Washer Beeping But Not Turning On? Sort It In 5 Minutes

Is your washer beeping like an overenthusiastic alarm clock but is refusing to turn on?

You’re not alone! Beeping washers affect thousands of people worldwide daily, leaving them confused and annoyed.

But don’t worry; you’ve come to the right place for answers. Below, I’ll walk you through 7 easy steps to diagnose and fix your beeping washer.

To fix a washer that beeps but won’t turn on:

1. Unplug and Replug the Washer
2. Check the Power Supply
3. Examine the Door Lock/Lid Switch
4. Test the Water Inlet Valve
5. Assess the Control Board
6. Look into the Motor Capacitor
7. Investigate the Drive Motor

The tools you’ll need are:

• Screwdriver set
• Multimeter
• Adjustable wrench
• Nut driver set
• Work gloves
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Towels or rags

Ready? Let’s dive in!

Washer Beeping But Not Turning On? Sort It In 7 Steps:

Washers are complex appliances, and as such, many things could explain why yours is beeping but not turning on. In my experience, some possibilities are always more likely to blame than others. Here are the 7 things I like to try first.

#1 Reset Your Washer

When your washer is beeping but not turning on, you can try unplugging and replugging it to give it the “reset” it needs.

Wait a couple of hours before plugging the appliance back into the wall, as, in my experience, some washers can store information for a while – even without electricity.

#2 Check the Power Supply 

If your washer is still beeping but not turning on, the power supply could also be to blame. Ensure the power cord is securely plugged into the outlet and that it functions properly. 

Next, you can test the outlet by plugging in another device, like a lamp, to see if it works. A good sign that there’s something wrong with the outlet is to have your washer fuses blow. If you determine the outlet is to blame, my usual advice is to contact a professional electrician to take care of the issue.

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Find A Repair Professional You Can Trust

#3. Examine the Door Lock/Lid Switch 

Your washer’s door lock is a safety feature to prevent the appliance from operating with the door open. If the lock malfunctions, your washer might beep but not turn on.

You’ll typically find the door lock on the inside of the door or around the door frame. Inspect the lock for any visible damage or debris and ensure the lock is placed properly.

#4. Test the Water Inlet Valve

The water inlet valve controls water flow into your washer. If it’s not working correctly, your washer might beep but not turn on. The water inlet valve is behind the washer near the back, where the hoses connect.

The valve resembles a small, box-like component with electrical connections and hose ports. Instead of using a multimeter to test the valve, you can check its functionality by running specific cycles.

1. Select a rinse cycle, as it primarily uses the cold valve. If the washer fills with water, the cold valve is functioning correctly.

2. Start a new cycle and select a hot wash or sanitize setting, as both cycles primarily use the hot valve. If the washer doesn’t fill with water, the hot valve is likely faulty and requires replacement.

By testing the water inlet valve with the above steps, you can identify whether the valve is functioning correctly or needs replacing.

#5 Assess the Control Board

The control board is the brain of your washer, managing all its functions. If there’s an issue with the control board, your washer might beep but not turn on. 

The control board is typically located behind the control panel or at the bottom of the washer. It’s a flat, rectangular board with various wires connected to it. 

Inspect the board for any visible damage or loose connections. If you suspect a problem with the control board, it’s best to consult a professional for further diagnosis and repair.

#6 Look into the Motor Capacitor

The motor capacitor helps your washer’s motor start and run smoothly. If the motor capacitor is faulty, your washer might beep but not turn on. The motor capacitor is near the motor, typically at the bottom or rear of the washer. 

The capacitor is a small cylindrical or oval-shaped component with two wires. If you suspect the motor capacitor is the issue, it’s best to call a professional to test and replace it. Sadly, the replacement will not come cheap, and you might want to look into a new washer instead.

I tend to find that when the cost of repairs is more than half the price of a brand-new replacement appliance, the best financial decision is to go shopping.

#7 Investigate the Drive Motor

The drive motor powers the spinning and agitation of your washer. If the drive motor malfunctions, your washer might beep but not turn on. 

The drive motor is located towards the back at the bottom of the washer. The drive motor is a cylindrical component with a pulley on one end and electrical connections on the other. Inspect the motor for any visible damage or loose connections. 

Especially with complex and delicate parts like the motor, it’s always best to call a professional for help unless you know exactly what you’re doing. Otherwise, you can end up creating more problems than you solve.

Preventing Washer Beeping Issues in the Future

While you can’t get ahead of every problem that might come your way, there are some things you can implement into your daily routine to keep most issues at bay.

1. Clean Your Washer Often: Things like lint and paper towels can build up inside your washer and cause it to fail over time. Not to mention that a clean washer is an efficient washer. So, if you want to save some money on electricity and keep your washer running like clockwork, I recommend cleaning it thoroughly once a month.

2. Respect the Limit: All washers are rated for a maximum amount of clothes (weight) per load. If you exceed the recommended limit, your washer will wear out sooner than necessary and cost more to run. Make sure to read your User Manual to know the exact limit of your washer.
3. Act Quickly: While some washer issues won’t make things worse if ignored for a while, others are critical and require fixing right away. No one likes to spend money on repairs, but addressing problems quickly is a washer good practice that can be very beneficial.

Conclusion

There you have it!

When your washer is beeping but not turning on, you can quickly grow concerned about replacing the appliance or paying for costly repairs.

Luckily, as I hope this piece has helped you better understand, addressing the most common causes behind a washer that’s beeping but not turning on is fairly simple. More often than not, small actions, like testing your power supply and inspecting the water inlet valve, will do the trick.

Thanks for reading; if this article piqued your interest and answered your questions, please consider checking out our other incredible resources below and subscribing to our newsletter.

Happy washing!

-Craig.