Appliance playing up? What to check before you call
A fair few of the faults we get called out to are not really faults at all. A tripped switch, a filter full of lint, a hose that has kinked behind the machine. None of those need a technician. So before you book anything, here are the safe checks worth running yourself, and the point where it is time to stop and call.
Start with the power
More common than you would think. Check the appliance is actually getting power. Try the powerpoint with something else, like a phone charger, to confirm the socket works. Then look at the switchboard: a tripped circuit breaker or safety switch (the RCD) will cut power to a whole area of the house. Flip it back on.
If the safety switch trips again straight away when you run the appliance, stop there. That is a genuine electrical fault and the machine needs looking at, not repeated resetting. Do not open anything up.
Washing machine leaving clothes wet or leaking
The single most common washing machine fault we see is a blocked drain pump filter, and it is a job you can safely do yourself. Our step-by-step guides cover a machine that will not drain or spin, a washer that leaks water and getting rid of a front loader smell. If those checks do not sort it, the washing machine repair page explains what usually comes next.
Dishwasher not draining or not cleaning
Pull out the bottom rack and clear the filter at the base of the tub, then check the spray arm holes are not clogged. Our notes on a dishwasher that will not drain and dishes coming out dirty walk through the rest before you book a dishwasher repair.
Fridge warm or noisy
Make sure the internal vents are not blocked by packed-in food, the door seal is closing cleanly, and the condenser coils at the back or underneath are not choked with dust. If it is still warm or making an odd noise, see a fridge that has stopped cooling and a fridge making noise, or the fridge repair page.
Oven, cooktop and dryer
For a cold oven, our guide on an oven that will not heat up is the place to start. If your cooktop has quit, an induction cooktop that will not work covers the usual causes. And for a dryer running cold, clean the lint filter first, then read a dryer not heating.
Check it is not on a recall
Before you assume your appliance is simply worn out, it is worth a quick look at the national product recalls list. Recalled appliances are often repaired or replaced free by the manufacturer, so it pays to check the model.
When to stop and call
Anything that means opening the machine, mixing water and electricity, gas, a burning smell, or a safety switch that keeps tripping is where do-it-yourself ends. If the appliance is fairly new, you may also have consumer guarantee rights worth checking before you spend anything.
Otherwise, we cover the Illawarra and South Coast, same-day where we can, with a $125 assessment fee across the Illawarra and $145 further out and a quote before any work. Book a repair or call 02 4229 3777.
