AL MANKHOOL Dubai Washing Machine Repair
Common washing machine problems can range using too much detergent, to water covering your floor. Some are easy fixes and others may require hiring a professional to diagnose and do the repairs. However, in most cases, with a little bit of troubleshooting you'll be able to at least have a good idea where the problem originated.
There's never a good time for your clothes washer to act up, but taking action sooner vs. later can help keep a small problem from developing into something far greater. We've compiled a list of the most common washer problems to help you troubleshoot and plan your next step of resolving your situation.
Common Washer Problems
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1 - Washer Won't Turn On
2 - Not Draining Properly
3 - Will Not Spin and/or Agitate
4 - Washer Leaking Water
As always, whenever you work on electrical appliances, safety should be a top concern. Remove the power source to the washer before troubleshooting or attempting repairs.
1 - Washer Won't Turn On
If your washing machine doesn't respond when you turn it on there may be a simple fix. There's a number of solutions that range for serious to simple, but the best place to begin is with the power supply itself. AL MANKHOOL Dubai Washing Machine Repair Power
The first thing to check is if your washing machine is getting power. Using a multimeter check the outlet voltage. If there isn't electricity flowing into your washer you'll need to check your household electrical panel to see if any circuit breakers may have been tripped.
If there wasn't a tripped breaker and your outlet isn't "hot" then the problem may be with the outlet itself. Turn the breaker off and contact a qualified electrician to replace the outlet and troubleshoot the cause.
Motor
If the washer's motor overheated the washer will shut down to allow it to cool before you can start it again. If this happens once or twice it may not be a problem, but if your motor frequently overheats it's critical to find out what is actually causing this to happen. Al Quoz Industrial Fourth Dubai Washing Machine Repair Lid Switch
Washing machines are designed to stop working when the lid is open. The lid switch is a small plastic piece located under the lid. In order for the switch to activate, the lid must be shut. Check to see if the switch is in good repair and properly positioned.
Timer Knob
Some models require the timer knob to line-up exactly with the control panel graphics. If the knob is slightly out of alignment, the washer won't run. To check this, simply advance the timer and try to restart the washer again.
2 - Not Draining Properly
Drainage problems can range from being as simple as a clog in the drain hose to needing to replace a pump. But one thing is certain, when you have a problem with draining you'll be very aware.
Drain Hose
Here are some other things to look for:
- Check the drain hose for kinks.
- Check any lint filters that may be in or on the drain hose.
- Are you having problems with the home's drain system?
- The drain hose should be above the level of water in the drain tub.
- Is the standpipe a minimum of 1-1/4" in diameter?
- Is the drain hose sealed into the standpipe? If this is the case, back-siphoning can occur. It should never be sealed.
- The standpipe should be less than 96" in height.
Drain Pump
If you suspect that your drain pump is jammed, you'll need to drain your tub then disconnect and inspect the hoses for foreign objects. Don't forget to check the pump inlets. You may need to remove the pump from the washer in order to get a good look.
If you are having problems with your pump, there's a chance that it may have locked up and seized. The motor will continue to run and attempt to turn the pump. If the pump is belt-driven, the belt will burn through or break, there is even a chance that the pulley could break. Things can go from bad to worse if the motor continues to run with tension on the belt, which can cause the motor to seize.
Another possible issue could be that the bearings seized on the pump, or it may have become jammed by a pen, coin or sock. It's also possible that the impeller blades have broken. In most cases, a new pump will fix the problem.
Foreign Objects
If items such as socks, pens and coins get wedged between the basket and the tub, or become lodged in the pump, the washer's ability to drain properly will be greatly reduced and even can come to a full stop. You'll need to open the cabinet to gain access so that you can search for any obstructions.
Detergent
If too much detergent is used there will be far too many suds. Too many suds will prevent the washer from draining in a timely manner.
3 - Will Not Spin and/or Agitate
There's a number of things that can prevent your washer from spinning correctly. Unfortunately, you'll most likely need to open the cabinet in order to properly troubleshoot the problem. Let's start with the easy fixes first, because sometimes the problem is as simple as the washer being in a soak cycle!
Too Large of Loads
A washing machine will become unbalanced if there are too many clothes being washed in the same load. An overloaded machine will become unbalanced and not properly spin. This can also occur if the clothes are not evenly distributed within the basket.
If this is your problem, you'll need to adjust the load during the cycle to help your washer balance. You can do this either by removing all of the clothes and replacing evenly within the basket or simply moving them within the basket so that they are evenly distributed.
Switches and Settings
The lid switch is located inside the cabinet near the door frame, and it's designed as a safety precaution to keep hands from entering a spinning washer basket. A faulty switch will prevent the washer from running. If the switch is bad, it will need to be replaced.
You can also check the setting to ensure that the speed selector switch is properly positioned. It should not be set between different speeds. ​
Drain Pump
​It's possible that a foreign object is lodged in the drain pump. You'll frequently hear a humming sound when the washer is full of water if this is your problem.
Belts
A washing machine has a number of belts and as they wear, they can show signs of damage and even break. If you notice a belt that is showing signs of wear, you should replace it with a new one.
If your problem was due to a broken belt, be sure the check that the pulley hasn't seized. The belt may not have been the root problem. If the pulley seized, it will usually cause the belt to break. If you replace the belt, but not fix the pulley, you'll have the same problem in the very near future. ​
Motor
The main drive motor is responsible for spinning and agitating the basket. The washer motor creates the spinning directly, and frequently with the use of a clutch. Within the washer's transmission there's a crank type gear with connecting rods that cause the basket agitate.
- If there is little or no agitation, the splines that connect the agitator to the drive shaft could be stripped and in need of replacement.
- In some washers a reversing motor is used. If you notice that your basket spins perfectly in one direction, but in the opposite direction it won't work all you may need to replace the motor. Unless you are comfortable doing this, it is probably best to contact a professional.
- A coupler is used to connect the motor to the transmission. Over time, this part will wear and need to be replaced.
- If you suspect a transmission or clutch issue, it is generally best to contact a professional as these can be relatively complex problems.
4 - Washer Leaking Water
Beyond the mess that a leaking washer makes, the problem doesn't always mean an expensive repair bill. Many times the solution is an easy fix or an inexpensive part.
Drain Hose
When a washer leaks only during the spin cycle the likely cause is the drain hose.
- Check the connections on the hose to ensure they are secure.
- Check the condition of the drain hose, it should be free of cracks and damage.
- Check the drain hose for any clogs. You might just find your missing sock!
- Check the drain hose where it attaches to the washer. There should not be any cracks or leakage, if there is, you may be able to cut the end and re-clamp the hose. Although, you may want to consider purchasing a new one.
Fill Hose
The fill hoses could also be the culprit. Read our extensive article on fill hoses HERE.
- Check that the fill hoses are in good repair and are securely in place. However, they should not be over-tightened.
- Whenever these hoses are removed a new rubber washer should be used when they are being put back in place. If a new rubber washer wasn't used, the problem could be the washer.
Water-Inlet Valve
Check the water-inlet valve for leaks. There may be a build-up of rust or mineral deposits within the valve, or it may be faulty and need to be replaced.
Too Much Detergent
If you have hard water and use a water softener, your leakage problem may be the result of over-sudsing. Hot- and soft-water use less detergent to effectively clean than cold- and hard-water. Reducing how much detergent you use may eliminate an over-sudsing issue.
When you have too many suds and they "spill over" it may appear that you have a leak. The sudsy overflow can be resolved by reducing the amount of detergent you're using.
Door Seal (front-load)
Front-load washers frequently develop leakage around the door seal as this is a common area for debris to build-up. Over time, the build-up will reach a level where the door will not be able to properly seal and water will be able to seep out. Generally, you can solve this problem by carefully cleaning the seal.
Drain Pump
Drain pumps have a seal on the pulley that will often leak due to wear. Many pumps are designed with a weep hole allowing the water to drip out as the seal begins to fail. So, whether you find a small amount of water or a flood near your drain pump, you may have uncovered the source of the leak. The pump will need to be rebuilt or replaced.
Drains and Hoses
If you notice intermittent leaking when the washer is flushing, the problem may be with the plastic bleach dispenser. Bleach is an extremely corrosive chemical and it can cause plastic parts from the bleach dispenser to crack or even break off. In which case it will need to be replaced.
The use of large amounts of liquid chlorine bleach can pit and rust stainless steel components. Consider using oxygenating bleach. It's less harsh for your washer, although it should be noted that it's not as effective at getting your whites bright.
Tub
If the tub is the cause of your leak, your options are limited. When a tub develops a hole from rubbing while off balance or other from reasons, the best choice is usually to purchase a new washer.
Replacing the tub usually isn't cost effective. However, you could try sealing the leak with an epoxy. If nothing else, it may buy you a little time.
Tub Seal
The main tub seal is located where the outer tub connects to the transmission. If you suspect that this is your problem it is usually best to contact a professional as it can be a very difficult job. You may want to weigh the pro's and con's of replacing the seal vs purchasing a new washer.
