Water does not heat up in the washing machine: causes, troubleshooting, expert advice

A mandatory attribute of a modern apartment is an automatic washing machine. In the fast pace of life, this household appliance has become a reliable assistant for any housewife.

However, any malfunction of the assistant can cause great disappointment. Therefore, if the water in the washing machine does not heat up, it is necessary to establish the cause and proceed with troubleshooting, based on the advice and recommendations of specialists.

Diagnostics of malfunctions of water heating

Poorly laundered laundry is the first sign that the washing machine does not heat up. Therefore, it is necessary first of all to determine whether the water in the tank really does not heat up. To do this, you need to perform a few simple steps:

1. Launch laundry in water heating mode. After 20-30 minutes, touch the glass on the loading door with your hand. If the glass is cold, it means the water in the washing machine does not heat up. It is necessary to carry out a contact check before the start of the rinse, which occurs in cold water.
2. Some unit models lock the sunroof until the wash cycle is complete. In this case, an indicator of the operation of the machine is the state of the laundry, which is poorly cleaned and will have a musty smell.
3. Good results are given by a visual inspection of the parts that are involved in the heating process.
4. If the water in the washing machine does not heat up, it is necessary to take into account the design features of a particular model when checking. Some units are equipped with separate mode and temperature controls, which must be taken into account when installing the washing program.

In modern models, the deviation of the water temperature from the set value is fixed in automatic mode. In this case, after 10-15 minutes of operation of the unit, the mode stops and an error message appears on the display. Other models will have to wait until the wash cycle is complete.

Reasons for lack of heating

Despite the wide variety of models and manufacturers of washing equipment, the causes of malfunctions are considered similar for any brands of units. Experts say that if water does not heat up in the washing machine, the reason most often is its poor quality in the water supply system, that is, the presence of various contaminants and rust impurities in the pipes.

The most common malfunctions are:

1. Incorrect unit connection during installation. At the same time, the machine constantly collects and drains water, therefore, the temperature regime of the liquid is violated.
2. Damage to the electric heating element of the tubular type (TEN). Mechanical malfunctions and the presence of scale on the heater are detected after its preliminary dismantling.
3. A malfunction of the temperature sensor leads to a violation of the correct operation of the electrical circuit.
4. If the water level sensor does not work correctly, the heating process may turn on malfunctioning, so the water in the washing assistant does not heat up.
5. Violation of the integrity of the electrical circuit, the water heating system in the washing machine also leads to a heating problem.
6. Failure in the correct functioning of the control unit leads to the absence of a signal for heating the liquid.

Heating element malfunction

A tubular heater converts the electrical energy of the network into heat. With the passage of current, the element heats up, transferring the heat of the liquid into which it is immersed.

If the water in the washing machine has stopped heating, then first of all it is necessary to pay attention to the serviceability of the heating element.

It is possible to carry out diagnostics and repair of the heater yourself, if you have the necessary knowledge in electrical engineering. For these purposes, you must disconnect the machine from the electrical network and remove the back or side cover of the unit body. The location of the heating element depends on the model of the washing machine. It is usually installed at the bottom of the washing tub.

Heater Testing Technology

After removing the cover, you must first inspect all the connecting wires of the heater. Since the machine operates in increased vibration mode, damage to the insulation of wires or lack of contact is possible, therefore, the water does not heat up in the washing machine. If the integrity of the connecting wires is detected, it is necessary to replace or repair the damaged section of the circuit. All connections must be securely soldered and insulated.

Without removing the heater, first of all, the presence of resistance between the housing of the unit and the element is checked. All measurements are carried out using a tester tuned to a resistance measurement mode of 200 ohms. In the absence of a short circuit, the circuit of the element and the machine body remove the supply terminals of the heater and check the resistance between its contacts. Depending on the brand of the element, this indicator should be in the range of 24-50 Ohms. If there is no resistance, then a break has occurred.

The defective heating element should be replaced, as it cannot be repaired. It is necessary to make a replacement with a known-good element of one manufacturer or suitable for electrical parameters.

Descaling Methods

The main enemy of the heating element is scum. Its occurrence is associated with the quality of the fluid in the plumbing system. There are several ways to deal with limescale:

1. The method of chemical treatment consists in exposing the surface of the heating element and the tank of the washing machine with special solutions for descaling. Processing with acid solutions should be carried out three times a year, while remembering that the tank was made of stainless metal or plastic.
2. The use of the physical method consists in the use of magnetic type transducers. They are installed on a water pipe and serve to effectively destroy magnesium and calcium ions, which significantly increases the quality of water.
3. The technological method is based on the application of washing modes with low water heating. It has been experimentally proved that at low temperatures the formation of scale significantly decreases.

Temperature sensor malfunction

The technology for verifying the operability of a temperature sensor is in many ways similar to checking a heater. To determine why the water in the washing machine does not heat up, you will have to remove the protective elements of the structure and gain access to the sensor.

After removing the device, you need to measure the resistance at its contacts. At a temperature of 20 ℃ it should be about 6000 ohms. Then we lower the sensor in hot water, the resistance during heating will decrease. At a liquid temperature of 50 ℃, it will be equal to 1350 Ohms.

If there is no change in resistance with increasing temperature, then the sensor is faulty. It cannot be repaired; it will need to be replaced.

Control system malfunction

Most often, the washing machine is installed in the bathroom, which is considered a room with high humidity. It is condensate and water vapor that are the main cause of oxidation and destruction of the contacts of the electronic control system. Any breakdown of the control unit leads to a mismatch of signals in many washing modes, so the water does not heat up in the washing machine.

In most cases, repair of the control unit is almost impossible, even in a service center. If such a nuisance has already happened, then experts recommend handing over the old unit and buying a new one.

Washing Machine Tips

Remember that it is better to prevent any malfunction than subsequently engage in the repair of complex household appliances.

To extend the life of the washing machine, you must follow some rules:

• Load laundry and laundry detergent strictly in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

• At least once a year, it is necessary to assess the condition of the drain hose and clean it.
• To remove residual moisture, leave the appliance door open after washing. Natural ventilation will eliminate the oxidation of the contacts of the parts of the unit.
• Use only detergents for automatic devices, with preference being given to liquid formulations.

• It is better to operate the unit once a day to avoid unnecessary load.
• At the end of washing, turn off the unit from the power supply and shut off the water supply.

In most cases, when the water in the washing machine does not heat up, it is not difficult to eliminate this defect on your own. The main thing in this case is to determine in time the reason why the damage occurred. Strict observance of the operating rules will significantly extend the trouble-free operation of the home assistant.