The washing machine does not work: what to do?⭐ Instructions on how to fix the washing machine yourself

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Before purchasing a washing machine, buyers study the characteristics, compare models, trying to choose the best one. But we are still not immune to the situation when a new product:

does not work;
performs individual programs poorly;
makes noise, vibrates;
sizes do not fit;
I don't like the appearance.

In such a situation, you can exchange the purchase or get a refund only if it is faulty.

Signs of breakdown

You can start looking for the answer to the question: “How to fix a washing machine with your own hands?” when:

The car does not respond to the start button. If there is light in the house, most likely there is something wrong with the power supply to the device itself.
The machine responds to the power button, but it is impossible to set a program or individual function. Again, the first thing to do is diagnose the power supply.
The machine turns on, I can select a program, but during the wash there is a strange sound - a knocking sound or something else. In such cases, you have to repair the washing machine drum.
Water does not drain. Then the problem is in the pump.

This is a non-exhaustive list of signs. There may be others that indicate equipment failure. But don’t get upset right away and don’t rush to call the service, as you can handle some problems yourself.

Why doesn't the washing machine work?

Sometimes the reason a machine refuses to wash is not its internal faults, but external circumstances:

There is a short circuit and there is no power to the outlet. Check if there is light in the room, if necessary, turn the switch to the desired position.
Faulty outlet or surge protector. To check, try inserting a lamp or other household appliance.
Damaged power cord, especially if there is a burning smell. To check for sure, you need to ring it with a multimeter along its entire length.

Important! Before looking for reasons why the automatic washing machine does not work, check the external factors.

The water supply valve to the drum is closed. Check if there is water in the water supply and if the faucet for filling the washing machine is open.
The drain hose is kinked or there are foreign objects on it that are pinching it. Straighten the hose and remove any excess.
The drum is overloaded or the laundry is not distributed correctly. Distribute things evenly, check that there are not too many of them.

If you have checked everything and the problem remains, you need to find out further why the automatic washing machine stopped working. It is likely that some component of the unit is faulty.

How to properly repair the spin cycle in a washing machine?

What to do if the spin does not work?
We can say that the spin cycle in the washing machine does not work when:

The program has ended, but there is still water in the drum.
Things are wet after washing.
The water drains slowly or noisily.
The water drains off without any problems, but the clothes still remain unwrung.
Spin works through washing.
The machine seems to be wrung out, but after that the clothes are still wet.

These are the most common signs. That is, there is some kind of breakdown in the car that needs to be found and fixed.

How to return a defective washing machine?

Among the defects there are obvious ones: if the machine does not turn on or close, then there is no need to prove its malfunction. There are times when it operates with a lot of noise, vibration, and takes in little water. It is possible that the return will be refused.

If two weeks have not passed since the purchase, demand a replacement or money; if more time, you will need to prove the fact of the defect. If there is a warranty period, the store must carry out an examination, and if it has expired, you must, but if the breakdown is proven, you will be compensated.

How to fix a drain in a washing machine?

How to fix a drain in a washing machine?
Before you think your washing machine drain is broken, check:

Program . You can run a non-draining program, such as a delicate wash. If you really made a mistake, cancel it and set a new one via “Reset”.
Drain . It should not be twisted or in any other unclear position.
Is there a blockage ? Unplug the drain, place it in the sink and set the program. If the water goes away, great. No? Then the hose needs to be cleaned and the blockage removed.

Why the drain in the washing machine does not work:

It's time to clean the filter or pipe . There is a filter inside the pump that does not allow debris to pass through - hair, sand, and so on. The filter sometimes gets clogged and the water does not drain out. You can solve this problem yourself, simply remove debris from the filter or change it. But if the pipe is clogged, it is better to call service.
The washing machine pump needs to be repaired . It looks like a carousel, allowing water to flow down. If it burns out, you need to buy a new one, entrusting the replacement to a specialist.
The control or programmer does not work . The machine stops receiving information that it is time to drain the water. The service will help you fix the system.
The sensor is broken . Equipment without a working water level sensor does not know how much water there is. A technician can repair the drain of a washing machine by replacing the part.

Drain doesn't work

The machine freezes with water in the drum and does not go to the next program cycle (rinse, spin). Models with a display display a drain error on the screen; SMAs without a screen indicate the error by blinking lights on the control panel.

Note! Failure to drain is different from heating problems in that the machine becomes stuck with water at the end of the wash cycle. And if there is a heating malfunction - at the beginning of the program or immediately upon switching on.

Before calling a specialist, check:

Is the drain filter clogged? In horizontal machines it is located in the lower right or left corner. Here are general instructions for cleaning the filter. You can also look at the instruction manual for your washing machine; there is a separate section dedicated to cleaning the drain filter.
Is there a blockage in the sewer? Washing machines with a drain connected to the sink siphon most often suffer from such blockages. The siphon becomes clogged and prevents water from draining from the machine.
Is the drain hose kinked or pinched? Straighten the hose to resolve the problem.

If our advice did not help you, then the problem needs to be looked for inside the machine. Here is a separate article that contains all the reasons why the drain in the SMA does not work. According to the experience of RemBytTech specialists, pump failure is the most common reason for lack of drainage. The drain pump is not working, so the washing machine cannot drain water.

Replacing the drain pump >>

The motor in the washing machine does not work: what to do?

How to fix the motor in a washing machine?
If the reason is in the motor, the matter is more serious, since you won’t be able to fix the washing machine yourself. But you can diagnose without help, thereby also saving money.

Washing machines are equipped with one of three motors:

Asynchronous (used in older models).
Collector (the most common option).
Inverter (in latest generation models).

The machine broke down less than 14 days after purchase

If you identify any non-compliance with quality requirements in the unit, you can contact the store with one of the requirements:

accept the goods back and return the money paid (completion period – up to 10 days);
exchange the washing machine for a working one (this will be done within 7-30 days);
eliminate the malfunction under warranty or reimburse repair costs (maximum 45 days);
reduce the cost in proportion to the defect.

Information

The seller cannot insist on any option; in this case, the choice is up to the buyer. The detected defect can be anything, even not very serious.

Understanding washing machine programs

How to fix programs in a washing machine?
If the programs in your washing machine are broken, then you need to do the following:

Run multiple programs at the same time.
Test the rinse and spin, if everything is fine with them, then the problem is not in the pump or drain.

And look carefully at the display. Often the error code why the washing machine does not work is there. But if you don’t see anything like that, then:

Check the heating element. This is easy to do - touch the hatch, it should be warm. But not earlier than half an hour after switching on.
Diagnose the controls. If this is the point, then repairs, alas, will be expensive.

It is better to change the heating element or control system at a service center.

During installation, the motor begins to spark - something is wrong with the brushes or lamellas. You need to remove the brushes; if they are worn out, install new ones. Including, be sure to change both brushes when only one is worn out, since the load on the motor must be uniform. Otherwise, you will again have to think about how to fix the washing machine.

How long can you return a washing machine to the store - return procedure

The deadline for returning a washing machine of poor quality is the first 14 days after purchase.

You can return the money for it or exchange it during the warranty period, at its end, if in total more than two years have passed and the defect was present at the time of purchase.

The presence of a significant defect during the service life, up to 10 years, makes it possible to contact the importing company or manufacturer, who must eliminate the manufacturing defect, and make a refund or replacement if the defect is unable to be eliminated. In these cases, the examination is carried out by the buyer.

If the fault is confirmed, the money is returned within 10 days and the difference in price is reimbursed if the product has become more expensive during this time.

You need to come to the store with:

passport;
a receipt confirming payment; if lost, the purchase can be confirmed by witnesses;
claim in 2 copies, so that one can be handed over to the store, and the other must be endorsed and kept for yourself.

The rules for returning household appliances are written here.

Is it legal to return a washing machine to a store within 14 days?

The buyer has the right to refuse purchased household appliances within 14 days due to malfunctions discovered during operation. There is no need to contact the workshop to fix the defect; immediately write a claim for replacement to:

similar serviceable;
another model;
about refund.

If you decide to call a repairman, then this should be done only to draw up a report of the malfunction; repair work cannot be carried out.

You must obtain a visa from the store on a copy of the application; if this is not possible, then send it to the store’s address by registered mail, and the goods will be picked up in the seller’s car.

If you prove that you are right, it will take 10 days to resolve the issue, but if they persistently offer to make repairs, then do not agree, but go to court.

Can I return the washing machine after 14 days?

If the washing machine is faulty or constantly breaks down, and two weeks have already passed, in order to return the money or exchange it in the store, the following reasons are needed:

elimination of defects is commensurate with the cost of the product;
repairs take a long time, more than 45 days;
resumption of the defect after repair;
the total downtime of equipment exceeds 30 days during the warranty year.

If your product is taken away for repair, you must provide a similar model for free for this period.

How to return a washing machine under warranty?

What to do if the washing machine was purchased several months ago, repairs have already been made, and it does not work well.

If during the warranty year the downtime due to a malfunction is a total of thirty days or more, you can replace it.

If the seller does not agree, he must schedule an inspection of the condition of the goods at his own expense. If the defect is confirmed, the costs of checking the defect and transportation are borne by the seller; if not, then the owner pays for the examination.

Based on the return application and verification results, the store is obliged to make a return within 10 days.

Is it possible to get a refund for a washing machine if it has not yet been delivered?

It may turn out that you paid for the purchase and arranged delivery, and then your relatives called you and said that they decided to give you this model as a housewarming gift.

The legislation shows flexibility in the issue of transfer of ownership; it can be considered the moment of payment, if this is specified in the contract.

If the moment of transfer of ownership is not specified, a request for a refund is written, since it is usually considered that the goods become yours upon delivery.

How to fix the control panel in a washing machine?

What to do if the control panel does not work?
You can understand that it’s time to fix the washing machine button or its control panel when:

The panel does not light up.
The panel lights up, but the cycle cannot be started.
After switching on, the panel lights up, but then goes out. And instead of understandable symbols, unfamiliar values are displayed.

Procedure:

Make sure the outlet is functional.
Check if there is electricity. Try turning on the light in another room.

The lock does not work, the washing machine does not block the hatch

A common situation is when the SMA turns on, the program is selected, but the washing does not start: the machine does not even draw water. This happens because the door is not locked. Try opening the washing machine and closing it again (until you hear a characteristic click). Perhaps you simply did not close the car's hatch tightly, so it does not work. If opening and closing does not help, then the door lock is not working. The material “Why the washing machine does not block the door” contains a complete list of possible breakdowns. The most popular of them is a malfunction of the UBL (hatch locking device).

Replacing UBL >>