Fault Diagnosis on a Washing Machine

by / Tuesday, 11 November 2014 / Published in Washing machines

Paul Says

How to find your fault on your washing machine.

This short guide is designed to outline the most common problems on a washing machine, although many people that read this tutorial are looking for a quick way to find out how to repair a washing machine there are not really any shortcuts. What this guide is intended to do is compliment all the other information that you will find in the site detailing individual washing machine tutorials on how to repair the faults as well as the other articles in this section to allow you to correctly diagnose the problem or, at least have a clue about what the fault is and how to go about repairing your washing machine. You will always be able to ask questions in the blog for people to answer or us.

Safety First,

When accessing the washing machine, make sure you disconnect the washing machine from the electric supply

Specific Washing Machine fault to see causes and solutions

  • Appliance is leaking
  • Appliance will not start
  • Clothes are damaged after washing
  • Clothes are still dirty
  • Door will not open at end of programme
  • Drum will not rotate
  • Machine overfills and floods
  • No water entering machine
  • Stuck on wash cycle
  • Washer doesn’t fill with water
  • Washer/Dryer doesn’t dry

Common Washing Machine Problems.

Please bear in mind that this washing machine and washer dryer guide is very generic and offers only rough guidance and not our expert opinion on any one appliance or brand they are all slightly different, so some common sense will be required.

Washing machine will not start, no power.

There are lots of things that can cause this to happen but as with any fault diagnosis, start at the beginning and work through the problem methodically. So begin at the plug and make sure that there is power to the socket and that the fuse is okay before looking any further.

  • Mains filter
  • Door lock
  • Mains cable & terminal block
  • Main power switch
  • Control module or PCB

Washing machine noisy.

Objects trapped in between the outer tub and drum can also be the cause of noise, things like bra wires are extremely common to be retrieved from around the heater between the drum and they can cause damage to the machine and any clothing in it. If you can, remove the wires before washing or wash them in a special wash bag.
When machines are a few years old then it is very possible that the bearings are either faulty, or starting to collapse. With bearings the sooner that they are replaced the better as there is liable to do less damage, not using or minimising the use will help to avoid further damage.
Replace them as soon as you can see videos on how to change bearings.
Suspension stability can also cause excessive noise; obviously a fault with the suspension system can also produce a lot of noise from the machine shaking badly.

  • Noisy pump
  • Object in the drain pump
  • Object trapped in the tub
  • Bearings faulty
  • Washing machine not levelled correctly
  • Faulty dampers or suspension
  • Poor flooring or installation

Washing machine will not drain or is noisy on drain.

Generally this will be some sort of drain pump failure or blockage, see video for more help on this.

  • Drain pump blocked
  • Drain pump faulty
  • Waste outlet hose blocked
  • Sump hose blocked
  • Object in pump (coin, screw, baby sock ETC)
  • Poor flooring or installation

Washing machines drum not washing, turning or spinning.

Normally when this happens people often assume that the belt is faulty and, whilst this can be one of the causes it likely,
The most common fault still is if they have fitted the carbon brushes to the motor. See videos on this topic.
It can also be a problem with the speed control PCB or module or even what is referred to as the “tacho generator” on the washing machine’s motor.
Assuming everything else works these should be checked:

  • Belt
  • Faulty carbon brushes
  • Speed control PCB or module
  • Motor capacitor (where fitted)
  • Main control module
  • Motor faulty

Washing machine not heating or over heating.

Pretty easy one usually, in most cases there will be a faulty heater, thermostat, thermistor or pressure switch but there can be other causes. See videos on this topic.

  • Heater
  • Thermostat
  • Thermistor
  • Pressure switch/level sensor
  • Timer or control PCB/module

Washing machine not spinning.

(Also see previous ‘Washing machines drum not washing, turning or spinning.’)
Remember if the machine cannot drain within its time frame correctly then the spin will often abort so bear this in mind when looking for a problem.

  • Faulty or worn carbon brushes
  • Blocked pump or drain
  • Speed control PCB/module
  • Faulty contacts on fast cam within the timer
  • Faulty capacitor (where fitted)
  • Faulty motor
  • Faulty motor tacho
  • Overloaded or out of balance, can be made worse by poor installation or flooring
  • Faulty pressure switch

Washing machine not filling.

First, check the water supply is okay! Taps can stop working or you end up with very low water pressure.
Check the water valves or solenoids
Pressure switch is connected to the pressure chamber by a small bore air hose these can become faulty or the air passage can block.

  • Water supply
  • Water fill valve
  • Pressure switch
  • Control PCB/module
  • Bad smell from washing machine
  • door seal mouldy
  • Mould problems on seals and hoses.
  • dirty soap drawers.
  • Waste hose or trap problem

Washing machine lights flash and won’t work

This is most likely a new electronically controlled machine and the flashing lights will almost certainly be giving you a fault code

  • See manual to find code fault

Washing machine leaks from the front (see video tutorial on this)

  • Soap Drawer
  • Soap Drawer box to tub hose
  • Door Seal
  • Door glass
  • Washing machine leaking from underneath (see video tutorial on this)
  • Drain pump leaking
  • Filter is leaking
  • Tub gasket leaking on drum
  • Hose leaking (any of them)
  • Water pressure too high
  • Heater gasket perished
  • Door seal gasket
  • Pressure switch or sensor fault (overfilling)
  • Physical tub damage
  • Soap drawer damage
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458 Responses to “Fault Diagnosis on a Washing Machine”

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  1. Rozhan says : Reply
    March 16, 2017 at 10:07 pm

    Hello
    I have a problem with Busch washing machine, when it works , in the middle of it’s circle stop working. Then I must unplug it then turn on again and start working , the last time it didn’t work out.. please how fix it
    Thanks for your help

  2. Andrew says : Reply
    March 21, 2017 at 8:28 pm

    I have a hoover hnf71683d which has stopped draining and displays e03. I checked for blockages and it was clear so bought new pump. No difference, checked continuity all ok. Checked pressure switch and all appears ok no blockages but pump still won’t run.

    Any suggestions?

  3. Gary says : Reply
    March 25, 2017 at 2:00 pm

    I have a Miele W 3514.
    It will start to fill, then begins to spin then – – – will be displayed with a constant bleeping. Will give same error code when spin/ drain programme chosen.
    I have looked to see if there was a blockage in water inlet as stated in manual
    . It wasn’t and still not working. Have you any ideas? Many thanks

  4. Susan Morgan says : Reply
    April 4, 2017 at 11:21 am

    Hi I have a idensit IWB71250 I had flashing lights changed the mother board lights stopped and then the lock light wouldn’t stay on changed the interlock and it still won’t lock to start the cycle what could it be many thanks

  5. INDESIT says : Reply
    April 6, 2017 at 6:52 pm

    my machine is problem display power on But not working in the wother pump…and also not working another function

  6. Dhiraj says : Reply
    April 11, 2017 at 11:05 am

    We have LG Top load model T-7018AEEP5. The drum, after start, moves to and fro very slightly and then it shows AE error.

  7. paul stocker says : Reply
    April 15, 2017 at 11:57 am

    paul my beko has a programmer fault because when I put it on fast wash it goes to the 2 hr wash and it does it on other washes also.
    will it be a expensive job as its only a 2 yr old machine

  8. davy logan says : Reply
    May 7, 2017 at 11:08 am

    beko washing machine when in cycle it says it has 23 mins left then when i go back to it it says it has 30 mins left whats causing this

  9. henry nelson says : Reply
    May 14, 2017 at 6:54 pm

    lamona…smell of burning and when open the door smoking came out

  10. Carole Howard says : Reply
    May 15, 2017 at 10:41 am

    I have a gorenge washing machine but water will not pump out ,there is no opening for the filter on the front it’s modelW162112 thankyou

  11. T R Dickens says : Reply
    May 20, 2017 at 2:06 pm

    I have a hotpoint top load washing machine that will not go into spin cycle or agitate. The belt is good and tight. I changed the lid switch and still same issue.

  12. Rosemary Porter says : Reply
    May 24, 2017 at 8:38 am

    My Siemens washing machine start button will not work it beeps and flashes when you press it but it will not start the program

  13. GORECHA says : Reply
    June 14, 2017 at 5:06 pm

    HI I HAVE BOSH 1000 INTEGRATED MODEL (WFE2021) (WFE2821) WASHING MACHINE PROBLEM WITH THE MACHINE IS SWITCHES ON BUT WHEN I PRESS THE START BUTTON IT MAKES TICK TICK TICK TICK NOISE AND START LIGHT DON’T COME ON . I HAVE CLEANED PUMP FILTER AND SOAP COMPARTMENT AND ALL WASTE PIPES. NOISE TICK TICK IS COMING FROM WHERE THE CIRCIUT BOARD IS.

  14. Moses says : Reply
    June 27, 2017 at 6:58 pm

    I have a Bosch washing machine vario perfect. On the display panel is no. You can’t start any program

  15. Lejla says : Reply
    August 24, 2017 at 8:43 pm

    Hi! My washing/drying machine Hotpoint Ariston RDPD 117607 started beeping all of sudden when it was off. It is beeping constantly even when plugged off. There is no error message on display. How can I turn off the beeping alarm or reset the machine? Tx

  16. Kate Curran says : Reply
    September 22, 2017 at 12:59 pm

    My siemens s16-79 washing machine is tripping the electric supply when machine is activated. 2 weeks ago I had a motherboard fault but this went away after a fix was suggested. Could the motherboard be causing this adult. Plug fuse has been changed but fault alt persists.

    Thanks

  17. Seamus says : Reply
    October 23, 2017 at 7:25 pm

    Hi, my hotpoint machine is showing F-O5. Can you tell me the fault and how to repair this?

  18. Tan says : Reply
    November 25, 2017 at 8:52 am

    My LG top load washing maching will not continue tje wash cycle when it is turn on. The wash cycle will start foe sevwral seconds and suddenly pause and stop with the rinse cycle light off. The wash and spin cycle light will blink and the alarm comes on. Pls help advise how to overcome this matter. Thank you

  19. Hugh Magee says : Reply
    November 29, 2017 at 3:40 pm

    My Bosch classic 6 starts to fill ,but stops after a few seconds then after several minutes shows f17fault. The display window is slow to respond when knob is turned.

  20. Dan esser says : Reply
    December 6, 2017 at 9:58 pm

    I have a Hoover hp13 80 washing machine .It has power fills with water heats but then does nothing. It clicks trying to start. The drain setting works but that’s all. Can you help?

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