The washing machine keeps filling with water and draining constantly, what should I do?
So your washing machine keeps filling and then starting a draining cycle, then starts the whole process again on a loop... If this is happening to you, use our guide to check what could be causing this malfunction.
THE POTENTIAL CAUSES FOR THIS FAULT:
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The machine is self-siphoning
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The solenoid valve is defective
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The pressure switch or its hose is faulty
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The pressure chamber is blocked
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The circuit board (PCB) is defective
WARNING
Before you do anything to your appliance, make sure you disconnect it from the power supply.
There is a risk of electric shock.
Wear suitable protective gloves if you need to dismantle anything. There is a risk of getting cut or injured
The machine is self-siphoning
A drain hose that is pushed too far down into the waste pipe can lead to self-siphoning. The water will enter the washing machine and get sucked down into the waste water pipe. If you want to fix this issue, you need to move the drain hose further up and make sure it doesn't go any lower than 15 cm into the stand pipe.
The solenoid valve is defective
The solenoid valve enables water to enter the washing machine. If it stays open or partially open, water will permanently keep entering the appliance. When the water reaches a certain level, the washing machine's pressure switch may trip and start the water draining. Water entering the appliance even when the washing machine is off means that the solenoid valve is defective and the component will need replacing.
Buy washing machine solenoid valve
The pressure switch or its hose is faulty
The pressure switch is the component that detects the water level in the washing machine. It is connected via a hose (a small pipe) to the pressure chamber. It is thanks to this device that your machine can assess how much water is in the washing machine. If the pressure switch fails, the machine will have no way of measuring the water level and the water will keep entering the tub. Certain models of appliances will trip and then launch a drain cycle.
Buy washing machine pressure switch
The pressure chamber is blocked
The pressure chamber is like a bell jar where the air pressure is maintained and directed towards a small tube that is linked to the pressure switch whose role is to regulate the water level. If this chamber is clogged by detergent and fat deposits, these will prevent an even air pressure and will disrupt the pressure switch's settings. As a result, the pressure switch can give the command to take on too much water until the machine overflows or the safety is eventually tripped. This chamber is sometimes accessed by removing the washing machine's panels. You can then clean it with pressurised water through the pressure switch's hose. Unfortunately, on other models, it is moulded into the tub and you won't be able to clean it.
Buy washing machine pressure chamber
The circuit board (PCB) is faulty
If you've checked everything else thoroughly, the fault is probably due to the mother board or circuit board (PCB) failing. It may be that one of the components on the circuit board is damaged and is giving the wrong commands by simultaneously activating the drain pump and the solenoid valve or it may no longer be getting information from the pressure switch.