10 Common Appliances Issues and How to Troubleshoot Them

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10 Common Appliances Issues and How to
Troubleshoot Them
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Table of Content

• Refrigerator Issues.
• Oven Issues.
• Dishwasher Issues.
• Washing Machine Issues.
• Dryer Issues.
• Air Conditioner Issues.
• Microwave Issues.
• Light Issues.
• Disposer Issues.
• Stovetop Issues.
• The Wrap.

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Introduction

• When a home appliance like the washer, the
  refrigerator or the microwave is not working,
  what is the first thing to consider? Like most
  homeowners, your instinct will tell you to pick
  up your phone and call the nearest repairman that
  you know. If you dont know any, youll go
  straight to your browser and look for a household
  appliance repair service near to you. While such
  a step may seem like an easy decision, great
  appliance repair experts do not come cheap.
• Are you aware that some of the problems are
  things that you can fix on your own? Well, its
  time you get a little smarter and start saving
  money instead of wasting it on repairmen who do
  nothing but just run a simple troubleshooting
  process.
• But first, you need to have a richly-packed DIY
  toolbox to help you tackle the fixes. Here is
  quick overview of some of the common appliance
  issues and I Appliance Repairs recommendations
  on how to troubleshoot them

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Refrigerator Issues

• a) The refrigerator is not cooling well
• This could be caused by the following
• The condenser coil (located behind the units
  kickplate) has accumulated dust. You need to
  unplug the refrigerator from the power source and
  brush off the dust from the condenser coil. You
  can also vacuum. Its faster that way.
• The gasket (the rubberized strips which seal the
  refrigerator door) is worn out. Just buy a new
  gasket to replace the damaged one. It costs
  40-60.
• Frost has accumulated in the defrosting freezer.
  This problem can be because of a faulty
  compressing unit or a thermostat. Such issues are
  hard to troubleshoot and youll need to call a
  refrigerator repair expert to fix it.

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• b) The icemaker isnt working
• Potential causes include
• The bale level (a hanger-like feature) is out of
  position. Just identify where the level is so as
  to switch it on. If its out of position, it must
  be facing downwards.
• The water valve is blocked. First ascertain if
  this is the case by placing your finger in the
  compartment to check for ice cubes. If there is
  none, call an expert.

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• c) The refrigerator is producing a strange noise
• There are two major reasons to explain this
• The condenser has something trapped inside it.
  Unscrew the unit to access the fan. Remove
  anything that looks foreign.
• The fan motor has an issue. Ask an expert to
  repair it. It will cost your 150-250 if you
  choose to call I Appliance Repair Toronto.

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Oven Issues

• a) The Appliance wont heat up
• You can blame this problem on technology if your
  oven is an electric one. It often has to do with
  you failing to set the timer correctly. The
  appliance is designed to follow instructions. It
  will heat at an appointed time.
• Check the timer function to confirm the time that
  you have set it. If the timer is not indicating
  time cook or delay or hold, you need to
  engage. If its already engaged but still cant
  heat up, you need to call an expert to check it.
  It may be something technical.

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• b) Incorrect temperature
• If your appliance is displaying a temperature
  that is different from the one that you have set
  or your food is overcooking, it could be because
  of poor calibration.
• You need to recalibrate the oven using the users
  manual. The manual will show you how to better
  adjust the temperature to a minimum recommended
  value (350actually). Often, recalibration
  requires you to press certain temperature control
  buttons on your cooking appliance.

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• c) Oven door is refusing to open or close
• If the door of the cooking appliance wont close
  or open, it may be due to
• The door lever is locked First unplug the
  appliance from the power source for a few minutes
  before trying to engage the door. If this
  approach fails, reinitiate the auto-cleaning
  cycle for 15 minutes before trying to engage the
  door again.
•  A problem with the hinge You need to
  disassemble the door to replace the hinge.

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Dishwasher Issues

• a) The washer cant clean the plates
• There are three main causes for this
• An obstruction by food You need to check the
  float to remove any food material that may have
  blocked it.
• A broken/fractured spray arm Repair the
  dishwasher yourself by replacing the spray arm.
  It costs 20-50 to replace.
• Overloading Try to reduce the number of plates
  that you load into the machine.

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• b) Water is not draining
• This problem can be because of minor issues such
  as
• Clogging by dirt or food deposits Check the
  drain pump to see if its clogged before calling
  a dishwasher repair expert.
• The garbage disposal is missing a plug Check to
  identify the unattached hose. Unscrew it from the
  washer and reattach it correctly.
•  

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•  
• c) A water pool on the floor
• This issue can be caused by
• A worn-out gasket or a fractured door latch
  Fixing either of the two requires expert
  knowledge and will cost you 80-150. However, if
  the issue has something to do with the motor
  pump, it will cost you 600 to replace it.  
• Too much washing detergent Pour half cup white
  vinegar into the dishwasher to get rid of suds
  deposits. Thereafter, use less soap.

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Washing Machine Issues

• a) Potential causes include
• A damaged lid switch (found on the top part of
  the washer) Confirm if its the lid switch that
  has a problem by closing it to listen if there is
  any noise coming from it. If there isnt, call a
  washing machine repair expert to fix it.  
• A problem with the transmission It may cost you
  400-500 to fix the issue since youll have to
  hire an expert.
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• b) The washer is clogged
• Sources of clogging may be debris, dirt, or
  pieces of fabric. Check the pump for foreign
  materials and remove them if any.

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• C ) The washer is not cleaning well
• This may be because of overloading or using too
  much detergent. Reduce the number of clothes that
  you feed the machine and the detergent too.
• d) The water does not agitate
• This may be because of a problem with the
  presetting. Check the users manual to understand
  the reset procedure.
• e) The washer vibrates when spinning
• This could be because the machine is not properly
  balanced. This is easy to fix since all you have
  to do is place the machine on a thick flat board
  and screw it to offer it more stability.

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Dryer Issues

• a) The machine is making an unusual noise
• This problem is very rare but possible causes
  include
• A foreign substance such as a coin is trapped
  into the motor You shouldnt try to turn on the
  motor if the clogging substance is metallic. This
  may kill your motor. Instead, call an expert to
  fix the jam. It will cost you around 85-150 to
  fix.  
• A worn-out drum roller The drum rollers usually
  make a funny noise when there is an issue with
  the idler pulley. You need to hire an expert in
  dryer repair to check it out.
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•  
• b) Clothes are taking a long time to dry
• Such a dryer issue may be due to
• A blocked external vent You need to check the
  dryers vent outside your house for clogging.
  Clear any obstruction by using a vacuum machine.
  Thereafter, establish a maintenance plan to check
  for clogging at least once a month.  
• An accumulation of lint Such a problem should be
  addressed soon before it becomes a fire hazard.
  Check the lint slot, the lint pipe, and the lint
  screen for blockages. Vacuum the areas to unclog
  them.

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Air Conditioner Issues

• a) Water is constantly dripping from the ACs
  front panel
• This may be because the AC unit is not realigned.
  You need to reposition the unit so that it slants
  downwards, toward the external.
• b) The AC wont turn on
• There are two main reasons to explain this
• A blown fuse This is common when you turn the AC
  on an off in quick successions. You need to open
  up the unit to take out the fuse and replace it
  with another one. Go with the blown one to the
  store to get an exact copy.
• Its an Off Period If you signed up with your
  power company for a discount offer during the
  high season and they gave you a limited
  entitlement, the AC may not work during an
  offseason. Call your electricity company to
  confirm this fact before calling an expert.
•  

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• c) The circuit breaker keeps tripping
• This problem means that you are overtaxing the
  circuit breaker. You need to turn off all the
  other services such as TV and the lights that are
  running on the circuit. If this does not work,
  you need to replace the breaker. They are not
  that expensive in the market.

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Microwave Issues

• If your microwave is failing to power up, it may
  be because of
• Poor setting You need to check the GFCI outlet
  to reset it by pressing the button found on the
  outlet.
• A blown fuse Start by unplugging the microwave.
  Next, switch its circuit breaker to access the
  blown fuse. Replace it with a new one. There are
  so many options on the market. If you dont know
  what to get, ask a microwave repair expert.

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Light Issues

• a) The light has gone off
• There are several reasons to explain this
  household problem, including
• The main switch is off Check the main switch to
  see if the switch is dropped. If it is, pull it
  up.
• The bulbs are blown The bulbs need changing.
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• b) The light switch is not working
• This may be because of something small that is
  lodged in the switch. You need to unscrew the
  switch and replace it with a new one.
• c) A tripped GFI
• A single GFI is mostly used to connect external
  lights. You need to check it out and reposition
  it if its tripped.

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Disposer Issues

• a) The equipment is humming
• If the machine is humming and not spinning, it
  may be because of a foreign material stuck
  inside. Switch the unit off and try to turn the
  blades mechanically by moving them with a wrench.
  You can also turn the button bolt. This will help
  to dislodge the trapped foreign material. Some
  garbage disposals come with their own wrench for
  this purpose.
• b) The disposer is heating up
• Every garbage disposer has an inbuilt overload
  sensor that allows it to shut off when the mortar
  is overworked. You need to reduce the amount of
  garbage that you put in the disposer. Then, you
  should press the reset button found under the
  unit to activate the machine.

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Stovetop Issues

• a) The absence of a flame despite a spark
• Here are the potential causes
• The gas burner has clogged You need to clean the
  burner holes with a safety pin. A needle can also
  work but avoid a toothpick since it can break
  off.
• The spark plug is covered with oil or any other
  spill The spark plug is the rod-shaped ignitor
  found on the burner. Use a toothbrush to scrub
  the spark plug. This is followed by cleaning it
  with warm water and soap.
• b) The top is fractured/broken
• This problem can be because of the heavy weight
  placed on the stovetop. You need to repair the
  stovetop yourself. A good replacement cost
  250-400. To replace it, you need to
• Unplug your stove by unscrewing it to pull out
  the cooktop.
• Install a new cooktop and screw it into position.

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The Wrap

• The above guide will allow you to fix popular
  household appliance issues at home conveniently.
  You become a repair genius just from the comfort
  of your house. In case the issue is too technical
  and the discussed solutions are not working, you
  may find it necessary to visit I Appliance Repair
  Toronto for expert input.

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The End

• For more details, please visit
• https//iappliancerepairtoronto.ca/refrigerator-re
  pair/
• https//iappliancerepairtoronto.ca/dryer-repair/
• https//iappliancerepairtoronto.ca/dishwasher-repa
  ir/
• https//iappliancerepairtoronto.ca/microwave-repai
  r/