Category: Appliances

Most of us feel annoyance if certain tech issues happen with our smartphones, our laptops, our televisions, or our games consoles. It’s another thing entirely when an appliance that we rely on goes down. For example, if our oven breaks, our washing machine is throwing up error codes, or our smart boiler stops working, this can have a tangible impact on how you live from day to day, and that can be a problem. Sure, you could likely do a few days without hot water, but ultimately a fix needs to be found.

Now, it’s important to find professional help where you most need it. No one would suggest you repair a boiler from the inside out yourself unless you have qualifications in electrical work or plumbing, because the safety risk is too high. But if the issues are surface level or there may be common fixes, it’s worth considering a few steps you can take. If they work, great! If not, call in the professionals.

With that in mind, let’s consider four surefire methods to follow if a household-critical appliance goes down:

Assess The Issue’s Severity

It’s easy to go gung-ho into fix-everything mode, because fixing the appliances in your house is fun, and your consumer right. But before attempting any fixes, it’s wise to inspect the severity of the issue. If the appliance is giving off strange noises, producing smoke, or posing an immediate safety hazard (smells are a bad sign too), it’s best to avoid the urge to tamper with it. 

In these cases, you should absolutely unplug the appliance (turn off the fusebox if you’re worried), and seek professional assistance. However, if the problem seems minor, such as a display error or a temporary malfunction, you may be able to resolve it yourself.

Refer To The Manual

Most appliances will come with a user manual that offers helpful troubleshooting information. Not all information is there for every issue, but in general you can consult the manual for guidance on common issues and potential solutions. If you don’t have the physical manual, you may be able to find it online by searching for the appliance model and “user manual,” sometimes downloadable as a PDF. 

In this case, you may see a basic fix, or even identify an error on your part. Perhaps you accidentally placed an appliance under a too-heavy load (like cramming many super-hard vegetables in a blender and wearing out the motor), or maybe the fuse was overloaded and simply blew. Either way, the manual can help with basic issues, and also give you safety advice, like never removing a certain panel unless you’re a qualified electrician.

Check Certain Error Codes Online

If your appliance is displaying an error code and you can’t find particular help for it in the manual you can try searching for it online. Most manufacturers have online resources or forums where users share their experiences and solutions for specific error codes. Some common issues may even be carefully outlined by third parties, such as dealing with the common Samsung SUD error code for washing machines. 

Through this insight, you might find helpful tips or workarounds that could resolve the issue without the need for that annoying professional callout charge. That being said, stay cautious when following advice from unofficial sources, as improper fixes could potentially cause further damage. Check the site for their credentials, and if a vague forum post seems to assert something over the manual, it’s probably best not to try it.

Work On A Substitute For Now

While you’re fixing the issue or waiting for a professional repair, it’s wise to consider temporary substitutes to keep your life on track. For example, if your washing machine is out of order, you could head to the local laundromat, wear that pair of jeans once or twice more than you wanted to, or just hand wash the items (don’t worry, you’re hardly going to be the first). 

If your oven is malfunctioning, you can easily purchase a simple slow cooker, hot plate, microwave, or outdoor grill depending on your tastes or how long you expect the issue to last. This means that the annoyance of dealing with the issue is halved, because it’s not materially impacting your life. Then, the focus of the repair is mostly about getting the value out of the appliance you’ve purchased, or referring it back to a warranty and repair program for a full refund. That in itself can be a comfortable place to start.

WIth this advice, you’ll be certain to follow household-critical appliance maintenance care, while still living your life well despite this frustration. It will also refine your skills as a general homeowner, and there’s something positive to be said for that.