Fix a Fault: DIY Repair Help

A great deal can go wrong with a washing machine. They work hard, run hot and cold water through dozens of components, and have complex electrical and mechanical systems that can all fail independently. The guides below cover over 50 of the most common faults, written from direct engineering experience rather than generic troubleshooting advice.

Most faults have a handful of probable causes that account for the overwhelming majority of real-world cases. Working through these systematically saves time and avoids the expense of an unnecessary engineer visit or parts order.

Start here

Our main fault diagnosis hub lists over 50 common washing machine problems with links to detailed guides for each. Read: repair washing machine faults, 50+ DIY guides. If your specific fault is not listed, the washing machine forums have thousands of threads covering unusual and intermittent faults.

Error Codes

When a washing machine detects a fault, most modern machines display an error or fault code on the screen, or flash indicator lights in a repeating pattern. These codes tell you which part of the machine’s self-diagnostic system has flagged a problem, though they do not always identify the exact failed component. Understanding this distinction is important: replacing a part based on a code alone, without further investigation, frequently fails to cure the fault.

Our error codes section covers what codes mean, how to read flashing light patterns on older machines, and specific code guides for all major brands including Hotpoint, Indesit, Hoover, Samsung, LG, Zanussi, and Whirlpool.

Installing and Connecting Your Washing Machine

Installing a washing machine correctly from the start avoids a significant number of common problems later, from drain faults and flooding to vibration and premature component failure. The guides below cover every aspect of installation, from choosing the right location to connecting the plumbing correctly and checking the setup before the first use.

Location and placement

Can I install a washing machine in a bathroom?
The electrical regulations that apply to washing machines in bathrooms, and what is and is not permitted under UK wiring rules.


Can you put a washing machine in a garage?
The practical and technical considerations of installing in a garage, including cold weather, dampness, and plumbing access.


Installing in a basement
Drainage requirements and pump solutions for machines installed below the main drain level.


How much space does a washing machine need round the sides?
Ventilation, heat dissipation, and access clearances for washing machines fitted into tight spaces.


Reducing the height to fit under a worktop
How to lower the feet on a washing machine to clear a fitted worktop without affecting stability or levelling.


How to reduce the height of a Miele washing machine
Miele-specific guidance on adjusting machine height, which differs from standard models due to the lid design.


Raise a washing machine off the floor
When and why you might want to raise a machine, and the safe ways to do it with a plinth or purpose-built stand.

Plumbing and connections

How to connect a washing machine or dishwasher properly
A complete guide to connecting the inlet and drain hoses correctly, including the standpipe height requirements.


How to install and connect the drain hose
Correct drain hose installation including standpipe height, anti-syphon requirements, and common mistakes that cause drain faults.


Can you connect a cold fill machine to the hot water tap?
Why connecting a cold fill machine directly to the hot supply causes problems, and what the thermostatic valve workaround involves.


Hot and cold fill machine, but I only have a cold supply
What to do when a hot and cold fill machine needs to be connected to a cold-only supply.


How to blank off the old hot water tap
What to do with the unused hot tap connection when switching to a cold-fill-only machine.


Aqua stop hoses
What aqua stop or flood protection inlet hoses do, whether they are worth fitting, and how they work.


Do all washing machines use the same hoses and plumbing?
Whether inlet and drain hoses are interchangeable across brands and models, and what to check when replacing them.


Connecting to a softened water supply
Whether softened water is suitable for washing machines, and what manufacturers say about its effect on components.


Low water pressure issues
The minimum water pressure washing machines require, and what happens if the supply pressure falls below the threshold.


Potential health risks from the old hot water tap
Why leaving the old hot water connection blanked but not properly capped can create a Legionella risk in the pipework.


5 checks to do after connecting and before first use
The checks to carry out after installation to confirm everything is connected correctly before running the first wash.

Moving, storing and transporting

The best way to pull a washing machine out
How to pull a washing machine out from under a worktop or from a tight space without damaging the floor, plumbing, or machine.


Transporting a washing machine
How to safely transport a washing machine, including the transit bolt requirement and what to do if you no longer have them.


How to store a washing machine
How to prepare a machine for storage to prevent mould, seal damage, and frost damage if being stored in an unheated space.


Using a washing machine from storage
Checks to carry out and precautions to take when recommissioning a machine that has been stored or unused for a period.

Using Your Washing Machine

Our using section answers the everyday questions that owners encounter, from how to clean the detergent drawer to whether it is safe to leave the machine running while out of the house. It also covers laundry results, detergent choices, fabric care, and the maintenance tasks that extend the life of the machine.

Is it safe to leave the washing machine on when out or in bed?
The genuine fire risk from unattended washing machines, what the statistics show, and how to weigh the risk practically.


Should you turn the taps off after the cycle has finished?
Whether leaving the water supply connected when the machine is not in use carries any flood risk, and what best practice is.


Pros and cons of renting a washing machine
When renting rather than buying makes financial sense, and what to look out for in rental agreements.


Washing machine rentals
How washing machine rental works in the UK, typical costs, and what the rental includes in terms of maintenance and replacement.

Buying Spare Parts

Ordering the wrong part is one of the most common and frustrating DIY repair mistakes, and it almost always comes down to not having the correct model number or part reference. Our spare parts guides cover how to identify genuine versus non-genuine parts, where to source them, and specific guidance on the parts most frequently needed.

Why use genuine spare parts?
The difference between genuine manufacturer parts and non-genuine alternatives, when it matters, and when it does not.


Washing machine pump guide
How the pump works, how to tell if it has failed, and what is involved in replacing it.


Where is the pump filter?
How to find, access, and clean the pump filter, including what happens if it is left blocked.


Hotpoint and Creda FHP carbon brushes
Sourcing and fitting carbon brushes for Hotpoint FHP motors, one of the most common repair jobs on this generation of machines.


Old Hotpoint or Creda carbon brushes
Carbon brush sourcing for the older Hotpoint and Creda models, with guidance on identifying the correct brush for your motor.

Safety: What Every Washing Machine Owner Should Know

Washing machines are involved in a significant number of house fires and flood incidents in the UK each year. Most are preventable. The articles below cover the real risks, the safety notices issued by manufacturers, and the practical steps that reduce the likelihood of an incident, whether the machine is running attended or not.

Never ignore a safety notice on your appliance.

If your machine is listed in any of the safety notices below, stop using it and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Safety notices are issued when a genuine risk of fire, electric shock, or injury has been identified.

General safety

Is it safe to leave the washing machine on when out or in bed?
The genuine fire risk from unattended machines and what the evidence says about how significant it is.


Washing machines exploding
Documented cases of washing machines catching fire or exploding, the causes involved, and the brands affected.


Exploding door glass danger
Why washing machine door glass sometimes shatters unexpectedly, how widespread the issue is, and what to do if it happens.


Broken door glass photos and brand tally
Reader-submitted photographs of shattered washing machine door glass, with a running tally of reported incidents by brand.


How dangerous are our appliances?
An honest look at the fire, flood, and injury risks from domestic white goods, and what the statistics actually show.


8 ways to make your appliances safer
Practical steps every household can take to reduce the risk of fire, flood, and injury from washing machines and other appliances.

Child and household safety

Children and pets dying inside washing machines and tumble dryers
Documented incidents and the practical steps to prevent a child or pet from becoming trapped inside a front-loading appliance.


Detergent capsules: danger to children
The serious risk laundry capsules pose to young children, the injuries that have occurred, and how to store them safely.


Do not use fabric softener on children’s sleepwear
Why fabric softener reduces the flame resistance of children’s nightwear and what to use instead.

DIY repair safety

Top 4 DIY repair safety rules
The non-negotiable safety rules before touching any appliance internally, from an engineer who has seen what goes wrong.

Official Safety Notices

The following are official safety notices issued by manufacturers after identifying a serious risk in specific models. If your machine is listed, stop using it and follow the manufacturer’s guidance. This list covers those that Whitegoods Help has written about and is not a comprehensive list of all notices ever issued.

Hotpoint washing machine electric shock risk
Safety notice for specific Hotpoint models identified as carrying an electric shock risk. Check if your model is affected.


Haier and Bush washing machine safety notice
Official safety recall notice for affected Haier and Bush washing machine models.


Miele washer-extractor safety notice
Safety notice for Miele PW6055 and PW6065 washer-extractor models.


Safety recall on twin tub sold at Argos
Product recall notice for a twin tub washing machine sold through Argos stores.


LG Direct Drive safety notice
Official safety notice for affected LG Direct Drive washing machine models.

For safety notices on other appliances, see the individual pages for tumble dryers, dishwashers, fridges and freezers, and cookers and ovens.

Buying a Washing Machine

Choosing a new washing machine involves more than comparing drum sizes and energy ratings. Build quality, repairability, brand reliability, and the true cost of ownership over the machine’s lifespan all matter more to most households than headline features. Our buying guides take an engineering perspective rather than a marketing one.

Book a Repair or Find an Engineer

If your machine has a fault you cannot resolve with the DIY guides above, a qualified engineer is the next step. NAC Repair provides same-day and next-day nationwide appliance repairs, with transparent pricing and all repairs guaranteed.