Washing Machine Repair Guides

A washing machine that doesn’t spin properly or at all will leave you with dripping wet clothes – not ideal! So what causes a washing machine to stop spinning?

• Overloading – The most common reason for a washing machine to stop spinning, but also the easiest to remedy! Overloading your machine can throw the machine off balance, which in turn affects the sensors and can lead to the machine shutting down prematurely before it’s had time to spin. To solve this, try to make sure that you’re not overloading your drum, particularly with heavy items like towels and outwear. If you feel like you’re constantly overloading your machine, it could be time to upgrade to a washing machine with a larger capacity!
• Damaged door latch / lock – The door lock on your washing machine plays a vital role in signalling to the machine that it’s safe to move on to the next step in its cycle, i.e. the spin. If the door of your machine isn’t secured in place properly, it won’t spin. Check that your door clicks when you close it properly, if it doesn’t then it could be broken or damaged. If this is the case you’ll need the help of an experienced appliance repair engineer to replace it – book your appointment with NAC today!
• Faulty drive belt – The drive belt is the part of your machine that’s responsible for the spinning of the drum. Unfortunately, just like the belts in your car, they can wear over time with use. You can test whether your washing machine’s drive belt is damaged by trying to spin the drum manually. If there is no resistance at all, then it’s highly likely that your drive belt needs replacing. This is something best left to professionals; contact your local NAC technician today for help.
• Blocked drain pipes – Your washer may not be spinning as the water has nowhere to go! A blocked drain pipe is a common cause of washing machines not spinning successfully. We recommend taking a look at the pipes at the back of your washing machine and removing any blockages you find. You could also put your machine on a very hot wash or purchase a washing machine unblocker to solve the problem.

If your washing machine isn’t draining at the end of a cycle, then it’s highly likely that your drain pipe is blocked. It’s common for items left in pockets, like coins, tissues, keys, or even a loose sock to become wedged in the drain hose. If this occurs, we recommend doing the following:

• Firstly turn off your washing machine at the plug to ensure it’s safe to work on.
• Next, lay down some towels on the floor around/under the washing machine as water will leak out during the next steps.
• Find your pump filter and make sure it’s clean, removing any debris that may have been caught during washes.
• Once clear, it’s time to take a look at the drain hose located at the rear of the machine. Carefully unscrew the spigot that attaches the hose pipe to your sink’s waste trap and tip out any water from the pipe.
• Look for blockages in both the pipe itself and the waste trap it connects to, removing any debris as you go.

Check out our handy video guide for more information – Washing Machine Not Draining Guide

If this doesn’t solve the problem, then it could be an issue with the machine’s pump or even an electrical fault. In this case, we recommend contacting a professional engineer. Book an appointment with your local washing machine repair expert with ease at NAC!

Let’s face it, a washing machine that doesn’t clean your clothes is completely pointless. But it’s surprisingly more common than you may think! Fortunately, there are a couple of common reasons why this could be happening:

• Dirty drum – Over time, grime and limescale can build up on the inside of your washing machine, either on the drum itself or on the door seal. This dirt can be easily transferred onto your clean clothes when removing them from the machine! To solve this, wipe your door seal with a damp cloth and warm soapy water before wiping out the drum too.
• Overloading – In order to get properly cleaned, your clothes need room in the drum to be able to move around and allow the detergent to do its job. If you overload your washing machine then the clothes won’t get cleaned properly and dirt can get trapped between the items! Don’t exceed your machine’s capacity to ensure your clothes are cleaned properly every time.
• Wrong detergent / wash cycle – Choosing the appropriate cycle for the clothes you’re washing is more important than you might think. If your sports gear is heavily soiled or your delicates need a freshen-up, you should use the respective cycle for each to get the best results. If you’re not sure what the different cycles on your machine are for, just check your manual! The same goes for detergents, if they’re designed to work at a specific temperature and you’re using a different temperature wash then they won’t have the intended effect and your clothes might come out dirty.

Even though it cleans your clothes every day, most people often forget that your washing machine itself will need cleaning every now and then. A foul smell emanating from your washing machine may be caused by:

• Dirty door seal – Water and detergent often get trapped in the nooks and crannies of your door seal. Over time this can turn into grime and even mould if you don’t regularly wipe it out. Give your door seal a good clean with warm soapy water and see if the smell goes away.
• Dirty drum – Dirt and grime can build up on your washing machine drum. To remove it, give the inside a good wipe-out with a soapy cloth before putting your empty machine on a hot wash with some washing machine cleaner.
• Mouldy detergent drawer – With regular use, the detergent drawer of your washing machine will likely develop grime and mould over time. Unfortunately, this mould causes a terrible smell to develop in your machine. We recommend giving the detergent drawer a good clean to remove any mould that’s present and then continue to dry and wipe it out every few cycles moving forward to prevent it from returning.
• Blockages – A blockage in your drain hose will lead to an awful drain-like smell developing. Carefully unscrew the pipe, placing towels or a bucket down to catch the water, and give it a thorough clean.

Check out our video guide on How to Deal with Foul Odours Coming from Your Washing Machine Drum.