5 Common Washing Machine Problems

Automatic washing machines replaced old-style wringer machines in the 1950s and have been a stable in American households ever since. Most homeowners rely heavily on their washing machine, often using it to do laundry several times a week. So a broken or malfunctioning washing machine is definitely not ideal!

Here at Diamond Appliance, we provide expert repair services on the most common washing machine brands including Amana, JennAir, Estate, Roper, and more. If your washing machine is still under warranty, call the manufacturer to schedule your repair. If not under warranty, call Diamond Appliance today.

In our decades of experience working with washing machines, we see the same issues over and over again. Read on to learn more about common washing machine issues and what may be causing them.

Common Issue #1: Machine is making a funny noise or vibrating too much.

Excessive movement may indicate that the machine is not sitting on level ground. This is an easy fix – simply place the washer on a piece of 3/4” plywood and use shims if necessary to even out the surface. Also try unloading and reloading clothes into the washer so they are blanched throughout the tub.

A washing machine that is making a funny noise or vibrating more than usual likely has an issue with the tub bearings, which are likely water damaged and need to be replaced.

Common Issue #2: Machine does not run or halts mid-cycle

If your washer won’t run, first check the power source. Is the machine plugged in? Try unplugging it and plugging it back in and see if it runs. You may also want to check your home’s circuit board to ensure electricity is flowing to the machine. Finally, the issue may be with the electrical outlet – if you suspect this is the case, unplug the machine and contact a qualified electrician to take a look.

If power is flowing to the machine and it still will not turn on or halts mid-cycle, check the door/lid switch. If broken, this can keep the machine from functioning properly. In older models, the door/lid switch may not appear broken but could be worn out from overuse.

Finally, check to make sure your controls are properly aligned – on some models the knobs to select wash cycle and timing need to align just right for the machine to run.

Common Issue #3: Machine does not drain

If your washing machine is not draining, check the drain pipe. Is the drain hose properly connected to the drain pipe? Is anything impeding the drain pipe or drain hose’s ability to move water out of the machine like a clog or a kink? If so, you can manually remove the clog or fix a kink in the hose.

Your drain pump may also need to be repaired or replaced – check to make sure no foreign objects have wedged themselves in the washer’s drainage system or call in an expert to take a look.

Finally, make sure you aren’t using too much laundry detergent. Too much detergent can cause excessive suds which, on some models, will impede drainage.

Common Issue #4: Water stays in the machine during spin cycle

If water lingers in your washing machine during and after the spin cycle, you likely are experiencing a problem with the drain pump. If your machine is older, the pump has likely worn out or gotten damaged over the years. You will also want to check the drain hose connection to the drain pipe for this issue – is it connected? Is there debris in the drain hose that might be keeping water from draining away?

Common Issue #5: Machine’s spin cycle is moving too slowly

If your machine is moving too slowly, the motor coupler may need to be replaced. You may also notice a rattling sound coming from your machine – this also indicates an issue with the motor coupler. Other culprits may include a broken lid switch or a worn out or broken belt.

Before replacing the motor, though, make sure you are not overloading the machine when washing your clothes. An overloaded machine can become unbalanced, which can affect the spin cycle speed. Also be sure to evenly distribute clothes throughout the washer tub to improve balance.

Remember, if your washing machine is under warranty, call the manufacturer to fix issues like the ones outlined above. If your machine is no longer under warranty, call Diamond Appliance. Here at Diamond, we proudly serve appliance owners throughout St. Louis, Kansas City, and other communities across Missouri and Kansas with expert washing machine repair services for all major brands. Give us a call to get started today.