The Top 7 Problems With Washing Machines And Their Solutions

Introduction

You've got a laundry list of things to do, and the last thing you need is your washing machine giving you trouble. Luckily, these problems are all fairly common and easy to fix with just a little bit of know-how.

1. Washing machine smells bad

If your washing machine smells bad, a foul odor could be due to mold and mildew. If you've ever tried to clean a shower curtain, then you know what this stench is like. Just like your shower curtain, soap scum and moisture can cause mold and mildew to grow in your washing machine.

One way that this can happen is if you're using too much detergent when doing laundry. Overusing detergent will lead to a buildup of soap scum on your clothes and in the drum of your washer later when they go through their cycles again. The result? A stinky washing machine!

If this describes your situation and vinegar sounds like something you have handy at home, here's how it works:

• Fill the washing machine with hot water and add about 1 cup of vinegar (or a quarter cup if you have a smaller load). This amount is generally enough to remove most soap scum from your laundry. If you're using more than one load at a time, use 1/2 cup of vinegar for each load.

• Add your clothes to the washing machine and run through an empty cycle without any detergent or fabric softener. This will help you get rid of some of the soap scum build up before adding in any additional products.

• Once you've run the first empty cycle, add in your detergent and fabric softener as usual. Run through another empty cycle to make sure all of the products are rinsed out thoroughly.

• After that, run through a regular cycle with hot water to make sure all of the soap scum is removed. If there are still traces of it on your clothes, you can repeat this process again until they are clean and fresh-smelling!

2. Washing machine is leaking

If your washing machine is leaking, the first thing to check is the drain hose. Before inspecting the internal parts of the washer, check that the external drain hose hasn’t become loose or punctured. The drain hose often become damaged when the washer is pushed too close to the wall and the vibrations from the washer cause it to split. If possible, run the washer and watch the drain hose to see if it is causing the leak.

Next, Tub-to-Pump or Internal Drain Hose. You will need to remove the access panel to examine these internal hoses.

Another common cause of a washer leak is an issue with the drain pump. Drain pumps can become damaged if a foreign object gets through the washer’s filters and into the pump. It can also crack, or a connection can become loose due to wear and tear. The drain pump bearings can also become worn. Then, inspect less common causes, such as the detergent dispenser, water inlet valve, and pressure switch.

If you've checked all of these parts but still can't find a solution to your leaking problem, it might be time to call in a professional!

3. Washing machine won't spin

If your washing machine is not spinning, check these things first:

• Drain pump blockage: One of the most common causes of your washing machine not spinning is a clogged drain pump. A blockage in the outlet pipe that prevents a constant flow of water into and out of the machine can cause this. If your drain pump is clogged, you'll find that your machine takes longer or does not drain fully.

• Imbalanced drum: When the load is too big for the machine, or when you try to wash one large item on its own, the appliance identifies a risk. If the drum travels too much or in an unbalanced manner, it puts pressure on the machine, causing it to shift around or break completely. Make sure your washing machine isn't overloaded, and if you have one huge item of clothing, add smaller ones to balance the load. You should also make sure your machine is level.

• Motor brushes worn out: The motor brushes of your washer connect the drum to the motor. Over time, brushes can wear down, causing the machine to fill with water, and drain as usual, but the drum won't be able to spin and your garments won't be cleaned well. When this happens, call an electrician for assistance!

4. The washing machine won't fill up with water

If your washing machine won't fill up with water, it could be because of one of the following issues:

• The washing machine is not draining properly. Make sure that the drain hose is free from any obstruction and that the water supply is turned on.

• Check your electrical circuit breakers or fuses for tripped breakers or blown fuses. You may also want to check for any other appliances on this circuit that might have had power shut down to them as well, as they could have caused an electric overload (or trip) in your home's wiring system.

• If you're getting a flow of water from your hose but your washer isn't full up, the issue could be with your water valve. It could simply be a matter of cleaning the filter. If the water valve filter is clean, the problem can be with the valve's connectivity.

5. Washing machine won't drain

If your washing machine won't drain, there are a few things you can check to determine the cause.

• Test the Lid Switch Assembly

Top-loading washers will only drain and spin if the lid is securely closed. Therefore, a defective lid switch assembly could be causing the problem.

• Check the drain hose for blockages.

If it's completely clogged, the machine won't be able to push water through and it won't drain. Unblock any blockages with a long-handled brush or by using an attachment on your vacuum cleaner.

• Check that the drain pump is working properly.

Washing machines use a pump to get rid of excess water from inside the drum and into your pipes, so make sure it's not damaged or blocked in any way; if this happens, then drainage will be severely impaired because there will be too much liquid inside for gravity alone to clear away! If you think this may be an issue with yours specifically (and if so we recommend getting one changed out sooner rather than later), then check that its filter hasn't become clogged—this could prevent proper drainage as well!

• Clean out the Coin Trap

Some washers have a coin trap designed to catch foreign objects before they flow into the drain. Coin traps usually have a panel designed for easy access. If your washer has one, clean it out and see if the tub will drain now.

6. Washer bounces around loudly

If your washing machine is bouncing around loudly:

• Check the bottom of your washing machine to see if it's sitting level on the floor. If it isn't, adjust its legs so that they're in contact with the floor.

• Make sure that all of the bolts and screws are tight at the bottom of your washer, as well as at any other parts of your washer that may be loose. It's important to always check these points before trying to fix another problem with a washing machine because one out-of-place bolt or screw can throw off a washer's balance.

• If the problem only occurs occasionally, it could simply be due to an unbalanced load. Stop the machine and open it up to see whether there are more clothes on one side of the drum. If that's the issue, arrange the clothing and try to spread it out as equally as you can.

7. Washing machine leaves marks on clothes

If you've noticed that your clothes are getting marks on them during the wash cycle, there are several possible causes for this. It could be a problem with the washer itself, the transmission, or any one of many other parts. Here are a few things you should check:

• Do you sort your clothes before you wash them?

• Do you use too much or do not allow the bleach to thoroughly mix with water before putting it in clothes?

• Do you zip, button, and fasten all clothing before washing and turning items inside out？

Conclusion

We hope that this article has helped you better understand the top 7 common problems with washing machines and their solutions. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Check out TCL’s washing machines that care for your clothing and your health!

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