Washing Machine Hums but Won’t Start

Reasons for a Washing Machine Humming

Life can be stressful. The average family juggles so many things that we need everything to run smoothly just to fit everything in. A washing machine humming but not spinning is one of the problems that can really put a kink in our ability to maintain this schedule.

There are some things you just can’t fix yourself without help, but sometimes there may be a simple fix for your washer that you can take care of yourself. Let’s take a look at some of the common causes of a washing machine that’s humming, but won’t start.

Faulty Drain Hose

A washing machine needs a reliable flow of water into it to work and it needs to be able to drain that water as well. When there’s an issue anywhere in the supply and flow you may notice your washing machine humming not draining. If the machine seems to be still working otherwise when you hear this sound, then your problem is likely a faulty drain hose — replacing the hose should fix the problem without having to call for repair help.

Problem With the Water Flow

If your hose is fine and the humming seems to be related to the fact that your machine isn’t filling with water, then you may have something more serious going on such as a plumbing issue. 

The first thing you should do is to check that the taps that feed your machine are open fully. If they are and there still isn’t any water flowing, try unhooking the feed hose and run it into a sink to see if the water is actually flowing. If you notice that the water flow is slow or that there isn’t any there’s a good chance you have a plumbing issue. 

Blocked or Damaged Pump

While modern washing machines are designed to protect the moving parts in your machine from damage, sometimes something does get past these safeguards. Occasionally, a small particle from a pocket or a small piece of clothing can work its way into the washing machine pump. Higher-end machines may display an error code on the control panel to indicate this, but there are many machines that don’t. The only way to know for sure is to take the machine apart to access the pump. Unless you’re confident in your DIY skills, it’s probably best to call Fix Appliances CA at that point for professional help.

Burnt Out Motor

If the humming noise you hear when trying to use the washer is accompanied by the smell of something burning, there may be a major problem with your machine. That burnt smell is probably coming from your motor and it likely needs to be replaced. This isn’t an easy fix and it’s probably best to contact a repair company at that point. 

It Could Be the Motor Coupling

One other thing that may be causing your washing machine to hum or buzz is a damaged motor coupling. This is a part that connects your machine with the pump and it’s vital to the operation of your washer. This is another problem that requires a fair bit of knowledge to fix and it’s usually best to leave this one to the experts as well. 

What to Do When A Washing Machine Just Hums

If you’ve taken a close look at your machine and you’ve ruled out everything you can think of, it’s a good idea to call a licensed repair person for help. Just be sure that you’ve checked the hoses and looked for anything obvious that may be blocking normal operation of your machine before you do.

Fix Appliances has years of experience working with homeowners to find the root cause of broken appliances. Our people are fully certified and ready to service you at a moment’s notice. Our goal is to get your appliances back up and running at the least possible cost to you. With that in mind, we look for simple fixes first that may be difficult to identify to the untrained eye. Here are the most common examples.

Blocked Pump

Sometimes a piece of loose clothing can get lodged in the washing machine pump. There may not be any actual damage to the pump itself, but the humming noise you hear is because that piece of clothing is preventing the pump from turning.

Loose Fitting Motor Coupling

Our washing machines are workhorses. The average family does laundry at least once a week and sometimes more. All of that heavy lifting can be hard on its inner workings. Sometimes parts can loosen and that can prevent the machine from working properly.

That buzzing noise may be something as simple as a loose connection between the motor coupling and the pump. When our repair person arrives they will check for any loose fittings and if they find that to be the root cause they’ll tighten everything up and have you doing laundry in no time. 

Contact Fix Appliances CA Today for Help With A Washing Machine that Hums

It may be tempting to turn your humming washing machine into a Do-It-Yourself project but in most cases, that’s not the best idea. If you’ve checked the hoses and looked inside the drum for any obvious jams without finding anything it’s time to call us at Fix Appliances CA. 

We are one of Canada’s most trusted and reliable names in appliance repair. Our technicians are factory trained and they’ll always look for the simplest solution for your problem first. With more than 15 years of residential and commercial experience, you can be confident that we’ll get the job done right the first time. We provide the same reliable service every time. Here’s a quick summary of why you should choose Fix Appliances CA for your next repair:

• Timely service — we understand how important it is to have a working washing machine and that’s why we offer timely service when you need it.
• Worry-free appraisal — you shouldn’t have to guess about how much a repair will cost you. Our technician will appraise the situation and give you an accurate estimate before they start to work.
• Factory trained — all of our technicians receive factory training before working in the field.
• Manufacturer-approved — we will never use cheap replacement parts. All of the parts we use are manufacturer-approved. 

For help with all of your residential and commercial appliance repairs call Fix Appliances CA today at 1-888-242-0777 or talk with a live rep by clicking here!