to remove the screws from the inside of the door to access and replace the latch.

Andrew

yea but the trick is the latch acces is behind console not the front panel, you need to unistall the d/w slightly to remove strike plate holding broken latch closed, door needs to be opened to gain access to console screws

sounds as if your door latch/handle is broken internally.your dishwasher is installed with 2 screws to theunderside of your countertop. its tricky but youll have to remove them (adjusting to leveling legs down will give you more room to get some kinda a phillips head bit in ther to remove the screws), once out slide the d/w foward and remove the strike plate door will open at least get your dishes out

If the door handle appears loose, you could have a broken door latch which will prevent the dishwasher from running if the door is not able to latch properly. The latch usually has two micro switches that are pretty delicate. Not to accuse you of abusing your appliance, but if you're in the habit of slamming the dishwasher door shut, you could inadvertently break the switches in the door. The switch assembly and handle are sold separately, so you may need to purchase both. Let me know if this helps.

I just had this problem (or should I say, finally had the time to deal with it). Google searches revealed different ways to get the door open including repairmen with crowbars (causing replacement of the entire control assembly $$$), having to back out the top screws that hold the dishwasher in place (and to the top of the counter) with pliers, then moving the dishwasher out from the counter.

Nuts to all that.

First things first. Turn OFF the power to the dishwasher.

I wound up on my back first watching how the handle moved and which side seemed to be loose, in my case the right side was moving freely. After first trying to hold the handle in the "down" position with a springhook (to no avail) I wound up biasing the handle to the right (with a screwdriver inserted on the left side of the handle) while moving the handle in the "operate" direction. Suddenly (and without warning) the entire handle assembly moved to the right and created an opening that made it simple to stick a screwdriver up to operate the latch manually.

Four screws later the control panel was out, the offending broken handle assembly was in my hands to discover that they could have easily made the little tabs the hold the handle in place a whole lot sturdier, but let's not go there...

If I had to do the whole thing again it would have taken me less than 5 minutes to open it up I'm sure. Now to simply order the part and install it when it arrives. The best part is we can still run the dishwasher until it gets here!