What is this part (loose at bottom of machine)?

This thread was marked as solved. Here's a summary of the problem and the fix, generated from the discussion below.

Loose white piece in Hotpoint NSWM 743U identified as likely transit packaging

The problem

On a Hotpoint NSWM 743U washing machine, the drum stopped turning mid-cycle while the motor could still be heard running. The drive belt had come off and was refitted. A separate white plastic object was then found loose at the bottom of the machine, and the user asked what it was.

Likely cause

The accepted reply said the loose white object was likely part of the transit packaging rather than a working machine component. The reason the belt came off was not established in the discussion.

What fixed it

No repair for the loose white object was advised. The accepted diagnosis was that it was probably transit packaging. The belt was refitted by the user, but no confirmed fix for the belt coming off was given.

Checks to try

• Back removed and drive belt found to have fallen off
• Drive belt refitted
• Loose white object found at the bottom of the machine
• Accepted reply identified the object as possible transit packaging
• Original poster agreed this was probably correct