Have you had your washer for a few years and have had to use a trick or two to get it to work from time to time? You shouldn’t have to give your appliance two taps, a nudge, and a kick to get it to start. Or beg your washer to work in exchange for better maintenance and care. Check out our experts’ creative guide filled with easy tips and tricks on how to fix a washing machine, so you can easily repair your beloved family laundry appliance instead of replacing it after a year or two.
How to Fix a Washing Machine
Has your washing machine started acting up? Is there a strange smell coming out of it no matter how many times you’ve cleaned it? These issues could be a simple, quick fix or something that calls for a repair technician. Below, our experts how found some of the common washer issues and how to fix them yourself so you can keep washing laundry loads with your beloved appliances.
Washing Machine Won’t Start
Here are a few solutions to get your washer working again without needing to call a repairman.
Power Cord/Outlet
First things first, check if the power cord is still connected to the outlet since the vigorous motion of a washer can occasionally unplug the power cord. If that’s the case, just plug it back in, hit the power button, and you are set to go.
Circuits
If it’s more complicated than an unplugged cord, try checking the circuit breaker and seeing if the switch for the laundry room is off. If so, find the correctly labeled breaker and flip the switch into the “on” position.
Motor
Now, if your washer has been mysteriously shutting down before working just fine later, the issue might be the motor. If your motor is overheating, you just need to give it time to cool off. But if this is a regular occurrence, you may need to hire a repair technician to find out the root of the cause.
Lid
Most washing machines are designed to automatically stop the cycle if the lid is opened. Check the lid switch (a small plastic piece under the cover) by ensuring the door is closed properly and that the washer starts filling with water.
Washing Machine Smells
It’s not usual for a washing machine to develop a musty or moldy smell since the washer’s drum has the perfect condition for bacteria to thrive. Here are a few potential causes and easy fixes to get rid of that unpleasant odor.
Use Less Detergent
The best defense is using the correct amount of detergent and fabric softener. Too much of either creates excessive suds and dirty residue that accumulates within the drum and other parts of the washing machine.
Check Drain Pump
Most homeowners don’t clean the drain pump filter unless necessary, but it should, in fact, be cleaned at least once a month. Coins, receipts, buttons, and other small items get caught in this filter. Without a monthly cleaning, the water flow will gradually come to a halt — the ideal environment for mold and mildew to fester.
Washing Machine Doesn’t Clean Clothes or spin
Sometimes, your washer may not be cleaning your clothes well as it should be, and we have found a few easy fix problems.
Clothing Overload
It’s best to avoid overloading your washing machine. A washer can become unbalanced if filled with too many clothes or bulky items in the same load and not spin properly. If this is the issue, redistribute the clothes evenly before starting the cycle again.
Check Drain Hose/Belts
Your washer uses several belts that eventually wear down and break over time. If any of the bands start showing signs of damage, replace them with a new one before it’s too late. If the belt has broken, check to make sure the pulley hasn’t seized up and isn’t the leading cause for breaking the belt. Otherwise, you’ll have the same problem with the new belt too.
Washing Machine Makes Noise
If you hear noise your washer usually doesn’t make, here are a few of the culprits that could be causing it and how to fix them.
Unbalanced
If you have exceeded the maximum load weight for laundry, it can knock the washer’s drum off-balance. To fix this, you just need to take out a couple of pieces of clothing and then properly distribute the remaining load evenly in the drum. Also, check your washer’s manual for load size recommendations to prevent overloading the washing machine for future use.
Drain Line Blockage
If the sound you heard is similar to gurgling, it may indicate something blocking the drain line without fully obstructing its hose. Removing the clog can prevent full-blown congestion of the line, resulting in the flooding of your laundry room.
Foreign Object
A loud buzzing or humming from your washer may mean an unknown object is stuck in the washing machine’s pump. This is not uncommon, so removing the item will put a stop to the noise. Only if there is damage to the pump is when you need to buy a replacement.
Washing Machine Repair Costs
Whether you plan to fix your washing machine yourself or find a washer repair service near you can determine your budget.
Parts
If you plan to fix your washer yourself and replace any broken or damaged parts, the average washer repair cost for parts like the drain pump, belt, motor, or hose alone can range from $95–$400.
Professional Service
Should you hire a professional to get your washer back into tip-top shape, you can expect to pay anywhere from $85 to $580 at the most for parts and service.
When to Seek Professional Repair Service
While some common washer issues — noisy operation, overflow, shaking and moving, or failure to start can be DIY fixes. If the problem is more complicated than anticipated and your self-repairs aren’t working, it’s time to call an experienced professional to service your washing machine.
Receive the Best Washer Repair from Don’s Appliances
Don’s Appliances service department prides itself on having factory-trained technicians capable of servicing and repairing more than 25 appliance brands available in our store. Our EPA-friendly service department, crowned the “Top 100 Service” from Sub-Zero/Wolf, provides service and repairs within a 125-mile radius of our nearest stores in PA, OH, WV, and MD. Continuously receiving “A” grades from multiple manufacturers, customers can expect friendly service, prompt scheduling, appointment reminders, and top-quality professionalism of our factory-authorized technicians capable of servicing more than 25 appliance brands.
Ask for Our Repair Services at Don’s Appliances
Don’s Appliances has supported our customers and Pennsylvania communities for 50 years with our appliances and housewares expertise and competitive prices! Browse brand-name washers that can keep up with your daily home life, or visit us in person if you have any questions about our appliance services at one of our 11 appliance showrooms throughout Pennsylvania and West Virginia.