Washing machine not taking detergent: causes and safe checks

1 Clean the detergent drawer

1. Pull the detergent drawer out. Many have a release catch, and your manual shows where it is.
2. Lift out any removable insert or siphon cap and rinse every compartment under warm running water.
3. Brush out detergent and softener residue from the drawer recess in the machine, using an old toothbrush.
4. Refit the drawer fully and run a rinse with an empty drum.

✕Don’t: Don’t put pods or capsules in a drawer that isn’t designed for them. Put them in the drum.

2 Clear excess foam and use less detergent

1. If you can see a lot of foam in the drum, too much detergent may be confusing the water-level system.
2. Use the dose on the detergent pack for your load size and water hardness. Use less for small or lightly soiled loads and soft water, and use a detergent made for automatic machines.
3. Let the foam settle, then run a hot rinse or empty wash without detergent to flush the residue out.

3 Make sure the water tap is fully open

1. Find the isolation tap or valve on the pipe feeding the appliance, usually under the sink or behind the machine.
2. Check it is turned fully on. On lever valves, “on” is usually when the lever lines up with the pipe.
3. If other taps in the house have low pressure too, the problem may be the mains supply rather than the appliance.

✕Don’t: Don’t force a stiff or seized valve. It can break inside without opening.