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How To Easily Fix Your Washing Machine For Free

By: Jan Hajek | Date Posted: February 25, 2018

Have you planned for a very critical moment in your life late at night but are currently in a panic only because your washing machine suddenly refuses to do its job properly just when you need it the most? Have you ever had that one chance to help out a friend who has, only to realize that you have no idea how to?

To make matters worse, maybe you have complete knowledge of how-to, but you think you do not have the resources. On a lighter note, maybe you’ve been using your machine for quite some time now and want it to run the way it did brand new. What if I told you that you actually have everything you need to fix almost all your much-loved and much-needed machine’s problems for little to no cost and effort at all?

A Washing Machine That Refuses To Run

 

Most people jump to the conclusion that a machine that does not wash is broken and that it needs to be serviced by a professional. Fortunately, the cause of the problem is usually not as serious as it seems.

  • For safety, most washing machines nowadays come with a sensor that detects if the lid is properly sealed. Make sure that nothing is preventing the lid from resting where it is meant to.
  • Most machines will refuse to work without water to prevent unnecessary damage to themselves and their clothes. Remove and clean your water supply, making sure that there is no blockage in the hoses.
  • Make sure your machine is filled to at least the minimum level. Some machines refuse to start when overloaded or if something is preventing the motor from spinning. Try decreasing the number of clothes and checking if anything is stuck within the small gaps between the rotor and the machine’s body.
  • Double-check if the machine was plugged properly. If it was, follow the power cable from the plug all the way to the machine and see if there is any damage. If there are no signs of damage, try plugging the machine into a different power outlet and ensuring that no fuses and circuit breakers in your house’s power supply have been tripped.
  • Here’s a video showing more ways you can troubleshoot your machine for those with a few extra tools.

A Washing Machine That Shakes Too Much

 

Aside from shortening your machine’s lifespan, excessive vibrations may cause serious damage that could prevent your machine from operating efficiently.

Solutions

  • The most common cause of this is an unbalanced load. Your machine is capable of spinning your clothes at nearly 2000 rotations per minute. This means that a slight imbalance in the weight distribution of your clothes may cause massive vibrations. Try rearranging your clothes or decreasing the load for your machine.
  • Almost all machines come with locking mechanisms that secure them firmly on the ground. Make sure that all locks are engaged correctly.
  • Adding a little additional weight on top of your machine may stabilize it further; however, be very careful and make sure that you are not setting up a safety hazard for yourself and the people around you.
  • Here is a video that shows how you could level your washing machine to stabilize it even further.

A Washing Machine That Refuses To Drain

You set your usual washing machine cycle, go out to grab a coffee while planning your next appointment. After an hour of trying to maximize every minute of your time, you come back home and are greeted with a machine that is stuck mid-cycle.

Solutions

  • Carefully take apart your machine’s drain pipe and inspect it for any blockage. Clean and flush it out even if there is no visible blockage. Sometimes a slight pressure difference is all it takes to halt an entire wash cycle.
  • If possible, check the inside of your machine’s drum for any drains blocked by small objects such as plastics, coins, and dirt.
  • Make sure you used the proper amounts of detergent. Too much can cause a blockage within the machine’s plumbing.
  • Depending on your machine, do not position your drain pipe too high. Some machines do not pump water out while draining and rely on the pressure of the water itself and gravity. Placing your drain pipe too high may prevent the water from draining properly.
  • If you’ve got tools such as a multi-meter and wanted to diagnose your machine’s problem even further, here’s a video showing additional steps you may take.

A Washing Machine That Leaks

If left unattended, a leaking washing machine could lead to serious accidents. Ensure that all power cables within the area are secure even after adjacent portions of the floor are submerged in water.

Solutions

  • Do not fill your machine with too much water. Most machines are designed to drain when you exceed the maximum water level automatically.
  • Make sure that your machine is not shaking more than it is supposed to. The excessive movement could render your machine unstable and cause water to leak. Make sure that all hoses are attached correctly.
  • Disconnect the water supply hose and check if your faucet is leaking water even when its valve is shut tight.
  • Check the inside of your washing machine’s drum for any damage. As a temporary fix, place waterproofing tape over small cracks or dents.
  • Here is a video that shows how to pinpoint the source of your machine’s leak.

A Washing Machine That Makes Too Much Noise

Abnormal noises should always be given immediate attention because although it may not always mean there is a problem, it could eventually lead to major damage.

Solutions

  • Check if you have completely emptied all pockets and if any solid objects could cause noise while the machine is operating. Inspect your machine’s drum for any stuck objects.
  • Check if the lid of your machine is properly shut.
  • Make sure your machine is not shaking more than it is meant to. Inspect the immediate surrounding area of your machine. Be sure that your machine does not make contact with anything while operating.
  • Check if the drum or rotor of your machine is still secured tightly. Loose or shaky components could also cause unnecessary noise. Check for missing screws and bolts.
  • If these don’t solve your problem, a video shows some uncommon causes for excessive noise.

A Washing Machine That Doesn’t Dispense Detergent Properly

Observe your machine’s wash cycle from time to time as old or dirty machines might not be dispensing detergent properly. The wash cycle may continue, but your clothes will not be cleaned efficiently.

Solutions

  • Clean your machine regularly. Dirty machines will always have a shorter lifespan than machines that are always well-maintained.
  • Do not overfill your machine’s detergent dispenser. Make sure that you are using the right detergent for your machine.
  • Inspect if anything is blocking the detergent dispenser.
  • There could also be damaged in the detergent holder assembly. Here is a video that shows how a broken detergent assembly fails to dispense correctly.

A Machine That Smells Bad

 

An unpleasant smell could indicate contamination or simply bad maintenance.

Solutions

  • Rinse off any substance from your clothes with an unpleasant smell, such as vomit or chemicals, before placing them in your machine.
  • Clean your machine thoroughly.
  • Inspect both the interior and exterior of your machine for mold or corrosion.
  • Rust could indicate that your machine is damaged. Apply rust removers to affected areas.
  • Leave the bleach on areas with growth for a day.
  • Check if the smell is coming from your laundry room’s drain.
  • Here is a video that shows a very effective way to clean your washing machine and prevent it from accumulating unpleasant odors.

FAQs


How long should a washing machine last?

Washing machines, on average, last around 10 years.

Is it worth repairing a washing machine?

The most important question occurs when a washing machine stops working: is it worth repairing a washing machine? It all depends on the cause of the problem, and some issues can be fixed with little to no cost.

Can a plumber fix a washing machine?

If your washing machine does not drain, a plumbing problem could be fixed by a professional plumber. If your washing machine does nothing when you turn it on, it would be better to call an electrician.

Thank you for reading!

Jan Hajek
 

I am an experienced writer. I write about home improvement topics such as construction, electrical work, plumbing, security and safety, interior design, exterior design, tools and woodworking, gardening, and garage organization. I love helping people improve their homes and make them more enjoyable places to live.

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