Appliance Issues: Common Problems and Easy Fixes

Every home has that one appliance that decides to quit just when you need it most. The good news? Most of the time the problem is simple and you don’t need to wait for a technician. In this guide we’ll walk through the typical culprits behind broken appliances and share quick steps you can try before calling in help.

Why Appliances Break – The Usual Suspects

Most appliances suffer from three main types of trouble: wear and tear, lack of maintenance, and a faulty part. A washing machine, for example, often stops spinning because the belt is worn or the pump is clogged with lint. An oven that won’t heat usually points to a broken heating element or a tripped thermal fuse. Refrigerators complain with a noisy compressor when the coils are dusty or the door seal is cracked.

Water heaters are a classic case of corrosion. When the anode rod wears out, the tank starts rusting inside, leading to leaks and constant resetting. The same goes for dryers – lint builds up in the vent, the motor overheats, and the dryer shuts off for safety.

Even small appliances like microwaves can fail from a blown fuse or a faulty door switch. The pattern is the same: something that should be clean or moving freely gets blocked or worn out, and the appliance shuts down to protect itself.

Quick Fixes You Can Try at Home

Before you dial a repair service, grab a screwdriver and give these checks a go. Start with the power source – make sure the plug is secure and the circuit breaker isn’t tripped. For a fridge that isn’t cooling, pull it out, vacuum the back coils, and clean the condenser fan blades.

If your oven isn’t heating, turn it off, let it cool, then inspect the heating element for visible breaks. A quick visual check often reveals a spot where the coil is cracked. Replacing the element is usually a cheap DIY job.

For washing machines that won’t spin, locate the drain pump and clear any debris. A clogged pump will prevent water from draining, causing the machine to stay in a wash cycle. Likewise, a dishwasher that leaks often has a worn door gasket – replace the rubber seal and the leak stops.

When a dryer won’t start, clean the lint screen and vent pipe first. A blocked vent causes the motor to overheat and shut down. If the dryer still won’t run, check the start switch with a multimeter; a bad switch is easy to replace.

Microwave fans that make a humming noise usually just need the motor bearings greased or the fan blade cleared of food crumbs. Unplug the unit, remove the outer cover, and give the fan a quick clean.

If any of these steps feel beyond your comfort zone, that’s the perfect time to call a professional. A qualified technician can quickly diagnose deeper issues like a faulty thermostat or a broken compressor, saving you time and frustration.

Regular upkeep is the best defense against appliance breakdowns. Wipe down seals, clear vents, and run a simple maintenance check every few months. A little attention now keeps costly repairs at bay later.

Got a stubborn appliance that still won’t cooperate after these fixes? Our Glastonbury team is ready to help. We offer fast, affordable repairs for everything from washing machines to water heaters, so you can get back to normal life without the hassle.