Why won't my Indesit washing machine start?

What should you do if your washing machine, which worked perfectly yesterday, refuses to start today? You need to inspect the machine and try to find the cause of the malfunction. Let's look at what might be causing your Indesit washing machine not to start. We'll describe the main symptoms of a malfunction that you should pay attention to.

Symptoms: What should you be wary of?

If you notice that your washing machine won't start, you need to assess the situation. It is important to analyze at what stage the equipment operation “stops”. It is important to note what signs of damage are present, for example:

• the machine does not respond to pressing the start button;
• When you plug the power cord into the socket, all the indicators on the control panel start flashing;
• the washing machine “freezes” after selecting the desired program;
• There is no power supplied to the equipment at all.

There may be many reasons why the SMA doesn't start working. These include:

• The equipment's power supply has been disrupted. The power cord may be defective, the outlet may be faulty, or there may be a power outage in the room.
• The surge protector is damaged. It's possible the surge protector has burned out, or the wiring supplying it has been damaged;
• the start button contacts have come loose;
• the hatch door locking device has failed;
• the programmer is broken – the element responsible for the operation of the keys on the control panel;
• the wiring leading to the main control unit has worn out;
• the main board burned out (this happens when there are power outages).

You can try to fix the problem yourself, without resorting to a technician. Moreover, it's not always a serious problem. It could be a temporary glitch that can be resolved by simply rebooting the equipment.

Initial actions

Don't panic if you discover that none of your washing programs are working. Instead, calmly assess the situation. First, make sure the machine is plugged into the outlet. Next, check if there's power to the room; the lack of power is likely the problem. Inspect the power cord; it might be damaged or pinched by something.

If there is a defect on the power cord, do not repair the cable with electrical tape; the damaged conductor must be completely replaced.

If a visual inspection doesn't bring you any closer to finding the cause of the breakdown, you'll have to dig deeper. Let's look at the most common malfunctions of Indesit washing machines that lead to the machine simply refusing to work.

Circumstances of the breakdown

It is necessary to assess the circumstances under which the Indesit washing machine failed. It is important to determine what happened before the machine failed to start. Perhaps the malfunction occurred immediately after purchasing and installing the equipment, a power surge, or a move. You shouldn't ignore such information, as it greatly influences the nature of the damage.

If a new washing machine that's just been purchased and installed isn't working, it's best not to try to fix it yourself. It's best to contact a service center under warranty. It's possible the problem is a manufacturing defect.

The machine may stop turning on after a power surge. In this case, the surge protector, designed to protect the control board from burning out, bears the brunt of the impact. Sometimes, after such a surge, the surge protector stops passing electrical current. To check the component, you need to:

• remove the top cover of the washing machine body;
• Locate and inspect the surge protector located near the side panel, checking for damage to the power supply wiring. During this inspection, you may notice burnt-out parts of the filter or a bulge.

If the surge protector appears intact, test its contacts with a multimeter. To do this, remove the element from the washing machine. It cannot be repaired; the entire part must be replaced.

Please note that the filter wires lead either to the start button or to the main module (depending on the Indesit model). A power surge could have burned out the wiring. Next, check that the start button is conducting current when turned on. To do this, place the multimeter probes across its contacts. If the tester shows resistance, the button is working properly. Otherwise, it will need to be replaced.

It's also possible for the start button to stick due to detergent getting underneath it. In this case, clean the slot and replace the button.

To minimize the risk of damage to the washing machine due to power surges, it is recommended to connect it via a generator.

The washing machine may break after transportation. In this case, it's a good idea to check the control module, as water, which always remains in the system, could have gotten onto the board during shaking. To check the control unit, disconnect the power to the machine, remove the top cover, and take out the detergent drawer. Then, remove the control panel, disconnect the power supply (after photographing the wiring diagram), and, after releasing the latches, pull out the main board. If it appears intact, it's best to send the module to a service center for a full diagnosis.

   

Readers' comments