Why Does My Washing Machine Have no Power?

It can be incredibly frustrating dealing with a machine that simply won't turn on at all. It's especially annoying if it's your washing machine. A pile of dirty clothes just getting bigger and bigger is incredibly irritating. Oftentimes, an issue like this can be resolved with a little poking and prodding and making sure everything is plugged in completely and working. But sometimes it's not so easy and requires a more professional eye. Figuring out the difference is important to getting the machine fixed as quickly as possible.

Appliances are so easy to use and pretty luxurious to have, it makes us forget that they can be very complicated when things start to go wrong with them.

First and foremost, check all the power sources on the machine. Make sure the power is plugged in and then check to make sure the outlet is receiving power and not tripped. While you're back there, also make sure no wires are frayed and preventing power from coming into the machine. If you've done all this and ruled out all sources of user error, it's time to dig a little deeper into the potential problems with your machine.

A fuse blow may be more common on some models than others but any power surge big enough can blow a fuse in your washing machine. You can check this by removing the metal panel in the back of the machine (make sure you've unplugged it to be safe) and take a look at the memory board (if you have a machine that has two, the fuse will be on the smaller one). Look at the fuse and see if you can eye ball its condition. If it's not clear from looking, you'll need to check the power with a multimeter if you have one. If it's blown, you'll need a new one.

If you're looking in the back of the machine and find the fuse is not blown, then the issue may be with the control board itself. Check the rest of the control board (or the other board if your machine has two) and look for scorch marks or signs of damage. Be very careful when handling the boards to avoid possible electrocution. You can check if the board is receiving power with the power indicator light. If it's off, then something's wrong with the electrical flow. If it's on, make sure the voltage coming from the board is correct. If it's damaged in some way, you'll likely need to replace it. For this you'll want to go to a professional who has electrical experience and proper training.