Washing machine not starting a cycle: what our engineers find
These figures come from NAC's own repair records: 218 washing machine jobs our engineers attended for this fault. Here is what they found, what fixed it and what it typically cost.
When a washing machine lights up but will not start a cycle, there are several things our engineers sometimes find. One is a door lock that is no longer working, so the door never locks at the start of the programme and the machine will not go any further. Another is the child lock being left switched on, which stops the controls from starting a wash. Engineers also sometimes find worn brushes in the motor, a drain filter or drain hose blocked with debris, or a water supply tap that has been turned off.
To find the cause, an engineer usually selects a programme and watches whether the door locks, then checks that power is reaching the door lock and tests the lock itself. They may also check the condition of the motor brushes and look for blockages in the drain. Once the fault is put right, they run the machine through a rinse, spin or quick wash to make sure it fills, turns, drains and spins properly.
If a new door lock or motor brushes are needed, the part often has to be ordered and fitted at a second visit.
Written by our engineers from these jobs.
- Jobs attended
- 218
- Confirmed repairs
- 94
- This is not a success rate. Jobs inside their 60-day window, jobs still being classified, jobs held for review and visits that didn't end in a repair aren't counted.
- Fixed at the first appointment
- 52%
- about half of our repairs
- Typical total paid by customers
- £102 to £171
- including parts and VAT, from 82 repairs
No single cause has enough confirmed repairs behind it yet to show for this fault.
Error codes we see with this fault
- Candy E08: Motor or motor drive fault, often worn carbon brushes.
- Hotpoint F06: Door lock fault, often the lock not releasing at the end of the cycle.
- Indesit F01: Motor or motor control fault, such as a motor short.
- LG CL: Child lock is switched on.
- LG OE: Drain fault, water not draining from the drum.
- Miele F53: Drum speed or motor sensor fault, programme stops during spin.
- Samsung DC: Door lock or door circuit fault, door not closing or locking.
- Hotpoint F05: Drain fault, the machine cannot empty.
About the price. £102 to £171 is the typical total paid by customers, including parts and VAT: the middle half of what customers paid on 82 of these repairs. Repairs paid for by manufacturers and insurers aren't counted, because that work is charged at contract rates. It's a guide, not a quote. Your engineer confirms a fixed price before any work starts.
Before you check anything yourself
- Switch the washing machine off and unplug it, or turn it off at the isolator switch, before you touch anything. Our guide to safely isolating an appliance walks you through it.
- If it involves the mains supply, sealed parts, or you're not confident at any point, stop and book a qualified engineer rather than risk injury or further damage.
Rather leave it to us?
- Fixed-price quote before any work starts
- Same or next-day visits where available
- UK-wide engineer coverage