Common Problems of Washing Machine – How To Fix Them?

Imagining a life without a washing machine seems horrible. Any fault or issue with a machine can lead to piles of dirty clothes. Sometimes the fault is unrecognizable, and your washer may get stuck on the wash cycle.

Why is the washing machine stuck on the wash cycle?

It is a common problem that your washing machine gets stuck on a wash cycle. The cause of this problem might be due to an improperly working heater or washer timer.

Sometimes, your washing machine gets stuck on one cycle and does not move towards the next cycle. This may occur if the timer of your washing machine has some fault and it needs a replacement. 

The timer is a very important component of your machine as it covers all aspects of the wash, spin, and rinse cycles.

Some most common problems of a washing machine

The washing machine door won’t unlock

That is considered the most general problem of washing machines, especially of the front loaders. That is because, in the top-loading machine, there is no such need to close the front doors.

The door will unlock automatically as the washing is completed, but sometimes, the door encounters some problem and remains locked even after the operation is complete. 

One of the reasons for the unlocked door is that some clothes may be stuck in the way leading the door to be jammed. Also, the washing machine may not be draining properly, leaving the washer door locked and the drum filled with water.

The smell in the clothes and machine

With time, your machines catch dirt and dust, and sometimes we do not even bother to clean the machine properly, so a stinky smell starts to arouse from clothes and machines.

Normally, a basic washing machine cleaning procedure involves running a water cycle in an empty machine to clean it. Modern machines have better technologies. You can also do some DIY tasks to properly clean the washing machine.

The washing machine won’t drain

It is one of the most common washing machine problems one may encounter. The drainage system of the machine becomes unable to completely remove the dirty water.

That may occur if the drain hose or pump is clogged with a small item of clothing or other debris. Also, the drain pump could be broken, which may be indicated when the washer makes an unpleasant sound or starts leaking.

The washing machine keeps shaking

In some cases, it may scare you when you put on a load of washing, and after starting the machine, it suddenly starts dancing. 

The most probable reason is that your machine is off-balanced. The high-speed centrifugal forces help to remove water from your clothing. 

How to Repair a Washing Machine Stuck on One Cycle?

As discussed earlier, the main cause of a stuck washing machine is a faulty timer. The timer is the most important part of a machine as it controls all the functions, such as washing or rinse cycles. 

A faulty timer does not automatically move onto the next cycle. The only solution is to replace the timer. It is very easy, and it does not cost you very much money. 

The cost does not matter if you do it yourself. It will save you hundreds of dollars instead of hiring a washing machine repair technician.

What is the reason for a faulty timer?

The replacement of a faulty timer is very important for the efficient working of a washing machine. A machine does not work in the right way without a timer. 

It is due to the reason that the timer motor has shorted out. When this happens, the timer is not usable, and a replacement is needed.

How to Replace the Timer in Your Washing machine?

Replacing a timer is very easy and is not as much complicated as other parts of the washing machine are. Only disassemble the control panel and insert a new timer.  

Following are some of the simple steps you need to follow while replacing a timer:

  • The first step is to disconnect the power and water supply of the washer for safety purposes.
  • After disconnecting the power supply, remove three screws on the top of the control panel, lift up that face of the panel to disconnect the locking tabs and lay it forward.
  • After accessing the control panel, you will need to remove the cycle knob in order to reach and remove the timer. 
  • To remove the timer, you need to access the back of the control panel and unscrew the screws that secure the timer to it and then attach the new timer.

Related questions

How do you fix a washing machine that is stuck on the rinse cycle?

The washing machines are usually stuck at the rinse cycle. To get rid of it, twist the knob right after the “rinse” line, find the sweet spot, and pull the knob out.

Is there a reset button on a washing machine?

The older machines used to have reset buttons. Even some machines also have this feature at present. While most of the modern washing machines come with a reset feature that allows you to restart the washer after it experiences an error code or fault. 

Conclusion

Any sort of problem related to machines would be due to our mistakes or technical faults. It is better to treat the problem at the initial stage if you want to avoid or wreck a pricey laundry appliance.

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