It is probably the drain pump you can hear running. It will turn on and keep running if water has leaked in to the base tray. Pull the dishwasher forward and tip it back as far as you can and see if water flows out of the tray on to the floor. Have a towel ready. Once the water is out the dishwasher should work again. If it happens again then you must have a leak somewhere.
Lincoln Appliance NZ, December 2017
