Hotpoint Wt640 Machine Seems To Freeze During Cycles
Hi everyone I have had my hotpoint WT640 for around 5 years and until recently it has been fine. It has a digital counter display and the machine seems to freeze during cycles and can often stay frozen for 10 mins or longer and not do anything. It also only works on certain programs now, doesn't always spin the clothes thoroughly and it will complete a cycle then go back to the middle or beginning of the cycle to repeat it! I don't want to replace the machine as I like it but is it possible for me to fix this or is it better to replace it? Thanks in advance
Solution Summary
AI-generated from this discussion
This thread was marked as solved. Here's a summary of the problem and the fix, generated from the discussion below.
Hotpoint WT640 pauses mid-cycle and repeats parts of programmes
- The problem
- A Hotpoint WT640 washing machine was reported to freeze for 10 minutes or longer during cycles, usually around the halfway point. During the pause it was completely silent with no movement. It only worked on some programmes, did not always spin clothes properly, and sometimes completed a cycle then returned to the middle or beginning and repeated part of it.
- Likely cause
- No single fault was confirmed. The discussion suggested possible load-balancing issues if the machine was trying to prepare for spin, and advised checking whether poor draining from a partially blocked pump filter might be contributing. Because the machine could stop completely, then restart later, an intermittent component fault such as the motor or heater going open circuit mid-wash was also suggested. The exact cause was not confirmed.
- What fixed it
- Check the pump filter if the machine is not emptying properly, and consider whether the problem happens when the load is trying to settle before spin. As the behaviour was intermittent and no definite cause was identified, further diagnosis by an experienced repairer was recommended rather than a confirmed DIY repair.
- Checks to try
- Observed that the machine was completely silent and motionless while frozen
- Noted the fault happened at various points, mainly halfway through a cycle
- Advised to check the pump filter near the front base of the machine
- Considered whether the issue occurred when gearing up for spin or struggling to balance the load
- Parts or tools mentioned
- Pump filter
Safety: Further diagnosis should be carried out by a suitably qualified appliance engineer.
8 Answers
Does it do this when it is gearing up for spin either mid rinses or at the final spin? Sometimes if they can't balance the load they can play up.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
It will do it at any point during a cycle but mainly when its at the half way point
When it is frozen what is the machine doing? Is it doing anything or stopped completely? Make sure the pump filter isn't partially blocked. It's worth checking this page too just in case it's struggling to settle some loads as that can cause it to stick for a while trying to settle them and also result in not spinning at full speed
http://www.whitegoodshelp.co.uk/washing-machine-wont-spin-just-one-item-or-very-small-loads/
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
Thanks for your replies Andy. The machine does nothing whilst its stopped, no motion or noise. Do you mean the filter on the outside near the bottom on the front?
Yes the pump filter is usually at the front near the base of the machine though I would only suspect that if the washer doesn't seem to be emptying the water properly. If it's stopping completely and going silent but then starting up later and carrying on, eventually finishing and spinning OK it would imply the pump is working OK. Certain parts such as the motor or heater can in theory go open circuit mid-wash and halt the programme only to cool down and kick back in after a while.
There is often a static heat part on the wash cycle where everything can stop for 10 mins or so, sometimes maybe without even the heater on to allow either the water to heat up or for biological detergents to get to work. However, if you've had the washer for 5 years I'd assume you were familiar with whether it does this or not.
To be honest it's the kind of fault that needs an expert repairer to try and get to the bottom of.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
Great info however, would it be cheaper to repair or replace the machine?
It's possible the fault is caused by something relatively simple, or complex, could be reasonably priced or expensive. That's the nature of this one I'm afraid.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
Okay thanks Andy
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