How to fix no power and no light issue on Washing Machine?

If your washing machine suddenly lost power in the middle of a cycle or won’t turn on at all, don’t worry.

You can troubleshoot and fix the issue yourself using some basic tools and knowledge.

In this article, we will go over some of the most common symptoms of power issues as well as no light issues, and provide solutions to each problem.

With a little time and effort, you will have your washing machine up and running again in no time.

Let’s dive right into it.

What you will need

In order to troubleshoot and fix the power or light issue on your washing machine, you will need:

• Screwdrivers
• Wrenches
• Pliers
• Multimeter electrical tester

Symptoms Of Power Issues

Before jumping to a solution, let’s take a quick look at some of the most common symptoms of power issues with a washing machine.

Washing machine lost power mid-cycle

One of the common symptoms of a power issue is when your washing machine suddenly loses power in the middle of a cycle.

This can be frustrating, especially if you have a load of laundry that is only half-done.

There are a few possible causes of this problem, which we will go over in the next section.

Washing machine won’t power on

Another common symptom of a power issue is when your washing machine won’t turn on at all.

If you try to plug it in and nothing happens, then there is likely a bigger problem at play.

Again, we will go over some possible causes and solutions in the next section.

Washing machine stopped mid-cycle with a burning smell

A washing machine stopping in mid-cycle with a burning smell is another symptom of a power issue.

This usually happens when there is an electrical short somewhere in the washing machine.

If you notice this symptom, it is important to unplug the washing machine immediately and call a professional for help.

Washing machine keeps stopping and starting

If your washing machine stops and starts, it’s a strong indication that there is an issue with the power supply.

This could be caused by a loose wire or a problem with the circuit breaker or even the door switch.

Again, if you notice this symptom, it is important to unplug the washing machine immediately and call a professional for help.

Shock Issues

If you notice a shock on touching the washer and if it does not start, it indicates that there is an earthing problem.

This needs to be checked and fixed as soon as possible by a professional as it can be dangerous.

A lot of time your washing machine may still work even with the earthing problems, but you should not be surprised if it stops working.

Symptoms of no light issue

Another common issue with washing machines is when the display stops working or there are no lights on the panel.

Some of the common symptoms of this problem are:

Washing machine display not working

The most common symptom of a no-light issue is when the display is not working at all.

This can be frustrating, especially if you can’t tell what cycle the machine is on or how much time is left.

There are a few possible causes of this problem, which we will go over in the next section.

Washing machine has power but no lights

Another common symptom of a no-light issue is when your washing machine has power but no lights on the panel.

Your laundry machine will function just as expected, it’s just that it will be difficult to tell what cycle the machine is on.

Furthermore, if there are any errors such as E1 errors or some other errors that need attention, you won’t be able to see it as the display will be off.

Runs the wash cycle with no lights in the panel

If your washing machine starts the wash cycle but there are no lights in the panel, it is likely that the display board has gone bad.

It’s a case where the washer will complete the wash cycle without any issues, the only thing is that the display will be off.

A lot of time buttons will also function just as expected, but the display and wash mode won’t be visible in the display panel.

It’s like all the features are functional but without any lights OR anything being visible in the display panel.

Causes and solutions to no power and no light issue

Now that we have gone over some of the common symptoms of power or no-light issue, let’s take a look at some of the possible causes and solutions.

Power Source

One of the most common causes of power or no-light issues is a problem with the power source.

This could be anything from a loose wire to a blown fuse.

If you suspect that the power source is the problem, the first thing you should do is check the circuit breaker.

If the circuit breaker has tripped, simply reset it and see if that fixes the problem.

If the circuit breaker trips again, there is definitely an issue with the power source and you should call a professional for help.

Display Board

Another common cause of power or no-light issues is a problem with the display board.

The display board is what controls the lights and display on the washing machine.

If the display board is not working, it will cause the lights and display to stop working.

Solution: Check if possible open the display panel and check with a multimeter if the power is flowing through the circuit or not. If the power does not flow through the circuit, then it means that the display board needs to be replaced.

It’s advisable that you reach out to a professional for help if you have a similar situation.

Broken Knobs

A lot of time what happens is everything is working as expected and there is nothing wrong with the washer except the broken knobs.

Knobs may be damaged or broken from the inside and appear absolutely normal, thereby giving an illusion that wash cycles are not running even after turning the knob to wash the clothes.

In such cases, always do a manual check by turning the knobs with light hands and see if it moves too freely or has a lot of resistance.

If the knob moves too freely OR has a lot of resistance, then it means your knob needs to be checked thoroughly and possibly needs a replacement.

Door Switch

Another common reason why your washing machine may have power but no light is a problem with the door switch.

The door switch is what tells the washing machine if the door is open or closed.

If the door switch is not working, it will cause the lights and display to stop working.

In some cases, you may also notice no power and no lights at the same time if your door switch has gone bad.

Solution: You can check if the door switch is working or not by opening the door while the machine is running.

If the machine stops running, it means that the door switch is working.

If the machine doesn’t stop running, it means that the door switch is not working and needs to be replaced.

Wiring Issues

Another possible cause of power or no-light issues is a problem with the wiring.

Wiring problems can be caused by anything from a loose wire to a bad connection.

If you suspect that the wiring is the problem, the first thing you should do is check all the wires.

Make sure that all of the wires are securely connected and that there are no loose or damaged wires.

If you find any loose or damaged wires, make sure to replace them.

It’s very common for rats to damage the internal wires, thereby causing the washing machine to stop. So be sure to check the cables for any damage caused by rats.

Washing machine timer switch broken

It’s the timer switch that tells the washing machine when to turn on and off.

If the timer switch is not working, it will confuse the washer on when it should turn on and off.

Solution: You can remove the wires from the switch by opening the display panel OR panel where the timer switch is located. Followed by checking the electrical continuity. If there is no continuity, simply replace the timer switch.

Faulty Start Switch

The start switch is responsible to turn on the washer.

If the start switch is not working, the machine will not start in the first place.

Solution: You can check the switch for continuity using a multimeter. If there is no continuity, then it means that the switch needs to be replaced.

Overheating

Overheating is one of the most common reasons why your washing machine may have no power or no light.

When the washing machine overheats, it may result in a burnt motor, short circuit, OR temporary pause.

This usually happens if your washer has not been serviced for a long time due to which excess lint and blockages are imminent.

A choked washer has to work really hard to complete the set cycle, as a result, it simply overburdens the washer, thereby causing excess heat.

Solution: Always make sure that your washer is serviced at regular intervals to avoid such issues. If you notice any kind of overheating, simply stop using the washer and call a technician to check the same.

Faulty Motor

If your washing machine has a faulty motor, it will not be able to start.

The motor is responsible for turning the drum and agitating the clothes.

If the motor is not working, no matter what cycle you select, your washer simply won’t work.

There may be several reasons why the motor turns faulty.

Solution: You can either repair the motor OR replace it. Replacing the motor will make more sense if the current motor is burnt out. You can always use a multimeter to check the electrical continuity.

Problematic main control board

If your washing machine is connected to the working switch and if all the cables are properly connected, there are high chances that the main control board is either damaged OR worn out.

It’s the main control board that receives all the wires from various components in order to control the washing machine’s function.

A faulty main control board may light up your washing machine intermittently and not perform the wash function and vice-versa.

Problematic Noise filter assembly

Washing machines have a noise filter assembly that blocks high-frequency noises.

If this part is damaged, you may experience a humming noise OR a grinding noise along with intermittent power loss OR Light Issues.

Solution: Replace the Noise Filter

Short Circuit

If there is a short circuit in your washing machine, it may cause the machine to trip the power.

A short circuit can be caused due to a number of reasons like damaged wires, faulty components, OR a faulty main control board.

A short circuit can be diagnosed by looking at symptoms such as burnt smell, washing machine being completely dead, and looking for burnt signs.

Solution: Replace the burnt part OR damaged part, It’s always best to call an electrician to check for any short circuits in your washing machine.

Power Cable

If your washing machine is not getting the power, one of the first things you should check is the power cord.

A lot of time you will be surprised to see that the power cords are either damaged OR it’s not properly inserted into the socket.

Solution: Check the power cord for any damage. If there is any damage, replace the cord. If the cord is not properly inserted into the socket, simply remove it and insert it back again.

Faulty Extension board

If your washing machine is connected to an extension board and it is not receiving the power, chances are that the extension board is faulty.

It’s easy to diagnose a faulty extension board.

Simply unplug the extension board’s power cable from the main power socket and use the washer directly by connecting it to the main power socket.

If the washer runs as expected, it means the extension board is faulty.

Furthermore, extension boards are not designed to work with heavy appliances like washing machines.

Solution: Always connect your washing machine directly to the main power socket. As a best practice don’t use the extension board to run the washing machine.

Earthing Issues

If your washing machine is not properly earthed, it may cause the machine to trip the power.

Earthing issues can lead to shock hazards as well.

Solution: Always make sure that your washing machine is properly earthed. You can use a multimeter to check the continuity of the earth wire.

Internal Wires are worn out

A worn-out OR damaged internal wire can not only be hazardous but also make your washer completely dead due to a lack of electrical continuity.

It’s difficult to diagnose a faulty internal wire as symptoms are very generic and needs a thorough analysis using a multimeter.

You can start the diagnosis with a power cable and slowly lead towards the internal wires.

Check if the internal wires are damaged or worn out.

A lot of time, the internal wires are damaged due to rats chewing on them.

Solution: You will need to replace the internal wires. If you are not comfortable doing it, please call a qualified electrician.

Final Thoughts

It’s important to know the common symptoms that cause the washing machine to come to a dead stop.

No power and no lights on the washing machine can have many underlying causes.

Different issues may have different types of symptoms. Having said that, some symptoms may be extremely common, therefore getting the issue diagnosed with a professional makes much more sense.

Some of the issues may require a professional to fix, while others may be easily fixed at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions that are asked frequently.

For more queries on washing machines, you can always refer to our FAQ Section.