The Most Common Washing Machine Faults We See
Washing machines work day in, day out, with water, electricity, heat and fast-moving mechanical parts working together. Often several times a day in busy households. So it’s no real surprise that, sooner or later, something gives.
As engineers who spend our days driving around Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire fixing these machines, we tend to see the same faults. Here’s a rundown of what they are, what usually causes them, and what they mean for your machine.
Why Washing Machines Develop Faults
With electrical components so close to water and constant vibration, so it’s no wonder things wear out over time. If you’re in a hard water area, where limescale builds up steadily on the heating element and internal pipework.
Overloading the drum puts extra strain on the motor and bearings, and skipping basic maintenance, like cleaning filters or running the occasional hot maintenance wash, only speeds up the decline. Age matters too; the older the appliance, the more these factors compound.
Washing Machine Not Draining Properly
This is one of the faults we see most often. You’ll usually spot it because water’s left sitting in the drum, an error code pops up, or clothes come out of the wash still soaked. More often than not, it’s something simple like a blocked drain pump, a clogged filter or a kinked hose. Occasionally it’s a failed pump motor, which is a slightly bigger job, but still very repairable.
Washing Machine Not Spinning
A machine that won’t spin properly is another regular callout. Symptoms range from soggy laundry to a sluggish spin cycle, or the machine simply refusing to enter the spin programme at all. The cause can be worn motor brushes, a fault with the load-balancing detection, a faulty tachometer, or a snapped drive belt. Each of these points to a different repair, which is why a proper diagnosis matters before assuming the worst.
Washing Machine Leaking Water
Leaks tend to cause the most panic, and rightfully so, since they can damage flooring if left unchecked. We typically trace leaks back to the door seal, the soap dispenser drawer, the drain hose or the pump housing. Acting quickly is important as a small drip today can mean a much bigger repair, or water damage bill, further down the line.
Washing Machine Not Heating Water
This fault is sneaky, often only noticed when clothes aren’t coming out as clean as usual, or when whites start to look a bit grey. The usual suspects are a faulty heating element, thermistor, or control board. A consistently cold wash, even on a hot programme, is a strong sign something needs looking at.
Washing Machine Making Loud Noises
Strange noises are hard to ignore. Grinding usually points to worn drum bearings, banging during the spin cycle, clicking might be a loose component. Catching these early can sometimes mean a straightforward repair rather than a full drum or bearing replacement.
Door Lock Failures
Door faults are extremely common on modern machines. You might find the door won’t lock or the door stays locked even after the wash has finished. This is a built-in safety feature doing its job, machines won’t run with a faulty lock, but it usually points to a worn interlock mechanism that needs replacing.
Washing Machine Not Filling With Water
When a machine won’t fill, it’s typically down to a faulty inlet valve, a blocked filter screen, an issue with the water supply itself, or a pressure switch that’s no longer detecting water levels correctly. Getting this right matters, since incorrect fill levels can affect everything from rinsing to detergent dissolving properly.
Get in touch!
For washing machine repairs in Alton and across East Hampshire, our team at Service 87 will work hard to get your vacuum back in top working order safely and efficiently. Over the years we’ve helped lots of people get their appliances working again! Our expert team in Alton is here to help you too, if you live in the GU or RG postcode near the Hampshire-Surrey border. We fix a wide range of household appliances including laundry appliances, cooking appliances including gas hobs, cookers & ovens, refrigeration repairs including fridges, freezers, coolers & combinations, and dishwashers.
We cover Alton, East Hampshire, the Hampshire/Surrey border and the A31 corridor including Aldershot, Basingstoke, Bordon, Bracknell, Farnborough, Farnham, Fleet, Godalming, Guildford, Liss, Petersfield, Reading, Slough, Windsor and Woking. Call in our professional team of appliance repair engineers from Service 87. Book a repair online, email us at jobs@service87.co.uk, or call 01420 481120.
