Each drawer in a DishDrawer unit includes a float switch in its base sump that watches for water where it shouldn’t be. If it detects any, the drawer shuts down and won’t restart until the condition clears — a response that can feel like a sudden failure but is actually a built-in safeguard doing its job.
Why This Exists
A dishwasher tucked into cabinetry can leak for a surprisingly long time before anyone notices, quietly damaging flooring and cabinet bases in the process. A float switch that shuts the drawer down at the first sign of water outside the tub is designed specifically to catch that early.
The Right Response
If a drawer refuses to start and you suspect this is why, check underneath and around the unit for visible water before doing anything else. Don’t keep restarting the drawer repeatedly hoping it clears on its own — if there’s an active leak, running it again risks real water damage.
Real Leak vs. False Trigger
Condensation buildup or a float switch that’s become stuck can occasionally cause a false trigger with no actual leak present. Telling a false alarm apart from a genuine one reliably requires a technician’s inspection rather than a guess.
Bottom Line
Treat every leak shutdown as real until proven otherwise — it’s a minor inconvenience next to the water damage it exists to prevent. Visit our Fisher & Paykel dishwasher repair page to book a visit.