Washing Machine Problems

Although washing machines are very simple and reliable appliances which can last for years, they do occasionally go wrong. Fortunately a washing machine is one of the simpler appliances in your home to troubleshoot and finding and repairing the problem can often be quick, easy and cheap (if not free). Although washing machine faults do sometimes need a major component replaced by a qualified engineer, very often the problem is being caused by something minor and just a few minutes of troubleshooting can resolve the fault. Below are some of the most common washing machine problems, and what you can do to fix them.

Remember when looking at your washing machine, as with any other electrical appliance – always turn off the power before you start troubleshooting.

The Washing Machine does not fill with Water – water enters the washing machine from the inlet hose at the back. Check to make sure the hose is not kinked, that the stop tap is open and that water is otherwise available to your washing machine from your homes water supply. If all seems ok then the door catch, water level switch or the timer could have a problem. Make sure that the door shut and catches properly. The water level switch is houses in the control panel and can be checked with a voltmeter to make sure it is operating correctly.

The Washing Machine does not Drain – As above but this time check the drainage/outlet hose for kinks or blockages. If the hose seems ok then the fault could lie with the pump or the motors drive belt. Examining these might be a bit beyond your level of knowledge, but if you are mechanically minded then it is simple enough.  The pump is found alongside the motor and is attached to the motors shaft with clips. Remove the clips to free the pump and then have a look for any blockages. The drive belt can be tightened by loosening the motor slightly and pulling it back to tighten the belt, then tighten the motor mount again.

The Washing Machine is Leaking – There are various places on a washing machine where leaks can occur. The front door seal can become dislodged when loading or pulling out clothes and is an easy fix so check it is flush and snug within the front door. The hoses at the back of the washing machine should also be checked for any damage. Sometimes the pump can leak so it is worth having a look at that as well.

The Washing Machine is very Loud/Noisy – This could be as simple as the washing machine being overloaded beyond its recommended limit. Also check that the machine is stable, level and that it has enough room to vibrate without hitting anything around it.

The Washing Machine does not Spin – This can be a more serious problem such as the gearbox or spin solenoid but it the washing load is to heavy or unbalanced then the washing might might not spin. Easy to test – try running the washing machine empty or with a light load. Also try rotating the drum with your hand to make sure it can turn freely.