Why doesn't the washing machine pick up the air conditioner?

Why doesn't the washing machine pick up the air conditioner? It is easy to notice that the washing machine does not remove fabric softener from the tray compartment - the washed items will be deprived of a pleasant smell, and the dispenser will remain untouched. Such a situation is fraught not only with a lack of aromatization and electrification of the laundry, but also with a serious aggravation of the problem, up to the complete stop of the machine. Before diagnosing your washing machine and calling service, you should independently assess the extent of the breakdown. Our detailed instructions will help you diagnose and troubleshoot the problem.

Probable causes of this failure

It is impossible to be careless with the air conditioner remaining in the tray. At first glance, a breakdown that is elementary and does not interfere with a full-fledged wash can signal serious problems in the machine or over time will turn into a serious malfunction. In any case, it is necessary to check all possible sources of what happened, starting from the “easy” ones and ending with the most labor-intensive problems. We will list the most likely and easily eliminated causes first.

Weak water pressure. Most often, the air conditioner in the washing machine does not work due to insufficient water pressure during intake. In this case, the washing machine takes a long time to fill at the very beginning of the wash, making an uncharacteristic rustling noise. It is likely that the supply tap is half open or there are problems with pressure throughout the water supply. The latter is easy to check: open the water in another place and evaluate the jets. If the problem is a weak water supply, then you will have to contact the utility companies.
Wrong choice of department.There is a special tray compartment for the air conditioner, marked with a schematic image of a flower. Often, by mistake, the product is poured into the powder compartment, which is used only for pre-washing. We study the instructions for our machine and check the cuvettes.
Clogged dispenser. Air conditioner residue can dry out, clump together and block access to the compartment over time. The problem is solved by regularly cleaning the flush channels. It is recommended to repeat the procedure at least once every two months.
Excessive use of the product. Smart modern models of washing machines are able to control the amount of conditioner taken in, and the remaining gel in the tray clearly signals that the cuvette is overfilled.

Excess leads to clogging of the flush channel, so we carefully measure the dose for each wash.

Poor quality air conditioner. We pay attention to the quality and shelf life of the rinse aid used. An expired and low-grade product is undesirable not only because of its ineffective and dangerous composition, but also because of its unacceptable viscosity. It becomes too thick and sticky, making it difficult to rinse into the drum. Therefore, it is important to assess the condition of the gel before pouring it into the tray and, if necessary, replace it or select a better brand.

If there are no problems with the pressure, shelf life and amount of rinse aid, and the tray has recently been thoroughly cleaned, then we look for the problem further. Possible sources of breakdown include problems with the intake valve. To understand more specifically what is going on, you will have to carefully consider the amount of funds remaining and evaluate other factors and signs.

Pay attention to signs of a problem

When problems with water pressure and random error are ruled out, there are only three options for further action: cleaning the inlet valve filter, partially repairing it, or completely replacing it. The machine itself will tell you which of the above is to come. You just need to pay attention to the following signs:

The conditioner and powder are partially washed out, while starting the cycle, the machine takes a long time to fill the tank. The reason is a clogged inlet valve mesh filter due to poor quality, old water supply pipes and too hard water.
The rinse aid is not washed off at all, and the machine cannot reach the required water level, displays a corresponding error on the display and does not start the wash. The set is slowed down by a completely clogged filter or a broken valve.
All detergents remain untouched, water quickly fills the tank, and the machine begins the cycle. Here everything is more complicated - the mechanism that pours water into the tray has broken down. The nozzle, which is rotated by a special cable on a spring, is responsible for “picking up” the air conditioner. If the cable breaks or gets jammed due to long-term use, the jet enters another compartment or goes by completely.

Any of these problems requires an immediate response. We outlined the solution above. You will have to clean the filter, change the inlet channel or repair the mechanism for supplying water to the dispensary. Detailed instructions for each case are given below.

Cleaning the intake valve filter

The most common reason why rinse aid is not washed out is a clogged valve filter. To restore balance, you need to thoroughly clean it of the scale layer. Anyone can do this, the main thing is to adhere to a special algorithm.

Disconnect the machine from the power supply and water supply.
We disconnect the inlet hose from the body using hands, pliers or pliers.

There is always water left in the inlet hose, so have some rags or a container ready to catch it.

We find a plastic mesh filter, clamp it with a tool and pull it forward.
Rinse under strong tap water. If too much scale has accumulated, you will have to soak the part for 30-60 minutes in a solution of citric acid and warm water in a ratio of 1 tsp. for 1 glass. Water temperature plays an important role: boiling water can completely ruin the plastic, and cold water will not provide the full effect of citric acid.

As soon as the mesh is clean again, we return it to its place, and then screw on the inlet hose. After all the manipulations, you need to make sure that there is no water leaking at the junction. Next, we carry out testing: we connect the machine to the network and water supply, turn on any program, open the tray and see if water gets into the tray.

Valve replacement

Intake valve needs to be replaced If the valve is faulty, then replacing it is indispensable. Doing it yourself is not difficult, although it is troublesome. First, you need to purchase a similar copy, using the serial number of the washing machine as a guide, and then we proceed to dismantling and installation. The instructions on what to do and in what order are as follows:

We disconnect the machine from the electricity and turn off the tap on the water supply.
We find the valve, for which we unscrew the two screws holding the top cover and remove the panel. Sometimes you need to move the cover away from you to release the latches. Owners of machines with vertical loading need to remove the corresponding side wall (we are guided by the place where the inlet hose is connected).

It is strongly recommended to record the location of the valve and all associated wires and pipes with markings or photographs to avoid errors during assembly.

We free the part from the wiring and pipes. To do this, loosen the reusable clamps with pliers or cut off the disposable ones. Don't forget to purchase replacement fixing rings in advance.
We disconnect the valve from the body by releasing the latches or unscrewing the retaining screws.
Carefully remove the part by turning it slightly clockwise.

Next, if necessary, we diagnose the condition of the cable and nozzle and repair the water supply mechanism or immediately install a new valve. In any case, installation is carried out in the reverse order: insert it into the groove with a turn, connect the wires and hoses, secure it with clamps and close the panel. All that remains is to start any washing mode and check whether the air conditioner is taken in.