Washing machine not heating water? Causes and solutions
Do you take the laundry out of the machine and the stains are still there? Does the glass of the door feel ice-cold during a 60°C programme? If your washing machine is no longer heating the water, you are actually only washing with cold water and soap. This is not only bad for your clothes but also for hygiene. Fortunately, the cause is often easy to find.
Make an appointment now
If you can’t find the error code or the tips below indicate that you can’t solve the problem yourself, you can immediately book an appointment so that a professional technician from We.repair can come to your home to repair your Miele washing machine.
What you can check yourself first 🛠️
Before you conclude that your machine is broken, there are a few quick checks you can do yourself:
1. The Eco programme mystery
Many people think their machine is broken when they use the Eco programme. In an Eco 40-60 programme, the machine often does not actually heat the water to 60 degrees. It compensates for the lower temperature by simply washing for much longer. This saves energy.
The test:Run a normal or 'Short/Intensive' programme at 60°C or 90°C. After about 20 to 30 minutes, carefully feel the glass of the door. Is it warm? Then there is nothing wrong with your machine!
2. Too little water in the drum
A washing machine has a built-in safety feature: the heating element can only activate when it is completely submerged in water. If this does not happen, the element could burn out.
The solution:Check if the tap is fully open and if the supply hose is not kinked anywhere. If the water pressure is too low, the machine may sometimes refuse to heat.
When do you need a We.repair technician? 🔧
Is the water still ice-cold even on a normal programme? Then it is likely that one of the internal components has failed. For these repairs, you will need a professional, as it involves a combination of electricity and water.
A faulty heating element:This is the most common culprit. The element (which looks like the coil in a kettle) can burn out due to age, or be completely encased in a thick layer of limescale. As a result, it can no longer transfer heat to the water.
Broken temperature sensor (NTC sensor):This small sensor measures how warm the water is and tells the 'brain' of the machine when the element should be on or off. If this sensor is broken, the machine 'thinks' the water is already warm and does not turn on.
Faulty level controller (Pressure switch):This component measures how much water is in the drum. If it sends a wrong signal, the machine will block the heating for safety.
Problems with the control module:Sometimes the relay (the electronic switch) on the circuit board has burned out, causing the heating element to receive no power at all.
Wassen met koud water is verleden tijd. Onze experts meten het verwarmingscircuit veilig voor je door en vervangen het defecte onderdeel, vaak gewoon bij jou thuis. Plan direct een herstelling in bij We.repair
Behind the scenes: How does the heating actually work? 💡
Did you know that your washing machine is essentially just a giant, smart kettle?
The heating element is always at the bottom
At the bottom of the tub (the plastic container where the stainless steel drum spins) is a metal resistor. This element works exactly like the coil in your kettle or oven. It gets extremely hot, and because warm water naturally rises, the heat circulates throughout your laundry.
It consumes the most power of the entire washing programme.
The rotation of the drum surprisingly uses very little energy. It is the heating of the water that accounts for 80% to 90% of your washing machine's power consumption! That is why washing at 30 degrees is also so much cheaper than washing at 60 or 90 degrees. The element simply needs to be on for much less time.
What does the error code on your display mean? (By brand) ⚠️
Is your machine displaying an error message on the screen? There is a good chance that the appliance has already detected that the water is not reaching the correct temperature. Here are the codes that indicate a heating problem:
Bosch & Siemens
E19 or F19:The heating time has been exceeded. The machine notices that it is taking too long to heat the water. Often a defective heating element or heavy limescale build-up.
E22 or E37 (or F37):A problem with the NTC temperature sensor. The sensor is not providing a value or is providing an illogical value.
AEG, Electrolux & Zanussi
E60 series (E61, E62, E66, E68):Any code starting with E6 indicates a heating problem with these brands. This could be the element itself (E68) or the relay on the control module (E66).
E70 series (E71, E74):Problems with the temperature sensor.
Miele
F20:There is a problem with heating the water. The heating element is likely defective.
F21 to F24:Error in the NTC temperature sensor.
Samsung
HE, HC, HC1 or tE:(Heater Error or Temperature Error). The machine stops the programme because the target temperature is not reached or the temperature sensor is failing.
Whirlpool & Bauknecht
F08:Problem with the heating circuit. The heating element is broken or there is a problem with the wiring to it.
F12:Fault in the heating element or defective thermostat.
Prevention is better than cure: 5 tips to avoid spinning problems 🛡️
1. Fight against limescale (The silent killer)Limescale is the biggest enemy of hot water. The more limescale builds up on the heating element, the harder it has to work to push heat through that layer. Eventually, it overheats and burns out. Descale your machine regularly, especially if you live in an area with 'hard water'.
2. Don't use too much detergentSoap residues can form a greasy layer around the temperature sensor. If this sensor becomes 'blind' due to a layer of gunk, it can no longer measure the temperature correctly.
3. The monthly boil washRun an empty machine at 90°C once a month (or use the special drum cleaning programme). This not only kills the bacteria that cause unpleasant odours but also rinses away soap residues that want to cling to the heating element.
3 Signs that your washing machine is secretly washing cold 🕵️
Haven't felt the door, but still suspect that the water remains cold? Here are the typical red flags:
White streaks on dark clothing:Washing powder or detergent dissolves very poorly in cold water. Are there white, grainy streaks left on your dark T-shirts? There's a good chance that the water isn't getting warm.
Your washing machine stinks (musty smell):Cold water doesn't kill bacteria and doesn't break down fats. This leads to 'fat lice' (a grey sludge) in the edges of your machine, which causes a penetrating sewage or sweat smell in your "clean" laundry.
Stains won't come out anymore:Sweat, grease, and oil stains need heat to release from the fabric. Does the laundry come out of the machine just as dirty as it went in? Time to check the temperature.
Is it worth fixing this? 💰
The short answer:Almost always.> Many people immediately think of buying a new, expensive appliance when their washing machine breaks down. But a heating element or temperature sensor is surprisingly affordable.
The part:A new heating element often costs just a fraction of the price of a new washing machine.
The repair:Our We.repair technicians can usually replace this part within an hour. Unless your machine is already 15 years old and shows other faults, repairing the heating circuit is the most logical and ecological choice. Save yourself hundreds of euros and let an expert take a look.
Frequently asked questions about cold washing machines ❓
Everything you need to know before deciding to call a technician. These are the most googled questions about washing machines that no longer heat up.
Technically yes, the machine will often just complete its programme with cold water. However, we advise against it. Your laundry won't be hygienically clean and bacteria will accumulate in the drum.
Start a programme at 60°C. Wait for about 30 minutes (until the machine has finished taking in water and runs for a moment) and place your hand flat against the glass of the door. Does it feel cold on the outside? Then the water inside is also cold.
If the We.repair technician has the correct part with them, this repair is often completed within 45 to 60 minutes. The machine does not need to go to a workshop; we do this right at your home.
Make an appointment now
If you can’t find the error code or the tips above indicate that you can’t solve the problem yourself, you can immediately book an appointment so that a professional technician from We.repair can come to your home to repair your Miele washing machine