The washing machine does not wash after filling with water.
An automatic washing machine is a complex appliance that can malfunction. And sometimes this can happen at the most inopportune moments. What should you do if the machine fills with water for washing, but then doesn't start the cycle? Why isn't the machine washing? This problem is not uncommon, and there can be various causes.
Causes of malfunction
If your washing machine fills with water but doesn't work, it doesn't mean you have to throw it out. Some causes of this kind of malfunction can be fixed at home. So, what could be wrong? Why won't your washing machine start?
- The drive belt has come off (if there is one at all).
- There was a breakdown in the electric motor, so the drum does not rotate.
- The heating element has burned out, which means the water is not heating up and the wash cycle won’t start.
- There was a malfunction in the control board (rare).
Changing the drive belt
If your washing machine has a direct drive, we can rule out this problem immediately, as it lacks a drive belt. Otherwise, it's best to start troubleshooting the washing machine with the belt itself. This is one of the most common reasons why the machine fills with water but doesn't start washing.
What can happen to a belt? It can come loose during improper transportation or installation, or it can wear out from prolonged use, requiring replacement. In all washing machines with a belt drive and front loading of laundry, the belt is located behind the rear cover of the housing.In top-loading machines, the belt is located behind the side cover. Removing the cover shouldn't be a problem; simply unscrew all the bolts holding it in place.
If the belt has slipped, it must be removed from the housing and carefully inspected for any defects. If any are found, it must be replaced with a new one. To install a properly functioning belt, follow these steps:
- First put it on the engine.
- With your left hand, pull the belt up, and with your right hand, begin to put it on the pulley;
- then, carefully turning the pulley counterclockwise, put the belt on completely.
After replacing the faulty belt, run a test wash cycle to make sure the machine is washing as it should.
We check the heating element and the engine of the washing machine
The second reason why a washing machine may stop washing is a faulty electric motor, or more specifically, worn-out brushes inside it. However, the motor in a washing machine may be asynchronous, meaning it doesn't have brushes. In this case, the starting capacitor fails.
Please note! The engine may not start if it overheats, for example, after 2-3 consecutive 90-minute washes. In this case, simply leave the machine for a while to allow the engine to cool.
To replace the brushes in the motor, you need to remove the motor. It's usually held in place with a couple of bolts. You'll also need to remove any existing sensors and the timing belt. Now, take the motor and use a screwdriver to remove the terminal from the brush.
Now insert a small plate into the slot, bend it back, and pull it out. The second brush is removed in the same way.
Next, insert a new brush into the brush holder, compress the brush spring, and secure it with a plate. Attach the clamp to the plate. Install the second brush in the same manner. Assemble the washing machine.
In some washing machine models, even after the machine fills with water, the wash cycle may not start due to a faulty heating element. In this case, the water is not heated, and the thermostat does not send a signal to continue the wash cycle. However, an error code regarding a faulty heating element must appear on the display. It will be required check the functionality of the heating element and, if necessary, replace it with a new one.
There is a problem with the control board
If checking the motor, heating element, and drive belt doesn't reveal the reason why the machine is filling with water and not starting a wash, there's a high probability of a faulty electrical system or control module. Checking the electrical system is a painstaking task that involves inspecting all terminals and wires. A wire may be burnt out or a terminal may be corroded. Cleaning it can restore the machine's functionality.
It's a completely different matter if there's a fault in the electronic board. It's the one that switches between washing stages. Specifically, when the machine fills with water and reaches a certain level, a signal is sent from the pressure switch to the module. Then, a signal from the module should be sent to the motor, but due to a fault, this doesn't happen.
If your control board is broken, it's best to contact a professional who can determine whether the board can be repaired or whether it needs to be replaced entirely. If you're knowledgeable about electronics, you can try testing the board yourself. But we wouldn't recommend taking the risk – because it could lead to even bigger problems.
Some users report that if the machine fills with water but doesn't start washing, the cause could be a clogged drain filter or hose. After cleaning the drain system, the machine resumes normal operation. In our opinion, users in this case are either not fully understanding the washing machine's "symptoms" or misrepresenting them, interpreting "not washing" as "not draining," "the program freezes," and so on.
It is very important for an accurate diagnosis to correctly describe the symptoms of a broken washing machine.
So, let's note that there are several possible reasons why a washing machine might not start washing after filling with water. Most of these causes are fairly easy to identify and then troubleshoot yourself. With a little willpower and patience, everything else will follow. Happy repairing!
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After turning on the program, the machine fills with water and immediately drains it.
The machine fills with water and drains it immediately.
First, check the motor. If everything else is working properly—the tank, connections, and wires spin easily—then the fault lies in the relay module, the triac, etc.
All functions work fine, spin, rinse, but washing doesn’t work. What’s the reason?
Throw it away and buy a new one. And all problems solved!
The machine fills with water and immediately displays an error (all the lights are flashing).
It fills with water, nothing happens for a while, then drains and turns off. Ardo machine.
The Indesit washing machine fills with water even for the rinse cycle and then immediately shuts off...
The Indesit machine filled with water and started washing, then stopped, all the lights started blinking, and the drain pump started working. I tried the spin cycle, but the pump still started and everything started blinking again. What's wrong? Help.
The machine fills with water, then there is a click and silence.
My Samsung Diamond WF8500NHW washer fills with water, spins, and drains, but when I select a wash cycle, it just fills the drum almost full and doesn't wash. What could this be? Please help!
Have you solved the problem?
The machine starts filling with water, lasts for about 30-60 seconds, and then stops. The wash cycle continues, but the machine just stops. What could be causing this?
Replace the motor brushes, or they're just stuck. The motor might be burned out, but first, check the brushes; they cost $2.
We replaced the bearings. We put everything back together. The machine fills with water, but doesn't wash. The spin cycle works, though.
The Daewoo car fills with water and there's silence...
The BEKO washing machine fills with water but doesn't wash. The brushes have been replaced.
Same problem...what did you do?
Hello! The machine fills with water, the buttons work, but it won't wash. Then, after 20-25 minutes, all the buttons light up. What's wrong?
Everything is written well and clearly. Well done, thank you.
My Zanussi Easyiron ZWP582 dishwasher starts filling with water and then stops after a while, but if I set it to the rinse cycle, it works fine. What could be wrong?
The washing machine makes half a rotation every 2 minutes, but doesn't wash. What could be wrong?
Thank you very much. My Sharp machine ran for a few minutes when I turned it on and then stopped. After filling with water, the drum wouldn't spin. I cleaned the brushes with sandpaper and it started working again!
My Samsung washing machine fills with water, starts washing, and then immediately stops. What's wrong?
My Indesit washing machine fills with water, but doesn't wash. It rinses and spins. Why does it fill with water but the drum doesn't spin?
Samsung machine. It fills with water, starts washing, and then immediately stops in all washing modes.