Why Won’t My Washing Machine Work? Let’s Troubleshoot

At some point in time, all washing machines will experience operational issues. There is nothing worse than finding out that your washing machine won’t work on laundry day. Washing machines may break or stop working correctly for many reasons, ranging from simple user errors to more significant problems. 

Before you call your professional home appliance repair company, let’s look at the common reasons your washing machine may be underperforming. If the problem is something you can’t fix yourself, troubleshooting will help you provide helpful information to your repair technician. 

Washing Machine Won’t Turn On

The most common reason for a washing machine not responding when you try to turn it on is that it lacks power. Fortunately, this is your best-case scenario if you find your washing machine not working correctly. 

If electricity isn’t flowing to the machine, you can check the electrical panel in your home to see if any circuit breakers have tripped. If all the breakers are okay, you may have a problem with the outlet itself. You can use a multimeter to check the outlet voltage. 

Washing Machine Won’t Drain Properly

Causes for a washing machine not draining correctly can range from being as simple as a clog in the drain hose to needing the pump replaced. More often than not, the reason is a clogged or dislodged drain hose, which you can check yourself through troubleshooting. 

You can use your garden hose to run water through the washing machine’s drain hose to dislodge any stubborn clogs. Also, check the hose for kinks and make sure it hasn’t slipped out of place. 

Washing Machine Won’t Spin

A washing machine may not complete its spinning cycle due to an unbalanced or overly filled load. It could also be that a faulty lid switch keeps the device from performing the spinning process. However, a washing machine has several belts that, as they wear, can deteriorate and break. 

If you see any belts that look worn out, replace them immediately. If your problem is a broken belt, you’ll need to check to ensure the pulley hasn’t seized. If it has, you’ll need to call your professional home appliance repair service to get to the root of the problem and make the necessary repairs. 

The Take-Away

When your washing machine breaks, troubleshooting the problem will help you determine if it is simply a user error, a minor issue that you can fix, or if you need to call a professional home appliance repair technician