Published: 20 Dec 2020
You threw things into the washing machine, turned on the wash and forgot about it for a while, because the automatic equipment does not require attention until the end of the work. But this time, when you went to the washing machine to take out and hang up the clean clothes, you discovered that the washing machine had frozen.
The washing machine can stop at any time, both at the beginning and at the end of the wash; it can stop during rinsing or when it starts spinning. In most cases, equipment owners turn to us for help when the SMA freezes during the spin cycle.
When the washing machine is working properly
Stopping a machine with laundry is unpleasant, but often the reason for the machine getting stuck on the spin cycle is not related to a breakdown. Our inattention or forgetfulness causes us to stop. Here are the main reasons that you can deal with on your own.
No spin program with water stop selected
On programs for delicate fabrics, the machine washes without spinning by default. Depending on the type of program, it may drain the tank or leave things in the water. In the second case, the washing machine hangs on the spin cycle and waits for the drain to be started manually.
HOW TO FIX
Check which program you have chosen. Turn on the drain or spin the items at minimum speed if this does not damage the fabric. Switch the program after the previous wash. Otherwise, the machine will stop again without spinning.
The machine is overloaded with laundry
Loading rates are indicated in the instructions. They differ for different programs and types of fabric. If you put in more items than you need, the machine will wash them, but will not be able to spin them. If the tank is overloaded, protection will be activated to protect parts from unnecessary vibration and damage.
HOW TO FIX
Take some of the things out of the tank and wring them out in two approaches. Next time, load the laundry without exceeding the weight of the laundry for the selected program.
Unbalanced laundry in the drum
The machine does not spin if it fails to distribute the weight of the laundry evenly throughout the drum. As in the case of overload, protection against unnecessary drum shaking is triggered here, and possibly an error message pops up. Therefore, it is not recommended to wash single items such as pillows or small fleecy rugs. They absorb a lot of water and become very heavy, so they begin to hang around the drum when revving up.
Imbalance also appears due to crumpled laundry. For example, small items love to dive into duvet covers. You can wash the lump, but it is difficult to wring out. The machine tries to unravel the lump, but fails and freezes.
HOW TO FIX
Load the machine with items of approximately the same weight so that they are evenly distributed throughout the drum and do not bunch up. You can add a towel to pairs of single pillows or rugs. It is better to wash large bed linens separately from small ones and not mix them with other oversized items.
What to do first?
When your LG washing machine freezes, you need to make sure that the cause is not a user error . For the simplest analysis, disassembling the apparatus and special knowledge is not required.
Tank overload
Stuck in the wash cycle, or more often in the spin cycle, can occur when the drum is overloaded.
This situation may arise if the items sent to the drum are compact in size, but at the same time quite heavy.
During the washing process, the LG automatic machine itself cannot distribute them evenly in the drum, and the cycle freezes. If there is a suspicion of overload, you need to remove some of the things and then continue to operate the washing machine.
Mode selection
The user has the opportunity to select a mode from a wide range, and, in addition, additionally make his own settings, canceling, for example, spin or drain.
If the washing was carried out on delicate items, wool, etc., then the output of the product may be noticeably wet. This gives the impression that there has been a freeze and stop in operation. The remaining water in the tank can be drained by selecting the “drain” mode separately .
Imbalance of things in the drum
If the operation of the LG washing machine has stalled, you need to make sure that all the laundry is not collected in one lump. Often this situation occurs when washing bed linen, when absolutely all the items end up inside the duvet cover or pillowcase. Stopping work and laying things out manually will help solve the problem.
The use of laundry bags can prevent this situation in the future. It is better to place, for example, a duvet cover in them.
The washing machine freezes while washing - possible reasons
Most often, the machine stops washing due to problems with the supply, heating or draining of water. We have already discussed such moments in previous articles.
- If the washing machine freezes without filling the tank, see the article Why the washing machine does not fill with water. The main reason is a malfunction of the water supply valve.
- If the machine has washed and stopped with water, refuses to rinse and spin, then see the article Why the washing machine does not drain the water. The main reason is the failure of the drain pump.
- When the washing machine freezes 10–15 minutes after starting and does not heat the water, read the article Why the washing machine does not heat the water. The most common breakdown is a failed heating element. The problem can be easily identified by the cold glass of the sunroof.
Here are other problems that can cause your washing machine to freeze while washing.
The water level sensor has failed - from RUB 1,500*
Without the pressure switch readings, the machine “does not understand” the water level in the tank, so the washing process stops and the machine freezes. In models of washing machines with a screen, a level sensor error may appear on the display.
Failure of the pressure switch is usually associated with three reasons:
- contamination of the compression chamber, for this reason incorrect pressure “comes” to the sensor membrane, and the sensor incorrectly determines the amount of water in the tank;
- problems with the pressure switch tube: it falls off, gets clogged or rubs due to vibrations;
- failure of the sensor itself, the contacts inside of which stick or burn.
HOW TO FIX
The pressure sampling chamber must be cleaned of contaminants. The pressure switch hose should be put back on, cleaned or replaced with a new one. If the sensor itself breaks down, it needs to be replaced.
Engine brushes are worn out - from RUB 1,300*
Brushes are an element of a commutator motor that drives the rotor. Due to constant friction, the embers wear off and contact is lost. First, the machine hangs on the spin cycle, never picking up speed, then it stops spinning the drum during the wash cycle. Worn brushes can also be accompanied by sparking and rattling noise from the motor as the drum rotates. The reason for this is poor contact of worn brushes with the commutator. An engine error code may appear on the display in washing machines with a display.
HOW TO FIX
The old brushes must be removed and new ones installed.
The control unit (electronic controller) is acting up - from RUB 1,800*
Although the control unit has a large margin of reliability, sometimes it fails. Power surges, shaking, humidity or water ingress render smart electronics unusable. The tracks in the motor circuit oxidize or the radio components of the controller burn out. In some cases, the firmware crashes. As a result, the washing machine stops spinning the drum and freezes.
HOW TO FIX
The master tests the control board and, if the firmware fails, reprograms the module. The damaged board will have to be repaired or replaced with a new one. Repairs can be made if the cause is oxidized or burnt tracks, contacts or radio components. If the processor fails, the unit is completely replaced.
The tachometer (Hall sensor) has failed - from RUB 1,800*
It is responsible for controlling the engine rotation speed and connecting the control unit with the motor. If the Hall sensor is faulty, the control module “does not understand” at what speed the drum is rotating, so it stops the program and reports an error.
HOW TO FIX
First of all, you should check the wiring and contacts from the sensor to the motor and from the motor to the control unit. Sometimes the sensor magnet simply unwinds and needs to be tightened. A faulty tachogenerator must be replaced.
* Prices are for labor only; spare parts used for repairs are paid additionally.
Study the symptom carefully
We agree that a car that brakes repeatedly is an alarming symptom. But this is not a reason to panic; on the contrary, if the error is repeated, it is easier to collect data and clarify the manifestations of the malfunction. It is recommended to take a paper and note some points.
- At what minute does Indesit freeze? You should notice when the braking occurs - at the beginning of the rinse cycle or at the end, closer to the spin cycle.
- How often does the machine freeze: every wash or periodically?
- How does the machine behave when stopped: freezes and does not move or periodically turns the drum.
- Whether the unit managed to collect water for rinsing or not.
- During a stop, does the system respond to user commands or does the rotation of the programmer not respond to the board.
All of the above factors are very important. For an accurate diagnosis, it is recommended to note all the associated nuances. We will tell you below what each symptom indicates and what to do next.
Why does the washing machine freeze while rinsing - major breakdowns
Some of the faults are the same as during washing: breakdown of the pressure switch, control module, motor brushes and tachometer. We sorted them out earlier. Let's talk separately about the water supply valve. Most often, the SMA does not rinse due to the failure of this node.
Filling valve is faulty - from RUB 1,400*
The valve is responsible for supplying water to the washing machine. Depending on the make and model of the machine, it can have up to three sections. One of them is in charge of filling the rinse water. When the “rinse” part of the valve fails, the automatic machine does not fill the rinse with water and freezes. The display may indicate that there is no water supply.
The electromagnetic coil usually burns out in the valve, so when voltage is applied to it, the membrane does not open and water does not fill.
HOW TO FIX
The valve is not repaired, but replaced with a new one.
* Prices are for labor only, new water supply valve is paid separately.
Failed temperature sensor
Along with a pressure switch, popular models are required to be equipped with a temperature sensor. It determines the temperature of the liquid and transmits this information to the control module. By receiving incorrect data, the module can increase the heating time, prolonging the wash. This can be avoided by simply replacing the thermostat.
Experts recommend studying the list of machine wear parts and regularly checking their condition. Timely replacement will allow you to avoid serious damage.
We looked at the main reasons why a washing machine can take a long time to wash. As a rule, problems are not as bad as you might think. Don’t panic and don’t rush into choosing a new washing machine, because sometimes repairing an older model is much cheaper.
Is your washing machine not working and needs repair?
daily from 8:00 to 22:00.
Diagnostics + Departure - Free. * (see section “Prices”). If you refuse service - only 200 rubles .
Possible breakdowns when the washing machine freezes on the spin cycle
Most often, the machine hangs on the spin cycle. As in the case of washing with rinsing, the cause of freezing may be breakdowns of the pressure switch, control unit, tachometer and motor brushes. Here we will look at malfunctions that are specific only to spinning.
Bearings have fallen apart - from RUB 3,000*
When the spin is turned on, the vibrations of the drum and the entire machine increase. If the bearings are in “poor” condition, the drum will play and shake violently during acceleration. If the SMA can still cope with washing and rinsing in this state, although it creaks more than usual, then it can no longer wring out normally due to strong shaking. When trying to accelerate the drum, the washing machine rattles very loudly and the drum does not gain speed.
In addition to the lack of spin, a washing machine with faulty bearings can stain laundry with black grease from the oil seal. And if you remove the back wall of a front-loading machine or the sides of a vertical-loading machine, you can find rusty stains on the tank from the location of the bearings.
HOW TO FIX
The bearings and seal need to be replaced. It is best to do such repairs immediately when the first signs of damage appear. Otherwise, the malfunction may cause the crosspiece to break or damage the tank, and then the entire tank assembly will have to be replaced.
Engine malfunction
If the drive mechanism is working properly, then you also need to check the tachometer and electric motor of the machine. A brushed motor often becomes weaker over time due to wear on the carbon brushes.
A weak motor is not able to accelerate the drum to high speeds at which the laundry is spun. In general, you need to check the brushes and replace if necessary.
This is done as follows:
- The back cover of the machine is removed.
- The drive belt is pulled out.
- Next, you need to disconnect the wires that go to the contacts of the electric motor. It is advisable to photograph their location in advance.
- The screws that secure the motor to the fasteners are unscrewed.
- Next, you need to slightly press the engine forward, pull it down a little and carefully remove it.
- There are small screws on both sides of the motor housing. They fix the brushes. They need to be unscrewed.
- The carbon brushes themselves are pulled out. It is necessary to check how much they have worn off.
It should be noted that if even one brush wears out, both need to be replaced in any case.
Next you need to check the tachometer. This part doesn't break often. But still sometimes it happens.
A Hall sensor is necessary to control the speed of the machine's electric motor. Its breakdown will certainly cause problems associated with spinning clothes.
Some tips
If you want your washing machine to always please you with clean and fresh laundry, and the rinse mode to always turn on and work perfectly, follow these simple rules:
- use only high-quality detergents; cheap powders do not dissolve well in water;
- load the machine a little less than required according to the instructions, leave more free space;
- carefully check pockets and cuffs before washing, be sure to remove dirt and foreign objects;
- half an hour after the start of the washing process, touch the glass, make sure that the water in the machine has heated up to the desired temperature;
- use the “extra rinse” function without using rinse aid;
- At least once every six months, do preventative cleaning of the water intake and drainage systems, and also check the filters.
If you follow these simple rules, your home assistant will delight you with uninterrupted work for a long time.
See also:
- 10 best washing machines under 25,000 rubles according to customer reviews
- 13 best washing machines from 40,000 to 50,000 rubles according to customer reviews
- 14 most reliable washing machines
- 15 best washing machines
- 15 best washing machines from 30,000 to 40,000 rubles according to customer reviews
