10 Most Common Washing Machine Problems

Washing machines are a valuable modern necessity, they might not be glamorous but they are incredibly useful. In fact, you often won’t notice just how useful a washing machine is till suddenly stops working.

Washing machines are certainly tough and hardy machines but like all pieces of technology, they’re not immune to faults. Thankfully with our helpful guide below, you’ll know exactly what to watch out for and you might be able to fix any issues before they develop into more serious problems. So, without further ado let’s look at 10 common washing machine problems to watch out for!

It Bounces Around

Most washing machines vibrate to some degree, but if you notice a sudden increase in your washing machines vibration or it seems like it’s bouncing about then don’t panic it’s a common issue. It could be because your washing machine is on unlevel ground or because the shock absorbers have become unconnected from the washing machine’s chassis.

You can find out more about how to stop a washing machine from vibrating on our separate blog post – Vibrating washing machine, causes and solutions.

It’s Noisy

Washing machines will make a noise when they’re in operation but if you notice a sudden increase in sound then there’s a number of potential causes. Most often it will be because some piece of debris like coins have been accidentally placed in the washing machine with your clothes.

If you don’t see any debris then it could be because something has got caught in the drum, if your washing machine as removal paddles then you’ll be able to look around in the drum to check. If you can’t do this then you may be able to get access using the heater hole instead.

Check out this article to discover how to fix a loud washing machine – My washing machine is very noisy

Clothes Are Getting Ripped

No one wants to experience their clothes getting damaged during a washing cycle, do they? But if you do experience this then don’t panic because you might be able to fix the problem so it won’t happen again. Like many washing machine problems clothes getting ripped can be because of foreign objects getting caught in the drum. So, inspect it carefully to see if there are any foreign objects that need removing.

You can read more about this problem here – Why is my washing machine ruining my clothes

Improper Or Slow Draining

If your washing machine suddenly starts to drain slowly and you start finding left over water in the machine after a cycle then it might not be as serious as it looks. Simply check the filter and see if there’s any blocks or obstructions, remember to carry out regular checks on the filter to ensure there’s no build-up of dirt or grime.

My Washing Machine Won’t Spin

While your washing machine refusing to spin can be a sign of motor problems or more serious issues it can also be a simple, easy to fix issue as well. If your washing machine is carrying a  load that’s too big or too small then it might not spin. So, try readjusting your load and trying again, many modern washing machines will only spin when they reach a certain weight.

This separate article looks at all causes of washing machine not spinning. Learn how to fix a washer that won’t spin with these easy tips – Why is my washing machine not spinning

There’s No Water

The sight of your washing machine not filling with water will certainly cause alarm but it might be an easy problem to fix. This is commonly caused by a blocked or kinked hose, so simply double check to make sure it’s clear and not damaged in any way.

If you are having trouble with your washer not filling with either cold or hot water, here are some useful tips – Why is my washing machine not filling with water

The Door Won’t Open

A washing machine’s door is designed to be incredibly airtight, so when you’re faced with one that won’t open it can feel like you’re trying to open a bank vault. Thankfully fixing the problem might not be too difficult, if there’s still water in your washing machine then you just need to set your washing machine on a cycle again to drain it.

Washing machines won’t open if water is still detected in the machine so simply setting it on another cycle may solve the problem. Be sure to check the filter and drain as well to ensure there isn’t a problem there stopping the water from draining.

Read on what to do when your washing machine’s door is locked – My washing machine door won’t open

It’s Smelly

This might not seem like a serious issue but a smelly washing machine defeats the whole purpose of cleaning your clothes and can lead to serious problems like corrosion down the line. Thankfully it’s quite easy to solve in the majority of cases, smelly washing machines are usually caused because of cold washes and liquid detergents.

Together these two are not a good combination and can lead to a build-up of bacteria and grime, so if you’re experiencing this problem change your washing habits. Hot washes can help solves this problem and you should also run the occasional maintenance wash as well. Learn how to clean a smelly washing machine and keep it free from mould and bad odours.

It’s Not Turning On

If you’re washing machine just suddenly stops working then don’t panic right away it might be easy to fix! Check your power outlets and the fuse, it could be as simple as flicking a switch or changing the fuse. Another thing to do is to give your washing machine time to cool down, if you’ve used your washing machine a lot in a small space of time it might have over heated.

This article provides helpful information on how to troubleshoot a washer that won’t start – My washing machine won’t start

It Won’t Drain

We’ve saved the most infamous problem for last! A washing machine not draining is a common problem but it’s also one that’s easy to fix. In the majority of cases, this problem is caused by a blocked drain hose, you’ll have to pull your machine out disconnect the hose and then pour the water away. It can be messy work but it’s usually an easy problem to solve, you should also check for any blocks and make sure your filters are clear as well.

Read on this is helpful troubleshooting guide on how to get your washer to drain again – My washing machine won’t drain

We hope you find our troubleshooting guide helpful but if you cannot fix the problem yourself, please contact our repair engineers and book an appointment – we will be happy to assist, thank you.