Fix Washing Machine: Common Problems, Quick Fixes, and When to Call a Pro

When your washing machine, a household appliance designed to clean clothes automatically using water and detergent. Also known as a laundry washer, it’s one of the most used devices in your home—and one of the first to break down when something goes wrong. Stops spinning, won’t drain, or leaks water, it’s not just inconvenient—it’s a daily hassle. You don’t need to buy a new one right away. Most washing machine problems are fixable, often for under £100, and sometimes without even calling a technician.

Common issues like a clogged pump filter, a worn-out drive belt, or a faulty door lock are easy to spot if you know what to look for. Many people assume a noisy washer means it’s time for replacement, but often it’s just a loose drum or a broken shock absorber. If your machine fills with water but won’t spin, it’s probably a lid switch or motor coupling issue. These aren’t mysterious tech failures—they’re normal wear-and-tear problems that happen to every machine eventually. A washer pump, a small motor-driven component that moves water in and out of the drum can get blocked by coins or socks. A drive belt, a rubber loop that connects the motor to the drum can snap after years of use. And if your washer won’t start at all, check the door interlock, a safety switch that prevents the machine from running unless the door is fully closed. These parts aren’t expensive, and replacing them doesn’t always need a pro.

But here’s the catch: not every problem is DIY-friendly. If the control board is fried, the motor is dead, or the drum bearings have seized, you’re looking at a bigger repair—or maybe a new machine. That’s where knowing the signs matters. A loud grinding noise during spin? That’s often the drum bearings. Water leaking from the bottom? Could be a cracked tub or a failing seal. The machine fills but doesn’t agitate? Could be the motor coupler or transmission. These aren’t guesses—they’re patterns we see every day in Taunton homes. The good news? Most of these issues are covered in the guides below. You’ll find step-by-step checks for drainage problems, spin cycle failures, and error codes you didn’t even know existed. Whether you want to fix it yourself or just know what to ask a technician, this collection gives you the facts—not fluff.