Washing machine tripping the electrics: what to do now

Stop using it

If your washing machine trips the electrics, stop using it. Don’t keep resetting the switch in your consumer unit. Switch it off and unplug it only if that’s safe; otherwise leave the circuit off. A tripping appliance needs a qualified engineer, and a hot or scorched socket needs a registered electrician.

Also covers: washing machine tripping RCD · washing machine blowing fuse · washing machine trips power.

What to do now

Don’t use it again, and get it checked, if:
  • You smell burning, see smoke or scorch marks, or the appliance trips your electrics. Stop using it, and switch it off at the wall only if it is safe to reach. Otherwise switch off at the consumer unit.
  • Another appliance doesn’t work in the same socket, or the plug or socket is hot, scorched or crackling. Stop and call a registered electrician.
  • Water is leaking from inside the appliance or is near the plug or socket. Don’t touch the plug with wet hands or while standing in water. Switch off at the consumer unit instead.
  • The manufacturer says not to use the appliance with this fault. Leave it switched off and unplugged until it has been repaired.

Switch the appliance off safely and don’t use it

  1. If it is safe to reach and the plug and socket look and feel normal, switch off at the wall and unplug.
  2. If the plug or socket is hot, scorched or crackling, or there is water around it, don’t touch it. Switch off at the consumer unit instead.
  3. Don’t use the appliance again until it has been checked by the manufacturer or a qualified engineer.

Don’t keep resetting a consumer unit switch that trips again.

Check whether your model has been recalled

  1. Find the model and serial number on the appliance’s rating label. Your manual shows where it is.
  2. Search the GOV.UK product safety alerts, reports and recalls register and the manufacturer’s own recall pages for your model.
  3. Register your appliance with the manufacturer so they can contact you about future recalls.

Why it happens

Finding the cause means opening up the washing machine, which is a job for the manufacturer or a qualified engineer. Read our safety information.

Showing an error code?

These codes are related to this problem. Codes differ by brand, so pick yours:

Related problems

Questions people ask

Can I keep resetting the trip switch?

No. Electrical Safety First says not to ignore circuit breakers tripping: unplug the appliance and contact the manufacturer, retailer or a qualified repair technician, or a registered electrician for the wiring.

Brand guides: AEG. More washing machine problems and codes, or use the fault finder.

Sources

Last checked against these sources: .

We write every page in our own words from manufacturer guidance and check it against the sources above. If your manual says something different, follow your manual. How we check.