Washing machine won't start
A washing machine that won't start is usually missing one of the things it checks before it runs: power, a lid or door that's closed and locked, the right settings, or water. Control lock, delay start and a paused cycle catch a lot of people. Unplugging it for a minute resets a confused control, and only after those checks is a failed lid switch or door lock worth testing. Most washers that won't start are waiting on something simple: power, a locked lid, or a setting.
What a washer checks before it starts
Before a washer starts a cycle, its control checks a few things. It needs power, and on most machines it needs to know the lid or door is shut. Front-loaders lock the door before they fill, and many newer top-loaders lock the lid too. A switch inside the lock tells the control it's latched, so if the lock can't engage or the switch fails, the washer just sits there or flashes a code.
Settings can stop it too. Control lock, often called child lock, ignores the buttons until it's turned off, and delay start waits hours before running. Many models also need you to press and hold Start for a second or two. Some washers won't go far into a cycle without water flowing in, so closed supply valves can look like a dead machine.
Why washers won't start
Unplugged, or a tripped or breaker.
Something's caught, or the lock or switch has failed.
Control lock, delay start or a paused cycle.
Supply valves closed or hoses kinked.
| You notice | Likely cause | Start at |
|---|---|---|
| Panel is completely dark | No power | Step 1 |
| Outlet is dead | GFCI or breaker | Step 2 |
| Lock light blinks | Lid or door not locking | Step 3 |
| A lock symbol is lit | Control lock is on | Step 4 |
| A timer is counting down | Delay start | Step 4 |
| Lights on, Start does nothing | Start sequence or paused cycle | Step 5 |
| Hums, then stops with an error | No water | Step 7 |
| Locks, but never starts | or door lock | Step 9 |
Let's fix it
- Make sure it has powerLook at the control panel. If nothing lights at all, check that the plug is pushed all the way into the outlet behind the washer. If the panel lights up, power is getting to it, and you can skip ahead to the lid or door.
- Check the outlet, GFCI and breakerPlug a lamp or tester into the washer's outlet. If it's dead, press Reset on the outlet if it's a GFCI, or on any GFCI outlet nearby in the laundry area, then check the for a tripped breaker and push it fully off, then on, once. If the breaker trips again when the washer starts, leave it off and call for help.
- Close the lid or door until it locksPush the lid or door firmly closed and listen for the lock to click. On a front-loader, check that no clothing is caught in the door seal. On a top-loader, check the lid strike, the small tab on the lid that goes into a slot on the top, for damage. If the lock light blinks or the door won't lock, something is in the way or the lock has failed.
- Turn off control lock and delay startLook for a lit lock symbol or the words Control Lock or Child Lock, and turn it off, usually by holding a marked button for about 3 seconds; the manual names the button. Check for a delay-start light or a countdown in the display and cancel it.
- Press Start the way your model expectsMany washers need you to turn them on, pick a cycle, then press and hold Start for a second or two. If a cycle was paused earlier, the washer may be waiting; press Cancel or Power off, then start a new cycle. The manual or the label inside the lid often spells out the sequence.
- Reset itUnplug the washer, or switch off its breaker, and leave it off for at least a minute. Plug it back in and try a short cycle. This clears a lot of frozen controls. Some brands also list a reset sequence of button presses in the manual.
- Make sure the water is onBehind the washer, check that both the hot and cold supply valves are fully open and that the hoses aren't kinked. Some washers stall or show an error at the start of the cycle without water flowing in. If it starts but won't fill, we have a guide for a washer not filling.
- Look up the error codeIf the display shows a code or the lights blink in a pattern, find the model number, usually on a label inside the lid, around the door opening or on the back, and look the code up in the manual or on the maker's site. Codes often point to the lid lock, the water supply or the drain.
- Test the lid switch or door lockWith the washer unplugged, reach the lid switch or door lock. On many top-loaders, the switch sits under the main top panel, which lifts after removing a couple of screws or releasing clips. On a front-loader, the door lock is behind the front panel and often means loosening the door gasket clamp, so follow the repair guide for your model. Check the switch with a multimeter set to continuity while it's latched, and replace it with the exact part if it doesn't read closed. If it tests fine, the control board is the next suspect, which a repair tech can confirm.
Watch it done
- Start begins a cycle
- The lid or door locks with a click
- Water starts filling
If it starts but has other problems
If it starts but won't fill, check our guide for a washer not filling.
If it stops with water in the drum, there's a separate guide for a washer that won't drain.
What a pro typically charges (a rough estimate; prices vary by area): An appliance repair visit typically costs $100–$200 to diagnose. A lid switch or door lock usually runs $150–$300 installed, and a control board $250–$500 or more.
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Washer won't start questions
Why won't my washing machine start?
Usually there's no power, the lid or door isn't locking, control lock or delay start is on, or the water supply is off.
How do I reset my washing machine?
Unplug it or turn off its breaker for at least a minute, then plug it back in. Some models also have a button sequence in the manual.
Why is my washer's lock light blinking?
The lid or door isn't locking. Something may be caught, or the lock or its switch has failed.
How do I turn off child lock on a washer?
On most models, hold the marked button for about 3 seconds until the lock symbol goes out. Your manual names the button.
Why won't my washing machine turn on?
Check the power, outlet, GFCI and breaker first. Then make sure the lid or door locks and that control lock and delay start are off.