Forcing a washing machine to reset typically involves a power cycle or a specific knob adjustment for models with physical timers. This process is designed to clear minor electronic glitches or an unresponsive control panel.
General Method: Power Cycling the Washer
The most common and effective way to reset the electronic controls of most modern washing machines is by completely cutting off their power supply.
Steps:
- Disconnect Power:
- Locate the circuit breaker in your home's electrical panel that controls the washing machine's outlet and switch it to the "off" position.
- Alternatively, you can simply unplug the washing machine directly from the electrical wall outlet.
- Wait for Reset:
- Leave the washing machine disconnected from power for a minimum of 2 minutes. This waiting period allows the internal electronic components to fully discharge any residual electricity and clear temporary error codes or memory.
- Restore Power:
- After the 2-minute waiting period, switch the circuit breaker back to the "on" position, or plug the washing machine back into the electrical outlet.
The washing machine's electronic controls should now be reset.
Specific Method: For Models with a Timer Control Knob
If your washing machine features a physical timer control knob, an additional step involving the knob itself might be necessary to fully reset an interrupted cycle or the machine's state.
Steps:
- Adjust the Timer Knob:
- Before or immediately after restoring power (but ideally while power is off or before plugging it back in), turn the timer control knob around and back to any position other than the "final spin" setting for the cycle that was previously interrupted. This action helps to re-engage the control mechanism correctly.
- Restore Power:
- Once the timer knob is adjusted, proceed to restore power to the washing machine as described in the "General Method" above (by switching on the circuit breaker or plugging it back in).
Why Resetting Your Washing Machine Helps
Resetting your washing machine can resolve various minor issues, such as:
- Unresponsive control panels
- Cycles not starting or completing correctly
- Minor electronic freezes or glitches
It essentially gives the machine a "fresh start" by clearing its temporary operational memory.
