Washing machine problems & repair solutions

The most common job requested out of all the services we offer is washing machine repair. It’s for this reason that we decided it would be a great topic on which to launch our new blog.

In the following article we’ve tried to highlight some of the most common problems that our customers have experienced with their washing machines and what to check before calling a repair engineer. By following the steps outlined below and checking the machine before calling you could save the cost of the callout charge if you manage to resolve the problem yourself.

Washing machine won’t start.

If your washing machine won’t start the first thing to check is that the power is on and it is plugged into the mains. Next check that the power switch is on and/or the control switch is in the out position. Try a different program setting and finally try replacing the fuse in the plug.

Washing machine Hums when turned on.

If the washing machine hums but doesn’t start a cycle, check that your main water supply is turned on. Check the water supply pipes are free of any kinks and not constricted in any way as this could stop the water supply to the machine. If your washing machine is located in a cold, un-insulated or outside room there could be a possibility that the water pipes are frozen.

Washing machine doesn’t drain.

The most common cause of a washing machine not draining is a blocked filter. Make sure you empty the water from the machine before removing the filter as this will lead to a flood! The best way to manually empty the water from a washing machine is to release clip holding the waste hose from the back of the washing machine and lay the hose down on the floor and let the water run out into a washing-up bowl. On the majority of washing machines the height of the waste hose stops the water running out of the machine so if your hose is located at the top of the machine you will not be able to use this method. Instead look for a small panel on the front at the bottom of the machine where you will find a drain pipe. Be aware that the flow of water is sometimes really slow so wait until the machine has been drained then remove and clean the filter. If you can’t find anything wrong with the filter don’t attempt to refill the machine instead call an engineer.

Washing machine drum doesn’t rotate.

This could be caused by a number of factors from a broken drum belt to a faulty motor, we’ve even found a jammed drum to be caused by a piece of clothing! Some machines have what is known as ‘out of balanced spin protection’, this will stop your washing machine from going into the spin cycle if you are trying to wash a really heavy or small load. The main thing to remember is that an accurate diagnosis is needed before anything can be done. The majority of people think that a major part is faulty when in actual fact the fault is trivial.

Washing machine door won’t open.

This can be a symptom of another fault as the door remains locked if the water has not been pumped from the system (see the Washing Machine Not Draining section above). Do not attempt to force the door open as this can lead to a broken door, and end up costing you more to repair. If the machine has drained the water and the door still will not open it could be due to a faulty locking mechanism or door handle.

Washing machine timer is sticking.

While this is a fault we see time and time again it is rarely caused by a problem with the actual timer. More often than not it is cause by the malfunction of another part of the washing machine.

Washing machine spin cycle noise.

A noisy spin cycle is commonly caused by worn drum bearings. A good way to check is to see if there is a rust stain under the washing machine and to give the spindle a wiggle to see if it is excessively loose. If neither of these tests yields any results the noise may be coming from the motor or loose parts inside the machine. Make sure to check that the machine is standing on its base and is not unbalanced in anyway.

Washing machine wobbles.

A wobbling washing machine is sometimes caused by worn drum bearings as when these bearings wear down the drum no longer rotates in a circular motion. Often a wobbling machine is caused by a large load that forms a ball and offsets the balance of the machine. If this is the cause of the wobble re-loading the machine should solve this problem.

Washing machine fills up when not in use.

If your washing machine waste pipe is connected to your sink it could be that the water draining out of the sink is going down the pipe and into the machine. This is caused by the washing machine waste pipe being too low so that the water from the sink chooses the washer pipe instead of the main sink drain. You can resolve the problem by raising the height of the washing machine waste pipe. Another cause of this problem is a faulty inlet valve that lets water in continuously. If this is the case you will need to turn off the water supply to the machine so the valve can be replaced.

Washing machine fills up and empties.

This can be caused by the waste hose being below the fill level of the washer and creates a siphon system. The waste pipe should not be installed in a u-bend shape or below the water level in the machine.

Washing machine flooding.

If your washing machine causes a flood the first thing to check is the drain pipe, check that it is not blocked or obstructed in any way. The next thing to check is the water level control system as this can sometimes cause the washing machine water level to over fill and cause flooding. If your washing machine is leaking this can be caused by faulty components like the door, hose, pump or broken seals.

Washing machine leaks when not in use.

A leaking washing machine can be caused by a damaged inlet hose, the inlet hose washers or faulting inlet taps. Sometimes the pump may leak really slowly taking a day or so for the water to stop after a wash.

Smoking washing machine drum.

Smoke inside the washing machine can be caused by a faulty water level control system. If the heater starts up with no water inside the machine this can sometimes produce smoke inside the drum. If this is the case switch off the machine and do not attempt to use it until a qualified engineer has diagnosed the problem and fixed it. If the problems seems to fix itself do not use the machine as a faulty water level control system could also cause a flood.