Automatic washing machines are carefully designed by the developers to work for a long time and withstand thousands of washes. Many families resort to using these devices every day, sometimes several times in a row. But despite the inherent reliability in the production of household products, their parts and components are subject to wear.
After several years of operation, some heavily loaded unit fails and visible problems appear in the operation of the machine. Due to frequent loads of large amounts of laundry and improper installation of the device, mechanical malfunctions appear. If there is a mechanical problem, the machine continues to wash as usual, but makes strange noises.
And if the program in the washing machine has gone wrong, it means that the electrical parts have also failed. But if there are any signs of improper operation of the device, it must be immediately diagnosed and repaired. If this is not done, then the malfunction will not disappear on its own, but, on the contrary, will entail others.
This happens because all the parts and components of the machine work interconnectedly. When some parts break down, others are subject to rapid wear. Therefore, from time to time you need to observe the work of your assistant, pay attention to the time and quality of washing, extraneous noise and vibrations.
Running the diagnostic program
Modern household appliances from famous brands, in particular any new model of the Indesit washing machine, have a built-in self-diagnosis program. In this mode, the control module queries all components and assemblies of the washing machine and displays an error message. This method may not always answer the question of why a failure occurs, but it is worth using.
How to enter this mode is described in detail in the instructions; the procedure directly depends on the manufacturer and brand of the device. For example, in modern Samsung models, to do this you need to hold down the “Rinse” and “Temperature” buttons and turn on the power.
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Typically, testing is completed quickly. If problems are detected during operation, an error code will be displayed. All that remains is to decipher it and make a decision on further repairs.
How to turn on the washing machine
Before starting work, you need to check the connection of the machine to the electrical network, prepare things for loading, having previously separated light, dark and colored laundry, which must be washed separately. The total volume of things must correspond to the nominal value of the unit: in no case should the drum be filled to the limit. Also pay attention to the fabric of the products; you can only wash items made from the same type of fabric at the same time.
Loading washing powder
Washing powder must be loaded into a special powder compartment, which usually consists of three compartments:
- The left one is for the main wash.
- The right one is for pre-washing.
- Medium - for air conditioning.
This conditional distribution is typical for most brands of devices. If you want to clarify this information, please refer to the operating instructions specifically for your model.
Where to put powder in the washing machine
Emollient compartment
Advice! When adding washing powder, it is important to follow the dosage indicated on the packaging. There is an opinion that the more powder you add, the better the quality of things. However, if there is an excess of it, the laundry, on the contrary, is poorly rinsed; stains and white stains may remain, which can subsequently affect the development of allergies.
Loading laundry into the drum
Before loading items sorted by color and material, carefully arrange them so that they do not lie in a lump. Thus, the washing and spinning process will be of better quality. After this, close the device door tightly.
Selecting a washing mode
The operating mode (program) is selected either by pressing a mechanical or touch button, or by rotating the switch, the pointer of which is directed to a specific mode. Some models of automatic machines combine both types of control.
The device can have the following washing programs, depending on the type of fabric and intensity:
- fast;
- careful;
- delicate;
- manual;
- casual;
- Clothing for babies;
- cotton;
- synthetics;
- wool and others.
Modes and functions in the washing machine
Determining the washing temperature
The temperature range is set from 30˚C to 95˚C. Do not focus solely on choosing the maximum temperature; follow these recommendations:
- the temperature is selected based on the degree of contamination of things; if you just need to refresh your laundry, just select a minimum temperature of 30˚C or 40˚C;
- Synthetics are best washed at a temperature between 40-60˚C;
- It is recommended to wash bed linen and bath accessories at maximum temperature.
Selecting the spin intensity of the laundry
The spin intensity is set by the number of revolutions per minute. The better the spin, the less moisture will remain in things, and they will dry much faster.
Important! For delicate items, you need to choose the minimum spin intensity. And it is better not to wring out particularly delicate fabrics (silk, chiffon) in the machine at all.
Starting the washing process
The automatic machine starts by pressing the “On” button.
The cycle itself starts when you press the “Start” button, which, as we have already found out, can also combine the “Pause” function. If the process starts successfully, if there is an indicator, the washing time will be displayed on it. Modern units are equipped with a delayed start function, which is very convenient. For example, you can set a time to turn on the device while you are away from home, so that your clothes have time to be washed when you arrive. Or you can set the start time to 5 am so that the washing machine will finish working when you wake up in the morning, and you can pull out the already clean clothes.
End of cycle
When the operation is completed, the device will stop and a corresponding sound signal will sound.
After thirty seconds, the door lock will unlock and you will be able to remove the washed items. If the door does not open, this will indicate some kind of breakdown of the device. For general care of your car, wipe the drum and rubber seal on the door frame with a dry cloth, as this is where a lot of water often accumulates. To dry the drum compartment and prevent the formation of mold and mildew spores, leave the door slightly open.
Watch a video about resetting a SAMSUNG washing machine program
A heating element
Freezing of the washing machine and failure of program settings can occur due to a malfunction of the heating element. Because the control unit sets the required water temperature for a certain washing mode, but the heating element does not execute the command. To get to the heating element, it is necessary to dismantle the back wall and conduct a visual inspection.
If the heating element has a large amount of scale, then the best solution would be to replace it.
Drying function
A washing machine with dryer is a godsend for residents of big cities. If in a village or town you can dry your laundry right on the street, then in a big city there are problems with this. Not every apartment has a balcony on which you can stretch ropes. In addition, if there is a highway near the house, it is not advisable to dry clothes, especially children’s clothes, on the street.
Due to its design, a washer-dryer takes up a little more space than a regular one. The device is equipped with two heating elements, one of which heats water, and the second heats air. The only negative is that you won’t be able to dry everything that has been washed in one go. For drying, the load should be half as much.
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The washing machine with drying function is equipped with special modes. You can set the process of drying clothes by time or by residual moisture. The second option is more convenient. You can leave your clothes slightly damp to make them easier to iron (Iron mode). Or dry it completely to immediately put it in the closet. Also, many models have programs for different types of fabric, which provide for changing the temperature of the hot air.
Child lock function
Everyone knows how interesting household appliances can be for small children. But nevertheless, you shouldn’t let them near it, nor should you let them switch modes. Fortunately, washing machines are often manufactured with the ability to lock the controls to protect them from children. For example, the KWM 57T1490 model allows you to turn on the protective function and block any change in parameters, except turning off the washing machine, until the mode is turned off. A very convenient opportunity for families with children.
How to properly reboot the machine
Before restarting the product, carefully study the instructions for your particular washing machine model, since each brand of machine has its own design features and certain methods for urgent stopping. We will look at general recommendations for properly rebooting the machine.
How to stop the program: options
Most washing machines have two unified options for urgently resetting the installed program.
First option
If the “Start” button in the unit also serves as the “Pause” button, then you need to press it once to stop the wash and wait a couple of seconds.
After this, the door lock should unlock. Now you can load additional laundry into the drum or take out an item that accidentally got into it, forgotten in your pocket. Before opening the door, make sure there is no water inside, otherwise it will spill out. Healthy! If water has already accumulated in the washing machine, drain it manually using the drain filter (a small hatch at the bottom of the machine).
Second option
By pressing the "Start/Pause" button, the program is completely reset. In this case, turning off is not done by pressing it once, but by holding the button for a long time (5-6 seconds). Further events will develop depending on the modification of your device:
- in more modern models, after holding the “Start/Pause” button for a long time, the machine will drain the water on its own and the door will unlock;
- In older models, automatic drainage of water is not provided; it must also be drained manually through a drain filter.
Press and hold for 5-6 seconds.
Why do you need to reset the program correctly?
Many users believe that the problem of urgent work stoppage can be solved by simply disconnecting the device from the electrical network. Yes, this will allow you to turn off the washing machine, but the previously selected mode may not be reset, since often automatic machines “remember” the last settings and will start them again after turning them on. In addition, due to a sudden disconnection from the network, an important part of the unit - the control board - is at high risk of breakdown.
If the power is out
In the event of a sudden power outage, first of all, disconnect the device from the network. To do this, you need to remove the cord from the outlet so that the washing machine is not subject to a sudden voltage drop.
When the power supply is restored, plug the device into the mains. If the previously installed program has not been reset, the automatic machine will simply continue to operate. Some models will drain the water when turned on and stop washing. In this case, you will need to select the desired mode again and start it.
Internal failure
If the unit suddenly fails, it is necessary to find out what kind of problem arose: software or mechanical.
If the software fails, the control panel is locked and the buttons do not respond to pressing. Try unplugging the machine for 15-20 minutes to reboot the control unit, then turn it on and try to run the program again. Recommendation! To return the automatic machine to its factory settings, you may need the help of an electronics technician; do not try to cope with this task yourself without the appropriate training.
