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Washer Not Starting

Is your washer not starting? It can be frustrating to hit the start button and nothing happens. You will be happy to know that the solution is not difficult.

Typically, a broken or faulty lid switch is to blame when a washer is not starting. The lid switch signals the control board that the lid or door to the washing machine is closed. If it is not operating properly, then the safety feature of the washing machine will not allow the appliance to start.

Clothes inside the washer

The reason why a lid switch is often to blame is that they are relatively fragile and most people don’t handle their washing machine with care. They will slam the door shut of the front load appliance or drop the lid from a distance to close it in a top load washer.

In either case, you are putting strain on a relatively delicate item that can dictate whether your machine starts or not. If you suspect that the lid switch is to blame, you can check it with a multimeter and if necessary, it can be replaced.

Washer Not Starting

Although a lid switch is a likely culprit when you’re washer won’t start, there are other items that can also lead to the same problem. Look into the following issues if your lid switch is still operating properly.

Control Board

The control board is like the computer inside of the washing machine. Everything that operates in the machine, from the pump to the lights and beeping noises are controlled by this board.

Issues such as a power surge can fry the circuitry in the control board and leave the washing machine unable to operate. Although you can’t test the control board, you can remove it and inspect it using a magnifying glass.

Check for any areas of burnt or broken circuitry. You should also carefully inspect the wire ribbon that attaches the control board to the washing machine. If necessary, replace the control board.

Pump

If the pump to the washing machine is not operating or is failing, it can keep the machine from starting.

More than likely, the pump gave some indication that it was failing unless it was also struck by a power surge. You may have heard a grinding or squealing sound or perhaps something just didn’t quite sound right when the machine was running. That was your indicator that the pump was giving out.

You can remove the pump and check it with a multi-meter. If necessary, the pump can be replaced.

Faulty Timer

The timer is the scapegoat of the washer. More timers have been replaced unnecessarily than perhaps any other item on the washing machine.

That being said, there is a real possibility that the timer is to blame in this particular instance. You can check the timer using a multimeter and they are easy and inexpensive to replace.

There may also be some specific issues associated with your washing machine not running properly. We will consider some of those now.

Washer Not Turning On

adjusting the washer

A problem with a washer not turning on is an entirely different animal than any other washing machine issue. It can be something that is either internal or external.

The most common reason why a washer will not turn on is that it has been disconnected from the power supply. This can either happen through a user error, if the appliance was unplugged or it may happen unintentionally, such as if the circuit breaker has tripped or the power cord is damaged. Otherwise, it could be a problem with the control board.

The first thing we will do in this particular instance is to verify that you are getting power to the appliance. If you don’t have power, then the washer is not going to turn on.

Look at the control board and see if there are any lights lit. Also, push the buttons and if they make a noise or if the control panel lights up temporarily, then you do have power to the washer.

If that is the case, and you do have power to the washer, then you may be able to get by with a hard reset. This is not something that is built into the washer but it can be done easily and manually.

First of all, pull the washer away from the wall so you can access the receptacle. Unplug the washer from the receptacle. If you don’t have access to it, you can also turn off the circuit breaker.

It is important to wait at least five minutes after disconnecting the power before you reestablish power again. Doing so allows any residual energy in the control board to dissipate. It will also reset all settings to factory settings.

After the five minutes have elapsed, you can either plug in the washer or turn the circuit breaker on. After allowing adequate time for the machine to restart, it will be fully reset.

If a hard reset doesn’t work, or if there is no power to the unit, it’s time to identify why the power has been interrupted. Here are a few things to consider:

Circuit Breaker

Check the breaker panel and see if one of the breakers has tripped. It will be out of line with the other breakers and may have a red stripe down one side to indicate that it has tripped.

If the circuit breaker tripped, turn it off and back on again. That should reestablish power to the appliance. If it continues to trip, make sure you aren’t running anything else on the same circuit. You may need to call an electrician as this could be a potentially dangerous problem.

Receptacle

The receptacle for your washer is just a common 110 V receptacle. Like any other receptacle, it can fail from time to time.

Test the receptacle by plugging in another device, such as a lamp or a hairdryer. You can then test to see if you have power from the breaker panel to the receptacle. Replace the receptacle if necessary.

Power Cord

Visually inspect your power cord for any damage. If it is damaged or has become crushed or pinched, you should replace it before using your washer.

Extension Cords

Never use an extension cord to plug in your washing machine. A washer requires all of the energy that comes from the receptacle and an extension cord may limit how much is getting to the appliance.

Using an extension cord can cause the pump to overheat, which will keep it from working. It may also cause other issues that are better avoided by simply plugging the appliance directly into the wall.

Overloaded Circuit

This is something similar to using an extension cord. You should have a dedicated circuit for your washer or, at the very least, you should not run anything else on the circuit while the washer is running.

Washer Not Locking

Fixing the washer

Your washer door must latch before it begins running. If your washing machine lid won’t lock, then the machine won’t work.

The most common reason why a washer is not locking is due to the lid not latching properly. This could be a mechanical problem with the door lock or it may be an electrical issue that is stopping the latch from engaging. In either case, you should inspect the latch and if necessary, replace it.

A problem with the door latch is common in many washing machines. The primary reason why it happens is that people are a little too rough with the appliance. Slamming the door shut or dropping the lid to shut a top load washer will quickly cause harm to the latch.

The latch is important because it keeps the appliance from operating while the door is open. This safety feature can help you in many ways.

For example, putting your arm in the machine while the spin cycle is happening could easily break your arm or even worse. The switch keeps that from happening.

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on January 21, 2022.

It is relatively easy to replace the door latch and it will likely fix the problem within a matter of minutes. The real key is to be cautious with the latch and not slam the door shut any longer so it will last for a long time.

Washer Blinking/Flashing

Woman checking the washer

Are you seeing some lights on your washer that are flashing and blinking? This may be perfectly normal.

Flashing and blinking lights behind the washer control board are something that is often built into the design. They are internal lights that flash while the washer is operating. There is no reason to be concerned if it seems as if these internal lights are flashing unnecessarily.

On the other hand, if a flashing or blinking light shows up on the control panel, it may be something to be concerned about. Like error messages, flashing lights may sometimes indicate that there are problems with the appliance.

In some cases, it may be a sensor light that notifies you if there is a problem with the washer draining properly. This can be a real issue that could lead to flooding, so the flashing should not be ignored.

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on January 21, 2022.

In addition, some of the indicators on the control panel may flash when they are in progress or if they are finished running. In either of those cases, it is not of great concern but knowing what the flashing means can help put your mind at ease.

If your washer is not starting, the lid switch is the most common reason why. When the lid switch is failing or has broken, it will signal the machine that the door or lid is not closed. The washing machine will not start as a safety precaution.

Related Articles

Washer Stuck on a Step: Troubleshooting & How to Fix

Washer Not Working/Washer Problems

Washer Not Draining/Spinning

ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on January 21, 2022.

Washing Machine not Working