Why is this happening?
There can be many reasons why a washing machine breaks down. Typically an error code will be displayed on the light panel. To understand what these numbers mean, you need to use the instructions. When purchasing equipment, the manufacturer must include a booklet on the operation of the machine, and there you need to look for the necessary information.
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The most common causes of washing problems are:
- Machine overload (code 3C)
- Blockages and mechanical breakdowns (codes 5C or 5E)
- Electronics problems (codes UC or 9C)
- The leakage protection system started working automatically (codes LE1 or LC1)
- Poorly closed car door, sudden unlocking (codes DC3)
- Problems with “spare parts” (BC for motor, EC for temperature sensor)
Experts note that in 90% of cases, breakdowns occur prematurely due to improper operation of the machine. For example, drain blockages occur because small parts, things from pockets, and buttons get into the pipes. Sometimes this can cause problems with the pump or heating element when the buttons damage internal elements during operation of the machine.
Also, problems with heating and heating elements arise due to scale and improper use of the powder. For example, it is forbidden to use hand washing powders in the machine: too much foam is released, which coats the heating element and causes it to heat up too much. The same can be said about using soap or too much powder.
We recommend reading: How to descale heating elements?
When too much laundry is loaded, the drive belts can't handle it. Excessive load also causes water from the drum to enter the bearing, which quickly becomes rusty and stops working. How to replace the bearing is described here.
Most of these breakdowns cannot be repaired on your own. Moreover, inept repairs can cause even greater damage to the washing machine. Correcting such errors will cost a lot of money.
Simple reasons and solutions
The machine may stop due to glitches in the program or problems that anyone can fix. Most often, such problems are associated with operational errors and carelessness of the owners.
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Overload and imbalance
Very often people do not pay enough attention to sorting laundry, which often leads to washing stops.
Problems of this kind can be divided into 3 categories:
- Stoppages due to too much weight of loaded clothes.
- Incorrect placement of things inside the car.
- Incompatible items are loaded into the car.
Let's look at each of these reasons in more detail. Before loading laundry, find out what weight of items is considered the maximum allowable. New models automatically weigh clothes and do not start washing if the actual value exceeds the recommended value.
In simpler washing machines, the wash may start, but due to overload, it will stop mid-process. Therefore, before you start, look at how many kilograms of laundry you can wash at a time. This information is available in the instructions, sometimes it is placed on a sticker directly on the surface of the machine.
The second reason is that the laundry is unevenly distributed throughout the drum. Such situations happen when small items (socks, T-shirts or towels) get stuffed into the duvet cover, curl up and get stuffed against the far wall of the machine.
There is undue pressure on this area. To avoid damage, the wash automatically stops. You need to open the door, unravel the laundry and continue washing.
The third reason is typical for modern models in which the washing mode is selected automatically. If the system sees that things are not compatible with each other and they need to be washed at different temperatures, this can lead to system failures.
Program error
If the machine suddenly stops in the middle of washing, you simply chose the wrong modes. For example, you cannot soak and bleach things at the same time; these modes are not compatible.
Such nuances are described only in the instructions. If you are going to use a program for the first time, it is better to spend a few minutes familiarizing yourself with the rules for using it.
Sometimes program errors occur due to a failure in the electronic system of the equipment. If you restart the wash and the problem persists, it is better to contact a specialist. It is possible that some components have failed and will have to be replaced. An ordinary user will not be able to diagnose this on their own.
It is better to entrust the repair of washing machines to professionals!!!
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Blockage
Sometimes the washing machine stops working because the water does not flow well into the drum. This is caused by the formation of blockages in sewers or equipment hoses. As a rule, this becomes noticeable during spinning or rinsing.
Blockages can occur in the hose itself through which water flows, in the pump or filter. It is difficult to determine the exact location of the blockage on your own. However, you can try to solve the problem yourself.
First of all, you need to clean the drain filter: this is where blockages most often form. The filter is located in the lower left part of the machine on the front side.
- Remove the protective panel
- Find the filter and start turning it counterclockwise.
- Before doing this, it is better to tilt the device back a little and place a basin under the filter. Excess water will drain and the hole with the filter can be cleaned.
- Next, return the part to its place and try to start the wash.
You can also clean the drain hose yourself. Using a screwdriver, unscrew it from the washing machine and sewer pipe, clean it with boiling water. For mechanical cleaning, you can use a long pin or strong wire. After the dirt has been removed, return the hose to its place.
Sometimes blockages occur in sewer pipes. Before calling a plumber, try to get rid of the problem yourself. Fill the pipe with boiling water, and if this does not help, use special chemicals for cleaning pipes.
The worst thing is when the pump becomes clogged. Theoretically, you can clean the pump yourself. However, the risk that you dismantle it incorrectly or damage it during installation is too great. Therefore, if regular cleaning of pipes and filters does not help, it is better to call a specialist.
Other reasons
The washing machine may stop working to prevent the apartment from flooding. If the hose breaks, the automatic protection system will prevent water from flowing out and stop the wash. When you encounter this kind of problem, simply replace the hose. For this:
- Unscrew the old part with a screwdriver
- Clean the new hose from films and packaging materials
- Carefully attach the part to the drain hole and sewer pipe.
Washing problems can occur due to a poorly closed door. The machine will not start working until the door is locked. In budget models, the hatch may not fit well to the wall and move away during the process. If this happens, gently push down on the hatch until you hear a click. After this, the machine should resume operation.
Also, the wash stops when there is a problem with the latching mechanism. Unfortunately, you cannot fix them yourself; for this you need the help of a specialist. If you see that the door is constantly opening and the hook is not holding it, you need to call a professional.
Correctable reasons
- overload . In this case, the machine stops the washing process at the very beginning if it has a built-in sensor for the weight of the placed laundry. If it seems to you that you really might have overdone loading the drum, take out some of the things and try to start the machine again. If the washing process begins, it means that the problem was precisely the too much weight of the loaded laundry.
— incorrect choice of washing mode . If you have selected the delicate wash function, a small amount of water may remain in the drum after the machine has stopped. You may get the impression that the equipment has stopped working. In this case, you must forcefully drain the water.
- imbalance of linen . Sometimes it happens that things inside the drum get bunched up. For example, some small items of clothing may get inside the duvet cover, or children's tights may get tied into a large knot. Washing one item that is not evenly distributed over the surface can also lead to an imbalance of laundry inside the drum. The washing machine stops its operation, eliminating the possibility of strong vibration. If you open the machine and see that there is indeed a reason for the imbalance inside, you will need to manually disassemble the items and continue the washing process.
Mechanical causes and solutions
More serious problems arise when one of the functional elements of the machine breaks down. Such malfunctions are very complex; it is impossible to repair them yourself without the appropriate knowledge and qualifications.
Engine failure
A broken engine is the most unpleasant thing that can happen to a car. In the event of serious breakdowns on the car, the light display will not even light up. It will not make any sounds, and any attempts to turn on the equipment will not be successful. In this case, you need to carefully drain the water through the emergency drain, take out the clothes, disconnect the machine from the power supply and call a technician for diagnostics.
Failure of the heating element
A heating element is a tubular electric heater. If the machine just started working and immediately went silent, most likely there are problems with the heating element. The water cannot heat up and the machine cannot start the selected wash cycle. Also, the equipment often freezes in the last minutes of washing, which can also indicate problems with heating the water.
Pump failure
Stopping the washing machine in the last minutes of operation may be a sign of pump failure. Most often, it is necessary to replace rubber gaskets or impellers, but often there is a need to completely replace the element.
Signs of a malfunctioning sediment pump are too noisy or too quiet. If the pump makes a loud noise when starting up, but no water appears in the drum, then the problem is with the pump. If it does not make any sounds, this may also indicate that there are problems with this part.
Freezes immediately after turning on
Most washing machines are equipped with a light indicator or display. If, after the laundry is loaded, the washing mode is selected and the “start” button is pressed, nothing happens, then the washing machine is frozen. The complete absence of signs of operation indicates a malfunction caused by one or more reasons. The reasons may be the following:
- Water getting into the electrical part;
- No water access;
- Electronics failure;
- User error;
- Malfunction in the hatch locking device;
- There is a fault in the control module.
If, after 20-30 seconds after switching on, no water is drawn, then this may indicate simple forgetfulness of the user who did not open the water supply tap or the failure of the inlet valve. The second and quite common cause of freezing is overloading the washing drum, especially on new models with direct drive; it can also be due to the machine being unevenly leveled.
Manufacturers of household appliances LG or Indesit equip washing machines with appropriate indicators that indicate an error. In addition, if the machine freezes, an error code may appear on the information display, deciphering which you can determine the cause of the malfunction.
Error codes may differ for different manufacturers; you can find them in the documentation that comes with your automatic machine. For example, in Hotpoint-Ariston units without displays, when you select any program and try to start, the red warning light for the hatch lock starts flashing, but no water is drawn. The reason for the machine freezing in this case may be the condition of the motor's carbon brushes, replacing which can eliminate the problem.
Sometimes, as a result of a power surge, a temporary failure may occur in the electronics of the washing machine. In order for the unit to work, sometimes it is enough to either simply restart it by pressing the “start” button, or restart it after disconnecting from the power outlet for 20-30 seconds.
A malfunction of the sunroof lock can also cause freezing. In this case, the lock itself may be damaged mechanically, or the operation of its electrical part may be disrupted. In any case, if the lock does not block the hatch, water will not enter the drum and the washing process will not begin.
What should I do if the machine stops while washing?
If a problem occurs, follow the following algorithm:
- Try rebooting the machine. In 90% of cases this helps. Also open the hatch and check if the laundry is tangled.
- Press the door, check that there is a click when it closes, and that the hatch does not move away from the wall of the car.
- If you see that water is not flowing into the drum or is not draining, then there is a blockage. Try cleaning the sewer pipe, drain pipe, filter. If this doesn't help, call a professional.
- If your machine won't turn on, displays an unknown error code, makes strange noises, or keeps stopping for no apparent reason, don't try to fix it yourself. It’s better to call a technician who will accurately determine the cause of the problem and be able to fix it correctly.
This video describes in detail the situation when the washing machine stops while washing.
Most problems with your washing machine stopping can be resolved on your own. However, often people’s inept actions only aggravate the situation. Therefore, if you are not sure that you can change the hose or clean the filter, it is better not to risk it and entrust this task to a professional.
