Washer not starting
There are two versions of this symptom, and it helps to know which you have.
Soon A washer that won't start is a convenience problem unless there's a burning smell or a tripped breaker, which point at an electrical fault and mean unplugging it.
What this symptom usually means
There are two versions of this symptom, and it helps to know which you have. If the display is dark and nothing responds, the washer isn't getting power or its control isn't waking up: an outlet, a breaker, a cord, or a failed main board or power supply. If the display is on but the cycle won't begin, the washer is refusing for a reason: a control lock (Whirlpool's shows LoC or LC on the display), a door or lid that isn't registering closed, a Start button that needs to be held for about three seconds, a cycle knob sitting between positions, a delay-start that's been set, or closed water taps on a machine that checks for water before it runs. Whirlpool also notes that a new machine can be locked until it has both water lines and power connected.
Beyond those, the parts that stop a washer starting are the door lock or lid switch, the user interface board, the main control board, and, on older top loaders, a timer or a motor that doesn't respond. An error code on the display is worth writing down before you reset anything; it often says exactly which of these the machine has detected.
Checks you can do yourself
- Power and outletCheck the outlet with a lamp. Check the breaker or fuse for the laundry circuit; a GFCI outlet may have tripped and needs its reset button pressed. Make sure the plug is fully in and the cord isn't damaged.
- Control lockLook for a padlock icon or LoC/LC on the display. Press and hold the control-lock button (often marked, sometimes a secondary function of another button) for three seconds.
- Door or lidClose it firmly until it clicks. Front loaders take about ten seconds to lock after Start; check the door light comes on and nothing is caught in the gasket. On top loaders check the lid strike isn't bent.
- Start button, cycle and delayHold Start for up to three seconds; some models count down 3-2-1. Make sure the cycle knob points at a cycle, not between two, and that Delay Start isn't set.
- Water tapsOpen both taps fully and check the inlet hoses aren't kinked. Some machines won't begin a cycle until they sense water.
- ResetUnplug the washer for five minutes, plug it back in and try again. Write down any error code first so you can tell us.
Nothing above involves gas, wiring, refrigerant or removing panels.
What our technician checks
These need panels off, live electrical tests or a licensed trade, so they are left to the technician:
- Removing the control panel or cabinet
- Any live electrical test on the cord, board, lock or motor
- Repairs to the outlet, GFCI or breaker (a licensed electrician)
Gas appliances, commercial equipment, and Thermador, Miele, Viking, Wolf and Fisher & Paykel appliances: $129 + tax.
Waived when you proceed with the repair. You get the cause, the price and our repair-or-replace verdict in writing before any work.
Repairs a technician may recommend
After inspection, not from the symptom alone.
Door lock or lid switch replacement
When the display is on but the machine never locks or never proceeds. A common repair.
User interface or main control board replacement
When the panel is dark with power confirmed, or buttons don't respond and the lock is off.
Power cord, line filter or wiring repair
When the machine is dead and the outlet is good.
Timer or selector replacement
On older mechanical top loaders where the knob no longer starts the cycle.
Motor or motor control replacement
When the machine locks, fills and then does nothing, or trips a code for the motor.
Water inlet valve replacement
When the machine starts and immediately stops because it can't fill.
Brands we see with this problem
Codes, parts and access differ by brand; the brand pages cover where the model label is and what to expect.
Brand-specific repair and error-code guides
Cost, and whether to fix it
What the repair costs depends on the part, the labour and whether a second visit is needed for an ordered part; the written finding gives the total before any work. Our guides on what drives repair costs, washing machine repair costs and repair versus replacement explain how to weigh it.
Who to call
RepairWell diagnoses and repairs this in homes and businesses across Ottawa and Gatineau; the diagnostic ($89 + tax at home, $129 + tax for a business) is waived when you proceed with the repair. If the washing machine is still under the manufacturer's warranty, contact the manufacturer first: warranty repairs usually have to go through their authorized network.
When to book
Book if the washer stays dead with a good outlet and breaker, if it powers up but won't lock or start after a reset with the lock off and the door firmly closed, or if it shows an error code that returns after the reset. If the breaker trips or you smell burning, unplug it and tell us when you call. Give us the model number and the exact code or behaviour (dark display, lights on but no start, locks then stops); it decides which boards or locks we bring. The visit is $89 + tax with a written finding, waived when you proceed with the repair. See washing machine repair.
We handle this across Ottawa and Gatineau
Related problems
Washer not starting: questions
The lights are on but the washer won't start. What's likely?
Most often the door or lid isn't registering closed, a control lock is on, or Start wasn't held long enough. After those, the door lock assembly or a control board are the usual parts.
The display is completely dead. Is it the board?
Not necessarily. Check the outlet with a lamp and the breaker first, including a GFCI reset. If those are fine, a technician tests the cord, line filter and boards in order; the board is one possibility, not the diagnosis.
What does an error code mean?
Codes vary by brand, and the same letters mean different things on different machines. Write it down exactly and tell us; we look it up against the model rather than guessing.
Is a control board repair worth it?
On a machine under about eight years old, usually yes. On an older machine it depends on the board cost and the machine's condition, and the written finding lays that out.
Sources
- Whirlpool Product Help: Not starting or not operating, front load washer
- GE Appliances: Top load washer does not spin (power, lid and reset checks)
Sources checked 2026-09-24.
From the repair blog
Repair stories and guides, with real photos from our work.
Book the diagnostic
Tell us this symptom and your postal code; it helps us bring the right parts.
Pick a preferred day and arrival window online; we confirm by email once a technician is assigned.
- $89 + tax diagnostic$129 + tax for gas or commercial appliances and for Thermador, Miele, Viking, Wolf or Fisher & Paykel; waived when you proceed with the repair
- Written finding on every visitCause, price and our repair-or-replace verdict
- 90-day warrantyOn parts replaced; labour depends on the work done