Domestic Repairs Help & Advice

Washing Machine, Fridge Freezer, Cooker, Dishwasher & Tumble Dryer Repair Advice & Self Help Guide

Washing machine leaking, broken, won't spin? Cooker not working properly, oven not heating? Fridge light gone out, won't cool?
Find the answers here. Use the links above to look for answers to your domestic appliance repair problem.

Below are some of the most common faults with domestic appliances. However, we must stress that we cannot be held responsible for any damage or accident caused.

IMPORTANT: Disconnect any appliance from the power supply before attempting any work. Electricity can kill!

Disclaimer
All work must be carried out by a competent person, and we accept no liability for any problems caused whilst attempting any advice shown. These help pages are a guide only and do not replace a qualified engineers work.

The door won't open on my machine
1. Some models are fitted with a door interlock that will not allow the door to open if water is in the machine. Make sure the machine is drained of water.
2. Some machines have a pressure bowl in plastic or rubber secured to the side of the tub, this gets blocked. Clean it out.
3. On some Hotpoint models there is a pecker arrangement on the motor, this can get out of adjustment or fail. Re-adjust or replace.

My drum won't go round
1. Most motors on washing machines today are fitted with carbon brushes. The carbon brush is the most common reason for failure of motor action Check carbon brush for wear and replace if necessary.
2. The drive belt may have come off the pulley. Check and if necessary replace.
3. The bearings may have gone in the drum - causing the belt to have come off. Check and replace bearings.
4. Component failure in order:- 1.carbon brushes. 2. motor. 3. module. 4. programme switch (very unlikely).

My machine leaks
1. In 40% of cases the plumbing is at fault. Make sure the outlet pipe does not overflow.
2. The door rubber has a hole. Replace door seal.
3. The pump is leaking at its gland. Replace pump.
4. The sump or other hose has a hole. Replace faulty hose.

My machine will not stop filling
1. If the machine fills with water when the electricity is not switched on then a water valve is faulty. Detect which valve is letting water into the machine and replace.
2. The pressure system may be blocked, resulting in the pressure switch not getting the signal to turn off the water valve. Strip and clean the pressure bowl that goes into the tub.

My machine will wash but will not spin
1. Most machines are fitted with a fail-safe whereby if the machine has water in it it will not spin. Usually caused by: (i) the filter is blocked or (ii) the hose to the filter is blocked resulting in the water not leaving the machine to allow the spin program to continue. Pressure system may also be blocked.

My machine will not empty of water
1. The filter (if fitted) may require cleaning
2. There is an obstruction in the sump or pump. Lay the machine on its side with the pump downmost and remove sump and look in pump for obstruction.
3. There is a coin, button or other foreign body in the outlet pipe. Remove pipe and push a length of round wood down through the pipe.

The drum goes round but there is no heat
1. The most common fault in this instance is a faulty thermal overload cut-out (t.o.c.). Check for continuity or condition to determine whether faulty and replace if necessary.

I can hear the motor but the drum isn't turning
1. The belt has most likely broken. Take the worn belt and model number when replacing as the numbers on the belt are very important.

TEST TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NO POWER TO THE APPLIANCE BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY WORK

The oven and the oven light will not come on
1. On most quality cookers the clock has to be switched on and set to a time to enable the main oven to work.

There is no heat in my fan oven but the fan is turning
1. In most cases this will be the element situated on the outside of the fan being open circuit. Test and replace.

One of the rings on my radiant cooker does not work
1. The rings frequently go open circuit. Remove faulty ring, test and replace.

The heat from my oven is escaping
1. Check the seals on the cooker or the door (mostly situated on the cooker). If damaged replace.

FRIDGES

The compressor is running, but it isn't cold enough inside the fridge
1. The fridge wants re-gassing but in our experience this is only a stopgap and the fault is likely to reoccur as it is hard to find a hole from where the gas has escaped.

My fridge is freezing everything and runs all the time
1. The thermostat is faulty and jammed in the on position. Replace.

My fridge is not working but I can hear clicks from the bottom every 20-30 seconds
1. The compressor is most likely seized, causing the cut out on the compressor to cut out, resulting in the clicks when cutting in and out. The fridge is most likely terminal.

FREEZERS AND FRIDGE FREEZERS

My fridge freezer runs all the time but only the freezer section is working
1. Unless your fridge freezer is fitted with two thermostats, i.e. one controls the fridge and one controls the freezer, the most likely cause for this is the loss of gas. Most likely impractical to repair.
2. If your fridge freezer has two thermostats it may be that the thermostat in the fridge has failed.

There is water under the right hand front corner of the freezing section of my fridge freezer
1. Put your hand underneath the right hand corner and feel if a block of ice is forming, if so it is impractical to repair as the insulation has failed.

My fridge freezer has defrosted in the freezer section
1. If your fridge freezer is situated in a cold environment i.e. utility room or garage and it is wintertime this symptom is known as winter syndrome. If your fridge freezer is fitted with only one thermostat which is situated in the fridge section then if the temperature that the machine is standing in is below 5 degrees the fridge will not come on as it is happy that it has satisfied its temperature, resulting in the freezer section not coming on either, (especially in cold weather). You may have to apply more heat in the area that the cabinet is standing, or you will have to buy a fridge freezer which has two thermostats, one for the fridge and one for the freezer.

My dishwasher is not cleaning properly
1. Normally this fault will be either: (i) blocked filters, clean them or (ii)blocked spray arms, clean the spray arms.

My dishwasher fills with water when not switched on
1. See washing machine section.

My dishwasher is noisy when working
1. If the noise is a mechanical noise, it is most likely the bearings on the wash motor. It will probably not be practical to replace the bearings as it will require a motor pump unit.

My dishwasher won't pump out
1. Check filters and sump, if connected to sink outlet check that sink outlet is not blocked.

My dishwasher fills with water but won't heat
1. Component failure in order: (i) heater (ii) thermostat (iii) broken wiring in door (iv) programme switch.

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