Troubleshooting Washing Machine Problems

Your washing machine is a necessary facility which you need in your daily life. The washing machine which is basically a big tub that repeatedly fills with water, then drains, spins to wring clothes dry. It has a device for stirring things up, either an agitator in the middle of a top-load machine or a rolling drum in the case of a front loader. With all these activities, the four main cycles that all washing machines perform are fill, wash, drain, and spin.

In these four major actions of the washer, there can be any amount of problems as eventually your washer is a machine run on electricity. If you are facing minor issues, don't ignore these as troubleshooting washing machine problems at the right time is always beneficial. Cleaning and maintaining your washer is the best way of keeping it away from future breakdowns. Find how and when to troubleshoot washing machine problems mentioned in the following paragraphs.

How to Troubleshoot Washing Machine Problems?

Right from the time you bring in a new washing machine, you can face a number of problems. Some problems that commonly occur with a washing machine are that it doesn't agitate, doesn't drain, doesn't run, shakes, vibrates, or moves, washing machine won't spin, and the water temperature is wrong or the machine leaks. Given below are some tips to troubleshooting washing machine problems in an easy manner so you won't have to ask the maintenance guy every time there is a problem.

If your washer does not work and makes no noise, then take the following steps:

• Check if washer is plugged in securely
• Check that the water supply valves are turned on
• Test the outlet for current
• Check the circuit breaker or fuse box
• Test for overheating
• Inspect the filter screens
• Test the lid switch
• Test the water level switch
• Test the timer control
• Inspect the water pump
• Test the water inlet valve
• Test the motor
• Test the centrifugal switch

If your washer does not work but it does make noise, washing machine troubleshooting can be done by the following ways:

• Check that the water supply valves are turned on
• Inspect the water pump
• Test for overheating
• Inspect the filter screens
• Test the motor
• Test the water inlet valve

If the water fills the wash tub of your washer too slowly or does not fill with enough water, then troubleshooting washing machine problems can be done in the following ways:

• Check that the water valves are turned on full
• Test the water level switch
• Check the filter screens
• Check the water pressure at the tap
• Test the water inlet valve
• Check that the drain hose is positioned roughly as high as the top of the inner tub

If no water is entering the wash tub or there is no hot/cold water in the tub, then try to;

• Check that the water supply valves are turned on
• Inspect the water supply hoses for kinks
• Test the water level switch
• Check the filter screens
• Test the water temperature switch
• Test the water inlet valve
• Test the timer control

If the water drains out during the wash or rinse cycle or while it is filling, then make sure you:

• Test the timer control
• Check the cam bar
• Test the drain control coils
• Check the drain control lever
• Check the drain hose, it should be at least as high as the top of the wash tub, about 38 inches.

The drain hose must sit loosely in the house drain. Do not seal the air gap around the drain hose or a siphon will occur. Troubleshooting washing machine leaks, then do the following:

• Inspect outer tub for cracks or corrosion
• Inspect the drain hose
• Inspect the water supply connections
• Inspect the water pump
• Inspect the tub bearing
• Inspect the tub seal

With these ways of troubleshooting washing machine problems, it will be very convenient if you solve the problems yourself. When you know the problem, you can find a solution to it yourself and save your money as well!