Guides

Appliance stopped working? Start here

Short guides written by our technicians: what usually causes the problem, what you can safely check yourself, and when it needs a repair.

• Washing machineHow to clean a washing machine (front load and top load)Once a month, run the machine empty on its hottest cycle or its Tub Clean / Drum Clean program with a washing machine cleaner, or with 2 cups of white vinegar or 2 tablespoons of citric acid for hard water. Then wipe the rubber door seal, wash the detergent drawer, and clean the pump filter. Leave the door open after each wash so it dries.
• Washing machineWashing machine error codes: Samsung, LG and BoschMost codes mean one of four things: no water coming in (Samsung 4C/4E, LG IE, Bosch E17), water not draining (Samsung 5C/5E, LG OE, Bosch E18), the door not locking (Samsung dC/dE, LG dE), or an unbalanced load (Samsung UB/UE, LG UE). Check the tap, the pump filter, the door and the load first. If the code comes back, call a technician. Exact meanings vary by model.
• OvenMicrowave, OTG or oven: what's the difference, and what goes wrong with eachA microwave heats food with microwaves from a magnetron. An OTG (oven, toaster, grill) and an electric oven heat with glowing elements, so they bake and brown. A convection microwave does both. Microwaves usually fail at the magnetron, diode or door switches. OTGs and ovens usually fail at a heating element, thermostat or timer. All of these can usually be repaired at home.
• Washing machineWashing machine not draining: causes and what to doA washing machine that won't drain is usually blocked: a coin, hair or lint in the pump filter, or a kinked drain hose. If the filter and hose are clear and you can hear the machine hum without draining, the drain pump has probably failed and needs replacing.
• Washing machineWashing machine not spinning: causes and what to doMost washing machines that won't spin either have an unbalanced load or still have water inside. They won't spin until they have drained. If the load is balanced and the machine drains, a worn belt, motor capacitor, door lock or motor fault is likely.
• ACAC not cooling: causes and what to doAn AC that runs but doesn't cool most often has clogged filters, a dirty coil, or a remote set to Fan or Dry instead of Cool. If those are fine, the usual causes are low refrigerant gas from a leak, an outdoor fan or capacitor fault, or a compressor that isn't starting, often after low voltage.
• ACAC leaking water inside the room: why and what to doWater dripping from an indoor AC unit is almost always a drain problem. The pipe that carries condensed water outside is blocked by dust or algae, or it doesn't slope downward. A dirty filter or low gas can also freeze the coil, which then drips as it melts.
• FridgeFridge not cooling: causes and what to doIf the freezer is cold but the fridge is warm, ice is usually blocking the air vent between them because of a defrost or fan fault. If nothing is cold at all, check the power and thermostat first. After that, the likely causes are a compressor relay, a gas leak or a control board damaged by voltage.
• MicrowaveMicrowave not heating: causes and what to doA microwave that runs, lights up and turns the plate but doesn't heat usually has a failed magnetron, high-voltage diode, capacitor or door switch. These parts work at very high voltage and stay dangerous after unplugging, so don't open the microwave yourself.
• OvenElectric oven or OTG not heating: causes and what to doMost electric ovens and OTGs that stop heating have a burnt-out heating element, a faulty thermostat, a blown thermal fuse or a worn selector switch. If only the top or only the bottom heats, one element has failed.
• Other appliancesDo you need a voltage stabilizer for your fridge, AC or washing machine in Nepal?In much of Kathmandu Valley, yes for ACs and older fridges, and a good idea for washing machines with electronic boards. Low voltage stops compressors from starting, and spikes when power returns burn out control boards. A stabilizer or auto-cut voltage protector rated for the appliance is far cheaper than the repair.
• Other appliancesRepair or replace? How to decide for your fridge, washing machine or ACRepair it if the appliance is less than about 8–10 years old and the repair costs less than half the price of a new one. Common faults like pumps, belts, capacitors, thermostats and door switches are almost always worth fixing. Replacing makes more sense when the compressor or drum fails on an old unit, or parts are no longer available.