Washing machine stopping mid cycle: what our engineers find
These figures come from NAC's own repair records: 299 washing machine jobs our engineers attended for this fault in the last 12 months. Here is what they found, what fixed it and what it typically cost.
When a washing machine stops partway through its cycle, the cause our engineers find most often is worn carbon brushes in the motor. These wear down with use, and once they are too short the drum stops turning. The machine may fill with water and then stop, refuse to spin, show an error, or leave the door locked with washing inside. Engineers sometimes find a brush that has cracked or is sitting badly rather than simply worn, and worn brushes can sometimes make the machine trip the electrics.
To find the cause, an engineer usually runs the machine to see where it stops and drains any water left inside. They check other parts such as the pump, heater and drum, then look at the brushes and carry out electrical safety tests. Engineers sometimes also find a blocked drain hose or blocked pipework adding to the problem.
The fix is to fit new brushes, then run a rinse, spin and drain to make sure everything works. Engineers sometimes carry brushes with them, but they often have to be ordered and fitted at a second visit. New brushes can make a slight noise at first, which settles down with use.
Written by our engineers from these jobs.
- Jobs attended
- 299
- in the last 12 months
- Confirmed repairs
- 120
- 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
- 61%
- about 3 in 5 of our repairs
- Typical total paid by customers
- £99 to £173
- including parts and VAT, from 118 repairs
What's usually behind it
The causes our engineers found and fixed, as a share of our 120 confirmed repairs for this fault.
-
Worn carbon brushes: about 3 in 10 of our repairs, from 33 jobs.
28%
We only list causes with enough repairs behind them, so the shares won't add up to 100%.
Error codes we see with this fault
- Hoover E20: Drain fault, usually a blocked filter or drain.
- Hotpoint F06: Door lock fault, often the lock not releasing at the end of the cycle.
- LG TE: Temperature sensor or heater circuit fault.
- LG U5: Imbalance or vibration sensor fault.
- Miele F53: Drum speed or motor sensor fault, programme stops during spin.
- Samsung 5C: Drain fault, often a blocked or faulty drain pump.
- Hotpoint F05: Drain fault, the machine cannot empty.
About the price. £99 to £173 is the typical total paid by customers, including parts and VAT: the middle half of what customers paid on 118 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