Hoover Nextra error 7 (as with all Nextra error codes) is shown by flashing two lights in a 15 second cycle, usually the start and pause, or start and delay-start leds. If you count how many times the lights flash before pausing and repeating the sequence and it amounts to 7 flashes then this page explains the meaning.
According to my book, Nextra error code 7 means –
“Motor jammed / Drum shaft jammed / Tacho generator fault”
Remember error codes are specific to one make or even one range of washing machines. An error 7 on an AEG for example will mean something different. These three explanations all refer to a specific fault where the washing machine knows it’s supplying power to the motor and that the power is running all the way through the motor and back to the main pcb. Therefore it knows the motor should be running – but it cannot detect that the motor is actually running.
Motor jammed
The first possible fault could be if the motor is trying to turn but the motor is physically jammed. This is likely to be rare. It’s easily tested by opening the door on the washing machine and spinning the drum by hand. If it moves normally and freely it’s clearly not jammed and this is not the fault. If it is jammed or very stiff then making sure the machine is disconnected from the mains supply you can just take off the drive belt. You can then see if it’s the motor or the drum that is jammed. If the motor is jammed it’s likely to need replacing but it’s rare for one to jam.
Drum shaft jammed
This would cause the exact same problem in that the motor is trying to turn but because the drum was jammed it couldn’t. Again, easily tested by turning the drum by hand – if it’s free then it isn’t the fault. If it’s jammed or very stiff, removing the belt will let you determine whether it’s the motor or the drum that’s jammed.
Tacho generator fault
The way a washing machine detects the speed of the motor is via the tacho coil, which is the last potential fault listed. The tacho coil is on the motor under the motor plug cover. It’s at the end opposite to the drive belt with 2 thin wires running from it. It’s a small coil that surrounds the shaft of the main armature where a small round magnet is attached. As the armature turns, the magnet on the end of the shaft turns inside the coil. It’s then easy for the pcb to count each revolution of the small magnet and work out how many revolutions per minute it is turning.
Tacho magnet off or broken
If the small magnet mentioned in the last paragraph has broken, or come loose and dropped off, then the tacho coil won’t be able to pick up any signal from it and won’t detect that the motor is turning. This can also cause the error 7. It’s a relatively common cause in fact. The pcb knows it’s sending power to the motor and that it hasn’t detected any other fault on the motor – but it can’t detect that it’s running.
In the photo above you can see at the top of the motor a typical tacho coil set up.
More photos
Through a comment on this article I’ve been shown another web site which has some good photos of a typical motor and the tacho coil. It even shows one of the tacho coil clips that hold the coil in place (photos 9 and 10) – Kleiner Ring, große Wirkung Waschmaschine mit Schleudertrauma. However, not all tacho coil clips are exactly the same (see the photo embedded above), but they should all have something holding the coil in place.
Unfortunately these clips are rarely available as spares so unless you can cleverly and safely improvise a way to secure the coil in place (remember the motor will get hot during use) you won’t be able to repair it.
[Related general advice: Washing machine stops with an error code]
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Error code 7.
The plastic coil was broken. Removed it, put on some super-glue, and back into business. :)
Working fine, but have ordered a new coil, just in case.
Thanks for the feedback. Glad the article helped. Good move to replace the coil, the superglue could eventually fail when the motor gets hot and shakes around.
I had error message 7 displayed on my Hoover AI130. As soon as the drum strated to rotate, it would go to full speed immediately, stopping a few seconds later with the error code displayed.
The fault was a split Taco (Tacho) magnet. This was not rotating with the motor shaft. Replacing the magnet fixed the fault (it had to be firmly Araldited onto the motor shaft).
As a gas engineer i like to take on any of my home appliances and with this blog i succeded.
As stated just ley your hoover on its back remove the black cardboard and strenght bar, look at the end of the motor for a round pepper pot like cap with a 2 wired white plastic connector block (yellow wires).
Ease it out carefully and check the magnet inside has’nt come loose like mine had.
If so screw it back into the motor push the cap back on it and you’ve just saved yourself £80 call out charge.
The error on this was “start” and “delay start” flashing 7 times
I’ve recently bought a Hoover VisionHD W966DP-80 washer drier from Dixons.
I’m now on my 3rd machine as all of them when doing a drying cycle finish on error code 7 – locking the door until the mains is cut. When turned back on (even after an hour), they start the same programme again, *no matter what the dial is set to*. Turning the dial to off at this point cancels it and the machine can be used again.
The fact that I have had three of these machines with the same fault says to me it is a generic design problem, but neither Hoover or Dixons have admitted as such.
Is anyone else having the problem?
Thank you so much! Found your site today and my son fixed my machine tonight….Can now start washing again. The magnet had come loose. Mike the gasman made it sound so simple! and it was.
Many thanks Ruth. Glad to have helped.
I had a Error 7 on a Hoover W966DP-80. Apparently there was a software error on the programme board. The board was replaced which resolved the Error 7. But I now have Error 11!!
Error code 11 on a Hoover Nextra means, “faulty dryer board or wiring” but I need to point out that the Hoover Vision is a different range to the Hoover Nextra and could have different error code explanations.
Dave posted earlier regarding his Hoover VisionHD W966DP-80 machines which displayed error code 7 but his motor appears to have continued working OK which if the tacho magnet had dropped off it wouldn’t. Combined with your Vision displaying error 7 and needing a new control module it seems to me that their error codes are different to the one described in my article about the Nextra range. Unfortunately I don’t have any error codes for the Hoover VisionHD.
i have a nextra hfn316
my washer is doing exactly what is being described..
how do i get the back off my machine to fix this fault?
it looks all bolted on at the back of machine, and i cannot afford at present for an engineer to come out, and i really need my washing machine to work.
is it an easy thing to fix?
my washer does it’s wash, then just as it’s about to empty, or start rinsing, it speeds up too early, and then error 7 flashes