Top 5 Tips For When The Washer Won’t Run

So let’s face it, when we’re stuck with house chores and appliances don’t work, it seems like a day off. Only to realize, you’ll have to wear the same dirt shirt to the board meeting for the third or fourth time this week! Good luck with that! But to make sure you don’t show up in smelly, gross clothes, Appliance Repair Medic helps you to find out about your washer’s issues as much as you can, easily.

1. Check to be sure the washer is plugged in. This seems so simple, but repairmen get paid when that’s all it takes to make an appliance work. Plugs can get bumped loose by animals or fallen objects. If that doesn’t work, move on to the next item to check.

2. Once you’ve made sure the washer is properly plugged into the electrical outlet and it still won’t run, it’s time to check your central home electrical box to see if a fuse has blown or a circuit breaker has tripped. You may be able to replace the fuse or turn the breaker back on. If this happens frequently, call an electrician immediately!

3. If you’ve established electrical power, the next thing you need is water. Be sure the water valves are open. You should have two valves: a hot and a cold. They may be marked or signified by a red/blue knob or switch. Even if you always wash in cold water, some washers won’t operate unless both valves are open. If your machine is getting water but it fills very slowly, you may just need to open the valve more. A simple cleaning may do the trick to get your washer working again.

4. Loud noises occur usually if the washer has been loaded improperly or the laundry has shifted during the cycle. If the thumping occurs during a cycle (usually the spin cycle), simply stop the machine and redistribute the wet clothing. If your washer is making squealing or screeching noises, this indicates an internal mechanical problem that will require a service call. If after rebalancing the load of wet clothes the washer is still noisy and vibrates, the washer is now off-balance. You must take steps to level the washer, or it will never be quiet and further damage can occur.

5. Check if the washer’s hose connections to the hot and cold water valves. Use a dry hand or a paper towel to run down the length of each hose. If you find any dampness, tighten immediately. If the hose appears to have small splits, replace immediately. A burst water hose is a huge mess and damages walls and floors. Washer hoses should be checked and replaced regularly to prevent this problem. Pay attention to where the puddle is located, whether in the front of the washer or back of the washer. The location will give you a hint as to what to do next.

Tip 6: Clothes Are Too Wet After Final Spin Cycle

If your clothing is still quite wet after the spin cycle, first check to see if the drain hose is kinked or crushed. If your washer “dances” during cycles, it may have moved and kinked the hose. The water pump may be clogged with lint or a small object. If the pump isn’t allowed to work freely and properly, the water drains out too slowly and leaves your clothes wet. Clean it out (this does not require removing the pump). Even a little lint can slow the draining. If that is not the problem, the drain hose could be clogged with lint or hair. It can easily be cleaned with a thin, long-handled brush. Pet shops carry the brushes to clean aquarium tubes if you can’t find one at the hardware store.

Tip 7: No Clue What’s Wrong with the Washer

You know that manual you threw away without a single glance at it, the one you practiced your signature on or the one you took phone numbers down on? Yeah, that one. Get it out and read it! You may just find the answer to your question. If you don’t have the manual, visit the manufacturer’s website or one of their official sites to download a manual for your specific brand and model. It may take a little time but it’s much less expensive than a repair call.

Hopefully, these tips could help you. However, if the washer still doesn’t work, we suggest you give it a smack on the head! Actually, no, that only somehow works for remotes. But, if you ever want to get your washer repaired in the company of some friendly professionals, we suggest you head straight to Appliance Repair Medic in NYC! Have a great day!