Washing Machine Not Starting – Common Reasons & Solutions

washing machine not starting

There is never a good time for your washing machine to stop working.

But when it does, there is endless guesswork as to what the problem may be.

And… even if you know the problem, is it something that you can fix yourself?

In this guide, we will explore why your washing machine may not be starting as well as offer you some tips and tricks on how you can fix the problem at home in the safest possible manner.

Let’s get started.

Why is my washing machine receiving power but not starting?

Cause #1. Faulty Door Locking Mechanism

Modern washing machines come with lots of safety features to keep you and your family safe.

If your washing machine door locking mechanism is faulty, the washing machine will not start the cycle to protect you from an accidental flood.

If you think that your door locking mechanism is faulty, inspect the door handle and internal door lock.

The door handle should not be wobbly and the internal door lock should be held in place firmly without visible damage.

To test if your washing machine door lock is engaging properly, you can start a regular washing machine cycle and wait for a click.

The click should be heard within a few minutes after you have pressed the start button.

If you don’t hear a click, and you can freely open the door several minutes after you have started the cycle, it is a clear indication that your washing machine isn’t locking the door properly.

You may need to replace the door handle, door lock or both.

Cause #2. Drainage Problem

As you might know, every function in your washing machine is interlinked.

This means that if your washing machine cannot drain properly, it will once again not start your favourite cycle for safety purposes.

You should ensure that your washing machine filter is nice and clean and if the problem persists, you may have a faulty pump.

Cause #3. Faulty Control Board / PCB

When your control board or PCB fails, you might find that your appliance does random things.

For example, it might change the timings on your washing machine screen, however, it can also just not start any cycles.

Control board malfunctions can be difficult to diagnose, and we would generally recommend contacting a professional to help you with this.

Cause #4. Water Supply Issues

When your washing machine starts a cycle, one of the first things that it will do is take in fresh water.

If your machine cannot do this, it will not start the cycle, even though it will be receiving power.

You should check that:

  • Your inlet hose is clean and properly attached.
  • Your inlet valve is clean and properly connected.


If unsure, you can always contact a professional for an efficient and reliable repair.

Why does my washing machine not receive power at all?

Cause #1. Faulty Socket/Plug

If your socket/plug is faulty, your washing machine will not turn on at all. 

Remember that working with electricity on your own can be dangerous if you’re not experienced.

Because of this, we would recommend contacting a professional to help if you believe that this is the fault with your product.

However, if you feel confident enough to take a look, ensure that your socket and plug both have no burnt marks on them.

Cause #2. Faulty Wiring

Just like anything, with time, it can develop faults.

Your washing machine’s internal wiring can become faulty with time and may cause your washing machine to not start at all.

For this, we once again recommend contacting a professional, as they will be able to help repair your product quickly and reliably.

Cause #3. Faulty Control Board / PCB

As previously mentioned, a faulty control board or PCB can cause your washing machine to receive power, but not start a cycle.

Likewise, it can also cause your washing machine to not receive power at all.

We would still recommend contacting a professional if you believe your control board or PCB is faulty.

How much does it cost to repair?

Depending on the exact reasoning behind the problem, the cost of repair can vary from machine to machine.

If you decide to work with a professional, the initial diagnostics may cost you between £30 and £60.

Once the exact problem is identified, you may be looking at an extra £30 to £60 for the repair.

If parts are required, depending on the part, the final fee can increase drastically.

For example, a replacement water pump may only cost you £40 however, a replacement motor can cost as much as £150.

We recommend checking out our washing machine repair cost guide for a better breakdown of possible costs.

When should I seek professional help?

You should seek professional help for any washing machine problem that you’re not confident in doing yourself.

Most problems are easy to fix.

However, problems with your machine that are associated with electricity and small parts may require help from an expert.

We recommend choosing a local appliance repair provider where possible for a high-quality repair. 

Conclusion

In this blog, we have discussed the different reasons why your washing machine may be receiving power but not starting. In addition to this, we have explored why your washing machine may not be receiving power at all.

By reading this guide, you should now have a better understanding of the problem, and hopefully be able to take the next step towards the repair.

But if you’re still not able to find a solution to your problem, it’s advisable to seek help from professional appliance repair experts in London.

And what better way than to seek help from Georgi’s Services?

We highly recommend checking out our prices too.

And if you need a washing machine repair, you can contact us right away.