A washer that won't start is usually missing power, locked at the controls, or waiting on a lid or door it doesn't think is closed. First check whether the panel lights up at all, because a dark panel and a lit panel that ignores you point to different causes.
In this post:
- •The outlet has no power
- •The control lock is on
- •The lid or door isn't latched
- •Start wasn't pressed the way the washer expects
- •The controls need a reset after a power interruption
- •The lid switch or door lock has failed
- •The control board or keypad has failed
1. The outlet has no power
Washers run on a standard 120-volt outlet, and laundry outlets are often protected by a GFCI or a breaker that may have tripped.
How to tell: The panel is completely dark, and a lamp plugged into the same outlet doesn't work either.
What to do: Make sure the plug is fully seated, press Reset on any nearby GFCI, and reset a tripped breaker once. If it trips again, leave it off and call an electrician.
2. The control lock is on
A child or control lock disables the buttons so nobody starts a cycle by accident.
How to tell: A lock icon or light is on, and the buttons beep or do nothing.
What to do: Hold the lock button, or the button pair your manual names, for about three seconds. The buttons vary by model.
3. The lid or door isn't latched
Washers won't start until they confirm the lid or door is shut.
How to tell: A door or lid light blinks, or the washer clicks once and stops.
What to do: Close the door firmly and check for a sock or sleeve caught in the seal. On a top-loader, make sure nothing is keeping the lid from closing all the way.
4. Start wasn't pressed the way the washer expects
Many newer washers want Power, then a cycle, then Start, and some need Start held for a second or two. A delay-start setting can also look like a washer that's ignoring you.
How to tell: The cycle shows but nothing happens, or a countdown appears instead of a run time.
What to do: Cancel, clear any delay, and start again following the steps in your manual.
5. The controls need a reset after a power interruption
Electronic controls can freeze after a flicker, a surge or an outage.
How to tell: The trouble started after an outage, a windy night or a planned shutoff, and the panel acts strangely or won't respond.
What to do: Unplug the washer for a minute, or switch off its breaker, then restore power and try again. For outage planning, see how to get your appliances ready for a power shutoff.
6. The lid switch or door lock has failed
These parts tell the control board the door is shut. When one fails, the washer acts as if the door is always open.
How to tell: The door closes normally but the lock never clicks, or the washer shows a door or lock error. Codes vary by model.
What to do: Book a technician to test and replace the switch or lock.
7. The control board or keypad has failed
The board runs every function, and the keypad is the layer of buttons on top of it. Either can fail with age or after a surge.
How to tell: Some buttons respond and others don't, the display flickers, or the washer stays dead even though the outlet works.
What to do: Write down any code on the display and have the board and keypad diagnosed.
When a technician is the better call
If the outlet works, the lock is off and the door latches but the washer still won't start, the lid switch, door lock or control is the likely cause. Our washer repair technicians can test each part. Anything behind the panels stays with a pro.
Marco's advice: Plug a lamp into the washer's outlet before you do anything else. It settles the power question right away and keeps you from chasing a control problem that isn't there.
Washer still not responding? Call ProFix LA at (818) 334-4526.