It’s time to do the washing. You place your clothes in the washer, turn it on, and are immediately treated to a strange buzzing noise. Not only that, but the washing machine will not fill up with water!
Experiencing something like this can be quite frustrating. Now not only will your clothes not get washed any time soon, but you also have to find the time to repair your washing machine. However, there is no need to panic. Sometimes, the problem can be easily solved without any professional help.
So, if you:
Then keep on reading! We will tell you the 6 most common reasons why your washing machine won’t fill up with water.
Before you start doing anything, unplug the washer and turn off the water supply! Prepare a towel or a bucket, as some water can come out when you detach the water supply hoses.
The main water supply to the washing machines is delivered through the fill (or inlet) hoses. They are usually located at the back of the appliance. Depending on the model of your washing machine, you might have only cold or hot and cold inlet hoses.
The first step is to make sure that water can travel freely through the hose. If your washing machine has been installed recently, check if the faucet at the water supply end is open.
Next, examine the hoses themselves. Sometimes, when a washing machine is pressed too close to the wall, the fill hoses can get squeezed. Make sure to untangle any kinks and eliminate any crimps.
Then, close the water supply faucet and unscrew the hose from both ends. This will allow you to examine the hose from the inside. Remember that there might still be some water inside, so keep a bucket or a towel nearby. Check the hose for any debris that might have clogged it.
When the hose is removed, you can gain access to the inside filter. This filter is called an inner valve screen. Its purpose is to catch debris. With time, the screen can get clogged. A very common sign of a clogged inner valve screen is a buzzing or banging sound when you turn on a program. Remove the filter by pulling it out with a pair of pliers and clean the debris off, if any.
Another common reason for washing machines not filling with water is the low water pressure in your plumbing system. When the pressure is unstable, the water will be delivered to your washing machine inconsistently, causing it to not fill properly. An obvious sign of this issue will be a humming sound that is different from the regular sound of the appliance when taking in water.
To examine the water flow in your pipes, follow these steps:
The reasons for low water pressure can be numerous – clogged pipes, corroded plumbing, too high water demand and more. To determine the scope of the problem, go through your home appliances and bathroom fixtures to see what the issue might be. If more than one fixture is not receiving enough water, then it might indicate a more serious problem.
Professional plumbers usually attach a pressure gauge to the end of a pipe to determine whether your plumbing equipment is malfunctioning and requires further examination and repair. However, if you would like to test your water pressure at home, check out our detailed guide on the topic.
When your washing machine starts pumping up the water from the main water supply, it goes from the fill hoses to the water inlet valve. This important detail controls the flow of the water in both wash and rinse cycles. So, if you experience a lack of water during one of the two cycles, the water inlet valve might be at fault.
The first step to identifying the potential problem is to locate the detail. The water inlet valve is positioned at the back of your washing machine, under the top lid with the threaded ports sticking outside. These ports connect to the hot and cold water hoses. If your washing machine uses cold water only, then the inlet valve will have one port.
The washing machine should be positioned in a way that you can easily interact with the back of your appliance and open the lid freely.
On the inside, the ports are connected to solenoid valves that are designed to control the hot and cold water intake. To check if this part of the water inlet valve has failed, you need to test the solenoids for continuity with a multimeter. If the tool shows zero resistance or the resistance is infinite, then you have a faulty water inlet valve and it needs to be replaced.
Each time the washing machine needs to be filled with water or emptied in-between the cycles, it is the pressure switch that tells the machine to activate these processes. If this part of your washing machine is malfunctioning, it might give a wrong signal to the control switch and the machine will not fill up.
The pressure switch is usually located inside the washing machine underneath the lid. If you look at the bottom of the drum, you will see a chamber connected to it and a hose leading up to the pressure switch. However, depending on the model of your washing machine, the location of the detail might vary. If you have difficulties finding it, refer to the manufacturer manual.
To identify any failures, you will need to inspect each part of the system.
An electrical failure in the pressure switch can cause your machine not to fill up properly, or even remain empty. You can test it with the help of a multimeter, which will tell you if the terminals of the pressure switch have continuity.
If you notice any malfunctions in the pressure switch, most likely it needs to be changed.
The selector switch allows you to choose the wash, rinse and spin settings. When you set the desired program, it sends a signal to the water inlet valve to open the hot and cold water inlets. If the selector switch is not powered or unable to transfer the signal, your washing machine won’t fill with water.
To test if your selector switch is damaged or worn out, you need to check the solenoids for continuity. Refer to the wiring schematic of your washing machine model to locate the selector switch wire connections that power the water inlet valve. Using a multimeter, test the terminals for continuity.
Some washing machine models will not start a program unless the door is locked. The door of your washer usually locks when you press the start button. If you look at the wiring schematic of such washing machines, the interlock is connected with the water inlet valve. Once you press the start button, the interlock signals to the inlet valve that the door is fixed and the filling can start. Sometimes, the door lock can fail mechanically or electrically and prevent your washing machine from filling.
When something like that happens, usually the following signs give away the problem:
If you suspect your interlock to be at fault, it needs to be tested with a multimeter for electrical continuity. The results will show whether the detail should be replaced or if there is something else that’s interfering with the proper filling of your washing machine.
If the phrase “set your multimeter at the times 1 position” doesn’t make sense to you, then you might want to opt for professional help to solve the broken appliance mystery. The technicians at Fantastic Services will repair your washing machine with the utmost care and save you from wasting your precious time figuring out what is causing the problem.
The service will begin with diagnostics of your appliance and identifying the culprit behind the issue. If the engineers don’t have the detail on them, an additional visit will be arranged. But worry not, you don’t need to waste your time searching for the spare part, the experts will do that for you! Washing machine specialists can take care of washers of any type and brand, too. Whether it is Beko, Indesit or Zanussi, they will find the best solution for your problem. So, what are you waiting for? Book your washing machine repair service, today!
If you are still keen on finding the issue on your own first, you can further check our blog and take advantage of guides on the most common error codes that occur. We cover all major brands that are sold in the UK like Candy, NEFF, AEG, Electrolux, BUSH, Samsung and more.
Find a professional to take care of your property.
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