4 Easy Ways to Fix Common Washing Machine Problems

From pots of boiling water and washboards to automatic, high-tech models, washing machines have come a long way, offering humans the utmost ease in doing laundry. However, even after becoming an advanced, high-performance home appliance, a washing machine can still develop bugs and malfunction. While a faulty washing machine may sometimes need expert care, in most cases, basic tweaks and touches can make it good as new.  

If you have been dealing with a malfunctioning washing machine, look for the following faults. 

Your Washing Machine Doesn’t Drain

Perhaps the second most integral part of a washing machine’s job is to let out the water it uses for running a cycle of laundry. But sometimes, a washer can stop draining the water, choking the entire system. If that is the case, try the following tricks to get your machine’s drainage going. 

• Restart your washing machine. It may seem futile when the issue is related to drainage, but restarting an electrical device can often solve a lot of problems. So, unplug your washing machine and wait for a minute or two before plugging it again.  

• Check if the drainpipe is blocked. Sometimes the gunk from the dirty clothes along with the detergent can lodge in the drainage hose, stopping the water from coming out. If that’s the case, remove the drain pipe from your washer and run hot water through it to clear the debris. You can also use a plumbing snake to remove the blockage. 

The Door Wouldn’t Unlock 

In front loader washing machines, the door is tightly sealed during laundry cycles to keep the water inside until the device unlocks the lid after the operation is complete. Sometimes the cover can get stuck and not open no matter how hard you try. In that case, look if

• The water is not draining properly because if that’s the case, the machine will not unlock as the task is not finished. Check the drain hose and clear it if you find a blockage. 

• A piece of cloth is stuck, keeping the door sealed. Re-run your washing machine to get the clothes inside moving; the spinning will hopefully force the jammed fabric to move. 

If nothing works, try the oldest trick in the book and restart your machine. Sometimes that is the easy fix you need to deal with a malfunctioning appliance. 

Your Machine Stops Mid-Cycles

Being a piece of electrical equipment, a washing machine can often act unpredictably because of inconsistent current supply. Naturally, it will stop working when it doesn’t get a continuous electrical current to function. 

If your washing machine keeps shutting down mid-cycle without any plausible reason, check your power supply. A loose cable may be why your home appliance won’t run smoothly. 

You should also check the lid and see if it’s firmly locked. An open door can also cause a machine to cease mid-task. When your machine’s cover is not sealed correctly, it might become loose during operation, forcing the system to shut down. Therefore, ensure that your washing machine’s door is tightly locked. 

And of course, the good old ‘restarting the device’ is always there for you to fall back on. So if nothing seems to make a difference, use it. 

The Door Won’t Close

Yes, this can also happen!

If your washing machine’s lid won’t lock, inspect it for any damages or a warped latch. If that turns out to be the issue, you might have to reach out to an expert. However, if that doesn’t seem to be the case, closely look for a naughty piece of cloth or a strand of fabric in the door socket. Sometimes small obstructions can be why a washing machine cover wouldn’t shut. 

Ending Note

IF you encounter any of the mentioned issues, fix them to keep your laundry matters under control. If not, then reach out for professional help. And if your washing machine is old (let’s say, almost close to a decade), it might be time for you to get a replacement.