Troubleshooting washing machine faults

How to troubleshoot common UK washing machine faults and breakdowns by a repairman with over 30 years experience.

Warning: You must be aware that electricity can and does kill - even qualified engineers. Never work on an appliance that is not totally unplugged. DIY repair safety and tips

The following washing machine repair help contains general advice only. It may help to solve some basic faults that don't require an engineer, or to give an idea of how serious a fault may actually be. Never work on a washing machine that is still plugged in! Using this advice is at your own risk.

© Copyright Washerhelp: Please feel free to link to these diy help articles but don't copy and paste them as your own work. Not crediting the author is plagiarism.

Water related: leaks, filling or emptying and heating problems

• Leaking (This article has been updated and moved to my main site)
• No water coming into machine
• Overfilling
• Constantly fills with water which runs down the drain
• Fills with water overnight or even when switched off
• Won't empty water
• Won't empty water after connectiong to new plumbing but it did before
• Not heating the water

Programme faults

• Sticks mid-cycle
• Stops with an error code
• Stops with lights flashing
• Drains water and aborts programme just after starting, or mid-wash
• Program selector knob (dial) clicks round continuously
• Hotpoint washing machine shows tESt in display

Washing problems

• Holes in clothes after washing
• Not cleaning laundry properly or has marks on it
• Badly creased after washing
• Clothes come out hot
• White streaks on washing
• Too much foam in washing machine

Functioning faults

• Fusing, or tripping electrics
• Won't spin or drum doesn't turn on wash (article now moved to my white goods help blog)
• Drive belt keeps coming off
• Won't spin just one item or very small loads (External link to my Blog)
• Jumps and bangs on spin
• Door jammed shut
• Door broken or hinge broken
• Washing machine is dead and wont start
• Washing machine is noisy
• Getting electric shocks from washing machine

Fabric Conditioner Problems

• Fabric conditioner doesn't get taken into washing machine
• Gets taken out too soon
• Conditioner compartment is always full of water
• Black jelly-like substance in soap dispenser and on soap drawer (goes to my Whitegoodshelp Blog)

Other washing machine faults

• What causes grease, slime & black mould in washing machine?
• Washing machine smells or gives off bad odours
• Research Washerhelp's washing machine forum archive
• Washing machine error codes (White goods Blog)
• Looking for Appliance Error codes? (White goods Blog)

Washer dryer specific faults

Most washer dryer faults are the same as faults for washing machines as they are exactly the same machines apart from the added dryer parts.

• Clothes Coming Out Of Washer Dryer Hot And Steamy, Still Wet

You must be competent to carry out repairs, and must accept responsibility for your own and other people's safety.

Whilst I use all reasonable efforts to ensure that the information contained on Washerhelp is correct and accurate, no representations or warranties are made (express or implied) as to the reliability, accuracy or completeness of such information. I therefore cannot be held liable for any loss arising directly or indirectly from the use of, or any action taken in reliance on, any information appearing on this web site, which is given free of charge and in good faith.