The washing machine freezes on spinning, rinsing or washing, reasons, what to do?

When you can fix the situation yourself

To begin with, it’s worth discarding all standard situations when there is no breakdown, and the machine has stopped precisely because this is what its “iron brain” provided:

Overloading of the washing machine: if the machine stops at the very beginning of the wash and is equipped with an intelligent weight sensor, it may be due to too much weight. Check if you have put too many things in the drum?
Mode without draining and spinning: if the stop occurred during rinsing, check the program selection: maybe you chose a mode with a stop with water? Such modes exist for delicate, easily wrinkled items. If so, turn on the drain forcibly.
Unbalanced laundry: if the machine freezes at the beginning of the spin cycle, check to see if the laundry has gathered in one lump? Often, when there is a large imbalance of laundry, the machine stops, refusing to spin, in order to avoid excessive vibration. In this case, simply place the items in the drum manually.

If your case is none of the above, then most likely some kind of breakdown has occurred. Be sure to pay attention to what stage of the cycle the freeze occurs: this will greatly help narrow down the range of possible problems.

Where to start checking

If for various reasons the washing machine does not finish washing, then you need to look at how exactly it does it and, based on this, start checking the device:

If the washing machine takes longer than expected . The first step is to check the correct connection of the drain hose to the sewer. It is necessary to make sure that there is no spontaneous outflow of water from the tank of the machine. During this draining of water, new water is added, and the washing program is increased. The lack of heating of water can contribute to an increase in washing time;
The washing machine does not turn on . Check that there is power in the outlet, then that the hatch is closed securely and that there is a water supply. If these steps do not lead to success, then the next ones will require disassembling the machine body - checking the valves, lock, electronics and other components;
The washing machine does not start washing . The reasons are the socket, the water supply, and the hatch not being closed. In an Indesit washing machine, there may be a problem in the motor; You cannot set a program in a washing machine. The reasons are in electronics, most often in the program installation selector. A common problem with Kandy cars;
The Indesit washing machine does not turn off at the end of the program . In this brand, this happens most often due to wear on the electric motor brushes. In cars from Korean manufacturers, this also occurs when these parts wear out. If there is a display on the machine panel, then the time stops for several minutes and the machine continues to try to spin. But this may also indicate an imbalance caused by improper placement of the laundry in the drum.

The washing machine fills with water and freezes for 1 minute - the main reasons

Below are the most common reasons why the machine stops in the first minute of washing or immediately after drawing water.

Breaking	What is the problem
Problems with water collection	There are a number of problems that lead to the fact that the washing machine cannot draw water, for example, a broken fill valve or a blockage. And if there is no water in the machine, then the washing does not start. In this case, the freeze occurs at the very beginning of the cycle. It is necessary to diagnose the washing machine and eliminate problems that prevent water from flowing.
Failure of the pressure switch (water level sensor)	Failure of the pressure switch - the sensor responsible for determining the amount of water in the machine - leads to the fact that the machine cannot determine how much water has accumulated and does not start the washing cycle. The sensor needs to be replaced.
Failure of the UBL (hatch locking device)	UBL failure. If the hatch locking device (UBL) fails, the SMA considers the hatch door unlocked and does not even begin to draw water. The UBL needs to be replaced.
Malfunction of the heating element (tubular electric heater)	If the heating element breaks down, the machine cannot heat the water. But it is desperately trying, and the electronic brain is “waiting” for the water to reach the desired temperature. As a result, the washing machine freezes - it has taken in water and is trying to heat it up. An indirect sign of this breakdown is that even if you select a high temperature, the sunroof glass remains cold. A broken heating element must be replaced.
A foreign body getting in between the tub and the drum of the washing machine or the drum being “skewed”	If the wash does not start and the drum remains motionless, the problem may be that the drum is jammed. This can happen due to small foreign objects getting into the tank (during previous washes) or due to “misalignment” of the drum (fastenings have become loose or the bearing has failed). Whatever the reason, a jammed machine cannot turn the drum and it seems that the unit is frozen during the washing phase. You can check whether the problem is really a jammed drum by trying to turn it by hand, after turning off the machine. If the drum does not spin or spins with great difficulty, this is exactly your case. It is necessary to diagnose the exact cause of the drum jamming and eliminate it: removing the foreign object, adjusting the drum position or replacing the bearing.

How to fix the problem

What needs to be done to return the machine to working order? Not all parts can be repaired yourself. But it is up to you to inspect them, clear them of blockages, or replace them.

Replace heating element

If the hatch remains cold in the washing mode at high temperatures, the heating element does not heat the water. You may feel that your laundry smells musty and doesn't wash well. These are also indirect signs of a heater malfunction.

In Bosch, LG, and Samsung models, the electric heater is located in the front. In Indesit and Ariston washing machines, you need to remove the back cover. Progress:

Remove the top panel of the washer.
Pull the dispenser tray out of the housing by pressing the latch in the center.
Unscrew the screws around the perimeter of the control panel and release its latches.
Remove the plinth panel.
Open the hatch door, bend the cuff and remove the clamp.
Unscrew the two lock bolts on the housing.
Now unscrew all the screws around the perimeter of the front panel and remove it from the case.
Under the tank you will see the heating element outlets.
Disconnect the wiring from the heater.
Loosen the central nut and push the bolt inward.

After removing the heating element from the housing, check it. Use a multimeter to measure resistance. If the part shows infinite resistance, then replacement is needed.

Check the hatch lock

Due to a broken UBL, the hatch door is not blocked, so the water intake will not start. In the case of replacing the heating element, we described how to disconnect the lock fastenings from the body. To remove the device, disconnect its wiring. The locking device is also checked with a multimeter.

Clear blockage in the drain system

Depending on the model of your washer, the pump may be located in front or behind the body. After removing the desired panel, inspect the drain hose and fitting. Feel them with your hand. If there is a blockage inside, clean it under running water.

To remove the pipe:

Unscrew the bolt securing the clamp.
Unclench the clamp using pliers.
Disconnect the pipe from the tank and pump.

To check the pump:

Disconnect the pump wiring.
Unscrew the mounting screws and remove the pump from the housing.
To inspect, release the latches that secure the pump to the volute.

Inspect the engine

Replacement of the motor is required in case of problems with the winding. You can try to fix wear on electric brushes or lamellas yourself. We wrote in previous articles how to repair the SMA engine.

Let's look at how to remove the motor for inspection:

Unscrew the screws on the back panel and remove it from the case.
To remove the engine, disconnect the wiring leading to it.
Unscrew the bolts (three to four pieces).
Take out the motor.

Now you can begin the inspection. For inspection, remove the brushes from the motor housing. If the rods are worn out, the brushes need to be replaced.

The winding is checked with a multimeter for the presence of a short circuit or open circuit.

Check electronic board

Electronics often fail due to sudden voltage changes and high humidity. During strong vibration of the machine, the contacts of the board may come off. To check it, remove the control panel as described above. Release the latches and release the board.

Upon inspection, are burnt elements visible? Contact the service center for assistance.

To summarize, we can conclude: you can independently check the parts of the washing machine, but only a specialist can perform an accurate diagnosis.

The washing machine freezes during washing: the main reasons

Below are the most common reasons why the machine stops during the washing phase.

Breaking	What is the problem
Washing machine motor failure	Long-term use or exposure to water may cause the washing machine motor to burn out . In this case, the machine is deprived of its main rotating force and the washing stops at the very beginning of the cycle. Engine replacement required.
Drum bearing failure	Long-term use or exposure to water may cause the drum bearing to jam . In this case, first there is increased noise when the drum rotates, and then the SMA stops rotating the drum completely. The bearing needs to be replaced.
Problems with draining water	During each wash cycle, the machine changes the water several times. If there are problems with draining the water, most likely the process will stop and the machine will “freeze”, full of soapy water. It is necessary to diagnose the washing machine and eliminate problems that prevent draining.
Control board fault	If the control board is damaged due to long-term use or power surges, various software failures occur. In particular, the machine may begin to freeze during the washing phase. The faulty board must be reflashed or replaced, depending on the extent of the damage.

However, quite often the machine copes with the washing stage “excellently”, but then some kind of malfunction occurs.

Engine

The system board controls the operation of the motor and sets the required number of revolutions during washing and spinning. A breakdown in the engine can cause program failures and breakdown of the entire unit.

To diagnose and repair complex expensive parts of your washing machine, contact our service center.

This video will help you understand in detail the causes of program failures and how to eliminate them:

The washing machine freezes during rinsing or spinning: the main reasons

From a process point of view, rinsing and spinning are very similar: the machine works with a large volume of water and heavy loads. So the reasons for freezing are almost identical.

Breaking	What is the problem
Laundry balance sensor malfunction	The imbalance sensor, which is equipped with most modern washing machines, may fail. In this case, even if the laundry is in the drum as it should be, the control “brain” of the washing machine does not receive a signal that “everything is in order” and does not start spinning - in order to avoid too high vibrations. The sensor needs to be replaced.
Faulty shock absorber or damper of the washing machine	Wear on the shock-absorbing components of the washing machine leads to increased vibration. New, especially “smart” washing machines slow down the process when the vibrations are too powerful - so that the vibrations do not damage other components of the device. Shock absorbers need to be replaced.
Tachometer problems	The speed control sensor - tachometer - in good condition allows the machine to control the speed of rotation of the drum. If the tachometer fails, the machine cannot understand what the speed is - and instead of spinning it stops. The tachometer needs to be replaced.
Malfunction of the pressure switch (water level sensor)	The failure of the pressure switch that determines the water level in the machine leads to the fact that the control board cannot “understand” whether there is water left in the machine or not. In this case, the machine may try to drain non-existent water, or even freeze somewhere between rinsing and spinning. The water level sensor needs to be replaced.
Problems with draining water	In some cases, problems with draining water lead to the machine freezing during rinsing and spinning. These include partial blockage of pipes and sewers, contamination of the drain filter, or problems with the drain pump. It is necessary to diagnose the washing machine and eliminate problems that prevent water from draining.
Control board fault	Failure of the control board leads to incorrect execution of various processes: among other things, the “brain” of the unit may freeze during the rinsing or spinning stage. The control board needs to be re-flashed or replaced.

Incorrect installation and operation of the device

The reasons why the machine rattles and jumps during the spin process are very diverse - from improper installation of the unit to failure of its important components. And while some of the causes can be eliminated on your own, eliminating others will require the help of a qualified specialist. To begin with, we suggest you figure out in which cases you can cope with the problem without outside help.

Shipping bolts not removed

If the problem was discovered immediately after delivery of the new equipment, it may not be a problem with the device at all. Often, during installation of the unit, buyers forget to unscrew the shipping bolts located on its rear panel. Such bolts firmly fix the washing machine tank to protect the device from damage during transportation.

When installing a new washing machine, be sure to unscrew the shipping bolts

After removing the parts, the drum hangs freely on springs, which dampen vibrations of the device during washing. If the bolts are not removed, the rigidly mounted drum will vibrate violently, causing rapid wear of many internal components. The number of shipping bolts may vary between different models of equipment, so we advise you to check the instructions before removing them. In order to remove the parts, you will need a wrench of the appropriate size. For washing machines from Indesit or Zanussi, its size is 10 mm, for devices from Samsung, LG or Bosch brands - 12 mm.

The device is unstable on the base

Another reason for strong vibration of the washing machine during the spin cycle can be its incorrect installation. First of all, pay attention to the surface on which the device stands: it should be hard and monolithic (ideally, a concrete floor or tile). Most often, machines bounce on a wooden floor: at high speeds, it bends under the weight of the device, increasing the vibrations created by the drum. In rare cases, the machine may jump because the floor in the room is too smooth and slippery. In this case, you can cope with the rumble by placing a rubber mat under the device or by sticking special anti-slip stickers on its legs. If you can't find similar stickers in the store, use double-sided construction tape.

You can restore the washing machine's stability by adjusting the height of its legs.

We also advise you to pay attention to how tightly the legs of the device are screwed. Sometimes during operation their fastenings become loose, which leads to instability of the machine. To check that the legs are secure, simply rock the machine with your hands. If it is “limping”, then the supports should be adjusted and secured in the correct position with a lock nut. You can also reduce the length of the legs by screwing them deeper into the base of the device. This way you will achieve greater resistance of the unit to vibrations.

The laundry is unevenly distributed in the drum

To avoid many problems during operation of the device, the developers advise you to always follow the recommendations for the weight of the loaded laundry. Uneven distribution of items can overload the drum and cause the machine to rattle during the spin cycle. If you suspect that the rattling noise is caused by an imbalance, follow these instructions: stop the spin cycle, remove some clothes from the machine, spread the remaining laundry evenly around the drum, and then restart the spin program.

Do not overload the washing machine with laundry

The washing machine freezes while draining water: the main reasons

Let's look at the reasons why a washing machine may freeze while draining water.

Breaking	What is the problem
Blockage in the drain or sewer system	If there is a blockage in the drainage system, water stops flowing into the sewer and the machine stops. The blockage may be in the pipes, filter, drain pump impeller, drain hose, or in the sewer. The blockage needs to be cleared.
Malfunction of the drain pump (pump)	the drain pump breaks down , water stops being pumped into the sewer system. The pump may burn out or the impeller may break. The drain pump needs to be replaced.

Is it worth fixing the problem yourself?

In most cases, repairing a washing machine yourself is quite difficult. It should be borne in mind that if you repair it yourself, there is a risk of aggravating the problem.

In case of electronics breakdown and other complex faults, it is better to entrust repairs to a specialist. If the breakdown is not serious, then you can repair the equipment yourself. For example, you can clean the drain filter and hose of the machine, as well as the sewer system yourself.

You can also replace the fill valve yourself.

This is done as follows:

Remove the top cover of the machine,
Find the fill valve. It is located at the connection point of the inlet hose,
Disconnect the wiring and remove the fasteners,
Remove the old fill valve
Install the new valve and perform all steps in reverse order.

How to reset a program when frozen?

When freezing, resetting the program can sometimes help. Washing machines of different brands do this differently. Let's look at the most popular:

Indesit, Ariston . If the error code is not displayed, you need to press and hold the “Start” button and wait for the LEDs on the panel to light up and go out. If the machine generates an error, only unplugging it from the outlet for a while will help.
LG . Press and hold the power button or unplug it from the outlet.
Samsung . There is no error reset, you need to turn it off and eliminate the cause of the failure.
Zanussi, Electrolux . The program is reset by turning on pause or disconnecting from the network.

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.

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.

Anti-vibration stands

Since this problem is not new, there has long been a simple and inexpensive solution to it - anti-vibration stands. For the most part, these products are small circles made of durable polymer that absorbs vibration, thereby ensuring stability and reliable fixation of the case on a smooth surface.

These stands have an attractive appearance and will definitely not spoil the impression of good repairs and high-quality household appliances. There are different models of stands available for sale; they differ in shape and color, so it’s easy to choose the ideal solution for any interior.

The process of installing anti-vibration products is not particularly difficult; moreover, you don’t even have to turn off the device. To prevent the machine from wobbling, simply tilt its body to one side and place a stand under each of the legs. Then the same actions are performed for the other side. There is no need to re-align the case; the material of the stands itself will ensure its horizontal position.