How to Fix an Electrolux Washer Not Starting

Electrolux, a leader in home and kitchen appliances, is known for creating durable, efficient, and stylish products. Its washers have an expected lifespan of over 10 years. However, that doesn’t mean Electrolux washers never encounter issues.

Like all appliances, Electrolux washers can break down occasionally and require repairs, especially if they’re not well maintained. If your Electrolux washer is currently not starting, this article will guide you through the possible causes of the problem and show you how to fix them.

Keep reading to learn how to fix an Electrolux washer that’s not starting.

Why your Electrolux washer isn’t starting

Here are the most likely reasons your Electrolux washer is not starting.

There’s a power supply issue

It goes without saying that if your washer isn’t receiving power, it won’t start. There are various issues related to the power supply that may be the cause, such as a tripped circuit breaker, faulty wall outlet, or damaged power cord.

How to fix it

Most of the time, you can fix a power supply issue by:

1. Resetting the circuit breaker for the washer by flipping it to the “off” position, waiting 30 seconds, and then flipping it back to the “on” position.
2. Plugging another device into the wall outlet to check that it’s working. If not, try using the washer on an outlet that you know does work.
3. Checking the power cord. Inspect the power cord to ensure it isn’t frayed or cracked and that the plug isn’t bent, loose, or damaged. Replace the cord if you find any issues.

The child lock is activated

Electrolux washers have a safety feature called “Child Lock,” also often called “Control Lock,” that disables the control panel when it’s activated. This prevents children and others from accidentally turning on the washer or changing its settings when playing around with the buttons. As a result, if the “Child Lock” feature is activated, the washer won’t start until it is deactivated.

How to fix it

You can deactivate “Child Lock” by either:

• Pressing and holding the “Rinse +” and “Easy Iron” buttons simultaneously.
• Pressing and holding the “Options” button for 5 seconds.

There’s an issue with the door lock assembly

Your Electrolux washer won’t start if the door doesn’t close or lock properly, or if the door switch is faulty. This safety feature ensures the door is always closed during a wash cycle to prevent leaks and accidents.

A telltale sign that the door switch is faulty is if you hear a clicking sound when attempting to start the washer. This sound is the washer attempting to engage the door lock mechanism, but failing.

How to fix it

You might be able to fix simple door-related issues by:

• Removing any laundry or other items obstructing or caught in the door.
• Cleaning detergent and other residues or grime that have built up around the door latch.

If you believe the door switch is bad, you can replace it by following these steps:

1. Unplug your Electrolux washer.
2. Open the washer’s door.
3. Remove the two screws securing the door lock assembly on the right or left side of the door frame, depending on which way the door opens.
4. Gently pull out the door lock assembly and disconnect its wire harness.
5. Remove the screws that attach the door switch to the door lock assembly.
6. Secure the new door switch to the door lock assembly and reconnect the wire harness.
7. Reattach the door lock assembly to the frame with the two screws.

The ‘Start’ button is broken

Sometimes, an Electrolux washer won’t start because the ‘Start’ button or the control dial on the user interface is broken. Therefore, when you try to run a wash cycle, the machine is unresponsive.

However, to know for sure, you’ll need to remove the control panel and test the ‘Start’ button or dial with a multimeter. We recommend hiring a professional if you’re not confident doing this yourself.

How to fix it

To replace a faulty control panel, follow these steps:

1. Check all the buttons on the control panel for obvious signs of damage, such as cracks or a stuck button. Press the buttons to see if they feel and sound normal.
2. Unplug the washer for safety.
3. Remove the control panel. You may need to remove the top panel, pull out the dispenser drawer entirely, and then remove the screws along the control panel’s top edge and in the dispenser drawer housing.
4. Lift off the control panel and disconnect its wire harness.
5. Install the new control panel, securing it in place with screws and reconnecting the wire harness.
6. Reassemble your appliance and test it to see if it’s now working.

The control board is faulty

The main control board is the brain of the appliance. When faulty, it can often result in your Electrolux washer not starting. The control board is usually found beneath the top panel of the washer.

Unless there are obvious signs of damage to the control board, such as corrosion, burn marks, cracks, or broken wires, diagnosing a faulty control board is difficult and should be left to professionals with the appropriate equipment and expertise.

Replacing the control board is also not cheap, and will likely cost hundreds of dollars, even if you replace it yourself. So, if your Electrolux washer is over 10 years old, you’ll need to consider whether it’s worth the investment or if buying a new washer would be the better option.

How to fix it

As mentioned, diagnosing and fixing a broken control board is complex and should be left to the professionals. However, the steps to replace the control board typically involve the following steps:

1. Unplug the appliance.
2. Remove the top panel to gain access to the control board.
3. Take a photo of how all the wires are connected to the control board.
4. Disconnect the wires and remove any screws holding the control board in place.
5. Install the new control board, ensuring all the wires are connected correctly. Secure it with screws.
6. Reassemble your appliance, plug it back in, and test it to see if it works.