This is an index page for troubleshooting washing machine faults containing links to all my washing machine DIY help articles. They contain general advice, which may help fixing many basic faults (on UK washing machines) that don’t require an engineer, or to give an idea of how serious a fault may actually be.
© Copyright Whitegoodshelp | Washerhelp: Please feel free to link to these diy help articles but don't copy and paste them as your own work. Not crediting the author is plagiarism.
Water related faults: Leaks, filling, draining and heating faults
- Constantly fills with water which runs down the drain
- Fills with water overnight or even when switched off
- Pump filter: How do I remove & clean it?
- Leaking
- Not heating the water
- Not filling: No water coming into machine
- Overfilling
- Won’t drain water
- Won’t empty water after connecting to new plumbing but it did before
- How to drain washing machine stuck full of water
More water related faults and issues
- Can you use a hot & cold fill washing machine with just a cold supply?
- Can I connect cold fill washing machine to both hot and cold water supply?
- Don’t connect a cold fill washing machine to the hot water tap
- Limescale in washing machines
- Low water pressure and washing machines
- Washing machine is a hot and cold fill, but I only have a cold water supply
- What should I do with the old hot water tap when connecting a cold fill washing machine?
Fabric Softener Problems
- Black jelly-like substance in soap dispenser and on soap drawer
- Fabric softener not being taken away
- Fabric softener compartment always full of water
- Softener gets taken out too soon
Programme and wash cycle faults
- Drains water and aborts programme just after starting, or mid-wash
- Error Code: Stops with an error code
- Hotpoint washing machine shows tESt in display
- Stops mid-cycle
- Stops with lights flashing
- Program selector knob (dial) clicks round continuously
Problems with the laundry
- Clothes come out hot
- Holes in clothes after washing
- Laundry badly creased after washing
- Not cleaning laundry properly or has marks on it
- Too much foam in washing machine
- White streaks on washing
Functioning Faults
- Won’t start
- Fusing, or tripping electrics
- Door jammed shut and won’t open
- Door or hinge broken
- Not heating the water
- Won’t drain water
- Drum not turning on wash, rinse or spin (Motor not running)
- Not spinning at end of cycle
- Won’t spin just one item or very small loads
- Spin light flashing at end of cycle and no spin
- Jumps and bangs on spin
- Belt keeps coming off (plus how to fit belt)
- Making a metalic scraping noise
- Noisy
- Getting electric shocks from washing machine or any other appliance
- How to remove an underwire or obstruction from the drum
- Washer Dryer Specific Faults
Motor Faults
- Carbon brushes diagnostic help
- Problems after fitting new carbon brushes
- Motor not running (drum not turning)
Washing machine smells
More DIY Washing Machine Repair help –
More washing machine help on Washerhelp Forums
Washing machine forums (hosted on Washerhelp). Several are open to new members and others are archived for research.
Please don’t ask questions on the forum if the answer is already covered in an appropriate help page above.