Is there an obvious reason why my washing machine isn't working?

[FelixFelix]

I live in a rental property and there's a Whirlpool AW 1200 washing machine in the cellar, which belongs to our landlady. It's been ok to use so far, but suddenly yesterday it just stopped working.

I had a load of washing on and went downstairs to empty it, but it was still soaking wet. I went to put it on to drain/fast spin but nothing happened. It's like its totally lost power. I've tried unplugging/plugging it back in, checked all the correct buttons are pressed, checked the door is closed properly etc but can't work out what's wrong.

Before I contact my landlady, is there anything totally obvious that could be causing this? I'm rubbish with this sort of thing

Has it tripped, have you checked the trip switch. Also have you checked the fuse in the plug (should be a 13 amp)?

Have you checked the fuse and the circuit breaker?

If that's all fine and there's no signs of life (no lights or anything) then a circuit board has probably blown.

If you don't have a manual for it, there might be one online.

Mine won't work if it's judged (??) that the load is unequal somehow. Eg if I put in just one big towel or bathmat it won't go round. I have to put more in to bulk up the load. This is especially true of the spin bit....it refuses to go round and everything lies there soaking wet.

the filter is blocked

Thanks for the quick replies! I am looking at the board thing with all the switches and they are all on. I've just checked and the tumble dryer which is plugged in to the same plug isn't working either. They are in an extension plug which has individual switches on it (if that makes sense). Do you think that could be the problem?

Sorry I'm not very technical!!

I've plugged it straight in to the wall and it's now working! So it is the extension plug

Thank you for making me check the power rather than the actual machine! Panic over

So the fuse in the extension lead went then. You do need to be careful not to overload extension leads - the fuse did it's job and prevented a real problem. Appliances like washing machines are high rated (around 10A) so if you've got other things plugged into the extension lead (which will take a max 10A or 13A - it will say on it) and working/on be careful not to overload them:

www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guides-and-advice/electrical-items/overloading-sockets/

Your washing machine and tumble dryer will be around 21A combined so that's a seriously overloaded extension lead. And seriously dangerous.

Should you ever find your machine cuts out again and it's not the electrics, ours does exactly what yours did if the filter is blocked - the filter is behind the removable panel on the front of the machine at the bottom.

Thanks fudge, I never realised that! My DP set up the extension so I've never really dealt with it. They will be plugged straight in the wall from now on

I'll take a look at the filter anyway. I assume my landlady has never cleaned it out as she's not exactly brilliant with that sort of thing!

Have to say I have never cleaned out a washing machine filter except when the machine stopped working - it's as though it's where the bits and pieces the machine just cannot deal with get diverted to and you have to take them out!

I might find some treasure then

Or a rusty hair grip and a crappy broken plastic button!