The washing machine turns off during washing: reasons

The washing machine turning off on its own during the washing process is rare, but it does happen. There are a large number of reasons for the unit to turn off, but the first thing to do is to restart the unit - turn it off for a few seconds, then turn it on again. If such manipulation does not give a positive result, then detailed diagnostics of the washing machine is necessary.

Often, before shutting down, an error code appears on the display of the control unit, which indicates the reason for the shutdown. Don’t panic in such situations - contact our service center, qualified specialists will help you diagnose and fix the problem.

Possible causes of malfunction

When the machine is turned off during the washing period, the entry “Error code” appears on the electronic display; it is by this that it is possible to find a malfunction of the machine. In almost 90% of breakdowns, the same malfunction is the main cause. The problem still lies within and must be solved.

It’s worth figuring out what exactly makes the machine stop, and what the reasons are.

List of typical faults:

The drum is overloaded with laundry.
Items placed in the machine are folded incorrectly.
Electrical problems.
The electronic control unit is faulty.
Activation of the protection system against possible leaks.
The lock doesn't work.
Unlocking the door during operation.
Damage to the engine, heating element or drain pump.

Also, a number of breakdowns include problems with drain or fill valves, that is, insufficient water does not flow into the drum and is not drained.

Reasons for turning off the washing machine

The most common problems that lead to the washing machine turning off can be considered:

Failure in the installed washing program (occurs due to a breakdown in the control module);
Drum overload (the machine may turn off due to the fact that the engine power is not enough to rotate the drum with too much weight);
The wrong washing program has been set;
The lock is broken, resulting in the loading hatch door not closing;
The protection system is activated, which notifies you when water enters the pan;
Failure of one of the main components of the unit (heating element, motor, pump).
Clogged water supply and drainage systems.

To eliminate the breakdown, it is necessary to accurately determine the cause of the malfunction.

About blockage, overload and malfunction of the drum

One of the common reasons why the washing unit turns off is incorrect placement of items in the tank.

The discrepancies are as follows:

The amount of laundry stored exceeds the maximum permissible limit. Before using the machine, you must carefully read the operating instructions. Not everyone does this. To begin with, you should pay attention to what maximum permissible kilograms the unit is designed for. If it is designed to wash no more than 5 kg of clothes, then it will not be able to load 5.5 kg. If the washing equipment has a built-in “weighing” option, the machine will not start at all. This built-in function will not allow the engine to start.

Incorrect placement of items in the drum. If the laundry is not placed correctly in the drum, the washing machine may also stop. For example, a bunch of socks were simultaneously stuffed into the duvet cover, which twisted and formed a large lump. It stops during rotation, and the washing process ends.
Things were not pre-sorted; late model cars are especially sensitive to this.

A blockage is also an important reason for the unit to turn off during operation; the place where it occurred is not immediately determined.

There are several options:

in the drain hose;
in the pump;
in a sewer pipe;
in plum;
in the filter.

Cleaning the filter is not difficult, just spend 10 minutes and the task will be completed. But when a blockage appears in the sewer system, the water will not leave on its own not only from the washing container, but also from the sink or toilet. There are unique household chemicals available for this purpose. But in case there is no help from them, it is best to use the services of a plumber.

You can clean a forgotten hose yourself. First you need to remove it and to do this you will need a screwdriver. After unscrewing the clamps, disconnect from the unit and then from the siphon. Use a rope or wire to punch a hole, rinse with hot water and put the hose in place.

If there is a blockage in the drain or in the tank, the washing machine also turns off. In this case, the best solution would be to invite repairmen. Doing the work yourself is unlikely to give proper results.

Clogged water supply systems

As a result of long-term operation, debris may accumulate in the water supply systems of the washing machine; in addition, small objects that fall into the drum along with the laundry can clog the filters and pipes. First of all, you need to check:

Drain hose. To remove the blockage, you should run water under high pressure;
Pump. To clean and repair the pump, it is advisable to contact a specialist, since such repair work requires a thorough disassembly of the washing machine;
Sewer drain. To clean sewer pipes, you should use a special product or call a specialist;
Drain filter. It is located under the loading hatch and can be easily dismantled. You should remove the bottom panel and unscrew the filter, then clean it;
Water supply hose. Move the machine aside and remove the hose located on the back wall. Also check the filter, it is represented by a small mesh.

After removing the blockage, you can start the washing machine as usual.

Incorrectly set mode or electronics problem

The most common reason for a unit to stop is an incorrectly set program mode. This happens due to the fact that the owners do not carefully read the operating instructions. The manufacturer, as a rule, describes everything in detail. So if a problem arises regarding this, you need to re-read the contents of the instructions.

For example, if you set the mode to soak and then bleach, the unit will stop in the middle of the wash. Therefore, you cannot do this at the same time.

If problems arise with electronics or electrical equipment, you must contact service. The specialist has all the instruments to determine the serviceability of the elements.

Minor problems

The fact that the washing machine turns off during washing may have several unimportant reasons that can be easily eliminated. However, they are often difficult to detect because their manifestations are not always obvious.

Drum overload

The most common reason that the device turns off a short time after pressing the “start” button is that the user has put too many things. Each model has a maximum weight that must not be exceeded. Please note that it is indicated for cotton clothing. If you plan to wash woolen items, you cannot add the same amount of laundry. It should be reduced, because such fabrics absorb much more water.

The washing machine may shut down due to the drum being overloaded due to imbalance, even if the weight is not exceeded. If you plan to wash 1-2 heavy items, they need to be carefully straightened. You can’t put them in a “clump”.

Problems with electricity or water supply

The fact that the machine stopped working during washing may have reasons not directly related to the device. This situation is possible if the water supply was cut off or the electricity was cut off.

In a situation where there has been no water for several minutes, the cycle will spontaneously start. If more time has passed, then after the problem is resolved, the user must press the device start button again. It will drain the water from the drum and start the cycle again.

Even if the user did not notice that the power was turned off or there were interruptions in the water supply, he should try to start the machine again. This situation may have been short-lived, but led to a work stoppage.

Wrong program selection

On models that offer a large number of programs and additional washing parameters, situations are possible when the user sets an incompatible combination of functions.

For example, some washing machines may turn off when the prewash and bleach modes are selected.

This will not happen immediately after startup, but when the first stage of the cycle is completed and the device proceeds to the next operation, which contradicts the previous one.

The door does not lock and the leakage protection does not work

Not all modern washing units have protection against possible leaks. This ensures protection of hoses, units or pipes, without water leaking onto the floor. Flooding of the lower floors can be avoided, but the machine will also not wash until the problem is fixed.

If the reason is a torn hose, then changing it is not difficult, but if it needs to be cleaned, then you need to prepare the cable and rinse it with a stream of hot water.

If the hatch cover does not lock, then you need to invite a service center specialist. The hatch covers of inexpensive washing machines are equipped with a rubber O-ring. To close the lid tightly, you just need to press it until you hear a click. The edges of the cuff are also treated with sandpaper with a fine grain fraction, this will remove burrs and there will be no interference with successful closing.

There is an imbalance

Modern LG automatic machines are equipped with a convenient sensor for weighing laundry placed in the drum. If the weight allowed by the manufacturer is exceeded, the equipment will display the corresponding error code or simply turn off.

In addition, when filling the drum with things, clothes should be evenly distributed over its inner surface. Otherwise, the laundry will form one continuous lump, which, in turn, will cause the drum to become unbalanced and the washing machine to spontaneously turn off.

In addition to the imbalance caused, overloading the machine can lead to failure of the shock absorbers and stretching of the springs holding the drum.

That is why it is necessary to observe the maximum loading weight of the washing machine and correctly lay out the laundry inside the drum.

If the drain pump, motor or heating element breaks down

Why does the machine turn off at the most inopportune moment? At the most unnecessary moment, malfunctions occur, especially when a large amount of laundry needs to be washed. The machine stops working and an error message appears on the electronic display.

Repairing an engine can be expensive, and if you replace it, the cost will be the same as buying a new unit. Such critical spare parts should only be replaced by a specialist.

If you need to replace a heating element or hose, then such work will cost less. But in any case, it is worth getting advice from an experienced repairman.

Troubleshooting Tips

If the washing unit stops working, it must be disconnected from the power supply. In this case, the door will automatically unlock and will not need to be opened. Water will spill onto the floor at this time, so it is recommended to place a rag. Water can also be discharged into the sewer system through a hose; some models have this option.

List of tips:

If the drum is designed to hold 5 kg, then you should not put more things in it than this limit. Moreover, wet fabric weighs more. Therefore, you should load a kilogram less than required. With a built-in weighing function, the machine itself will not work, and the reason will be obvious.
If any breakdowns occur in electronics, it is best to use after-sales services.
If the door does not open and is blocked, you should call a specialist.
If the heating element, tank or drain pump breaks down, the weight sensor should be checked for serviceability; replacing the latter will be much cheaper than completely changing the main structural elements.
If the thermostat and other elements are broken, they must be replaced immediately, since they are in a common circuit.
A malfunction of the board leads to a shutdown when rinsing clothes or a disruption in the drainage of waste water. Although the washing process goes well, the end is not successful.
If washing modes are not switched in a timely manner, then you should consult a specialist.

If you follow the basic recommendations, you can use the washing unit for a long time.

Short circuit to one of the nodes

Often the reason for the spontaneous shutdown of ElG washing machines is an unexpected breakdown of some critical element of the system. For example, if the heating element malfunctions, the water drawn into the tank will not be able to heat up according to the specified parameters, but will be either cold or brought to a boil. Having detected overheating, the temperature sensor will automatically work and turn off the equipment.

If the electric motor is damaged, the washing machine will operate uncontrollably. In this case, you can note too fast, or, conversely, slow drum revolutions. A breakdown of the drain pump can be easily determined at the stage of draining the waste liquid into the sewer.

If water leaves the tank for more than 10 minutes, we can talk about clogging of the pump, drain hose, or permanent breakdown of the pump.

Recommendations for the selection and operation of equipment

A washing machine can last 10 years or more if handled properly.

When purchasing, you must take into account the warranty and service life. If it is guaranteed that it can be used for five years without breakdowns, then this should alert the buyer, since the warranty is given for the same period. That is, after this time has passed, the machine will completely stop working.
If the power of the machine is quite high, then even under such positive circumstances the drum should not be overloaded. The power must clearly correspond to the operating parameters. If the load is within normal limits, but the machine turns off, then this indicates that the power indicator was not originally designed for such a volume.
It is better to prepare the washing unit for connection earlier. When calculating the work of an electrician to turn on a microwave or kettle, the machine will never start the drum. In this case, her efforts will only be enough to turn it on. To ensure power supply, it is necessary to install a distribution panel. It is recommended to separate the electricity supply from living areas and bathrooms.
Check the connection of the pipes to the water supply before purchasing; they must be closely adjacent to avoid leaks. If in doubt, it is better to call a specialist.
Everything else depends on the configuration of the washing unit. The technical device must be carefully inspected before purchase.

Models with an average power rating are most preferable. It is also important to take into account that not all units from foreign manufacturers will fit Russian standards and can be installed in residential premises without problems; many of them will require special connectors and grounding conductors. In this regard, it is necessary to carefully analyze which technique to choose so that unnecessary problems do not arise.