Diagnose
Washer not working? Common problems and what causes them
Diagnostic fee waived with repair
Washing machine faults are usually drainage, balance, or control related — and most are same-visit repairs.
Quick answer
Most washing machines fail because of a single component, not age. The usual culprits are won't drain, won't spin, leaking. Most repairs finish in one visit. Replacement is usually only worth it above roughly eight years old or when the repair exceeds half the replacement price.
What we do
Washer repair, done properly
Washing machine faults are usually drainage, balance, or control related — and most are same-visit repairs.
Our technicians carry the parts that fail most often on washing machines, so the majority of these repairs finish in a single visit.
You get a written estimate before any work starts, and a 12-month parts-and-labour warranty on the repair.
Symptoms
What's wrong with your washer?
Pick the closest match — it pre-fills your booking so we arrive with the likely part.
Ready to book washer repair?
See what the visit costs, what the 12-month warranty covers, and which areas we reach same-day.
Washer Repair details & coverageDiagnosis
How we diagnose a washer problem
Every visit starts with a diagnosis, not a guess. Here's what your technician actually checks, in order, before recommending a repair.
- 1
Drain pump for obstruction
Coins, socks, and lint clog the drain pump more often than the pump itself fails — we pull and check it before assuming a motor or board problem. Clearing an obstruction is usually a same-visit fix.
- 2
Door lock & latch continuity
We test the door lock switch with a multimeter. A washer that won't start or stops mid-cycle often can't confirm the door is actually closed.
- 3
Drum bearing & suspension
Loud banging on spin usually means worn tub bearings or failed suspension rods and springs — we check drum play by hand before opening the cabinet, since the fix differs a lot between the two.
- 4
Control board fault codes
Newer models log a fault code on the display or as a blink pattern on an indicator light. We read it first, since it usually points straight at the failed part.
Repair or replace
When replacement is the better call
The working rule is the 50% test: if the repair costs more than half of a comparable new unit, and the appliance is past roughly two-thirds of its expected life, replacement usually wins on total cost of ownership.
Most washing machines are built for 10–13 years. A failure at year three is almost always worth repairing. A sealed-system or compressor failure at year twelve usually is not — and we will say so rather than sell you the repair.
Premium built-in units are the exception. A Sub-Zero or Viking unit is worth repairing well past the point where a mass-market appliance would be retired, because replacement runs into five figures once cabinetry work is included.
Brands
Washer brands we service
Questions
Washer repair FAQ
Is it worth repairing a washer?
Repairing a washer is generally worth it when the repair costs less than half the price of a replacement and the unit is under about eight years old. SOS Appliance Repair diagnoses first and tells you plainly when replacement is the better value.
How long does a washer repair take?
Most washer repairs are completed in a single visit lasting 45 to 90 minutes. When a part must be ordered, SOS Appliance Repair schedules the return visit before leaving and the original diagnostic is not charged twice.
What causes a washer to fail?
The most common washer faults SOS Appliance Repair sees are: won't drain, won't spin, leaking, loud banging. Most trace back to a single failed component rather than end-of-life, which is why diagnosis before replacement matters.
Same-day appointments available
Broken appliance? We can be there today.
Talk to the company that actually sends the technician — no lead brokers, no bidding wars, no runaround.
- Licensed & insured
- 12-month warranty
- Diagnostic fee waived with repair