Help · Free DIY guides
Fix it yourself. Or call us.
Step-by-step troubleshooting for the appliance problems we get called about most. Each guide tells you exactly what to check, in what order, and when to stop and call a pro.
- Refrigerator
Fridge Not Cooling?
A warm fridge with a working freezer almost always points to one of four things: a failed evaporator fan, a stuck defrost system, a frosted-over coil, or a bad damper. Work through these checks in order — most homeowners can identify the cause in under 15 minutes. If your freezer is also warm, you're looking at a compressor, start relay, or sealed-system issue and you'll want a tech.
7 steps · 10–15 min - Washer
Washer Won't Drain?
If your washer finished a cycle but the tub is full of water, don't panic — and don't run another cycle. Nine times out of ten this is a clogged drain pump filter (front-loaders) or a sock stuck in the pump (top-loaders). Both are home-fixable in 15 minutes if you have a towel and a screwdriver.
7 steps · 15–20 min - Dryer
Dryer Not Heating?
A dryer that tumbles but doesn't heat is sending you a clear message: something in the heating circuit failed open. Almost always it's a thermal fuse that blew because the vent is clogged with lint. Fix the vent first or you'll just blow another fuse.
8 steps · 30–45 min - Dishwasher
Dishwasher Not Draining?
Standing water in the bottom of your dishwasher is almost never a broken pump — it's usually one of five small things you can fix in 10 minutes. Work through them in order before paying for a service call.
6 steps · 10–15 min - Oven
Oven Not Heating?
An oven that won't heat usually points to one of four things: a burned-out bake element (electric), a weak igniter (gas), a failed temperature sensor, or — on the worst day — a bad control board. The first three are easy to check yourself in 20 minutes.
6 steps · 20–30 min - Ice Maker
Ice Maker Not Working?
Ice makers fail in three patterns: no ice at all, slow ice, or bad ice (hollow, small, or cloudy cubes). Each pattern points to a different cause. Work through these checks before assuming the ice maker module is dead — most fixes are $0 to $40.
6 steps · 10–15 min - Refrigerator
Fridge Leaking Water?
A leaking fridge has only a few possible water sources: the defrost drain, the water supply line, the inlet valve, the icemaker fill tube, or the drain pan. The location of the puddle tells you which one. Track the water back to its source before you start tearing things apart.
6 steps · 10–20 min - Ice Maker
Ice Maker Not Making Ice?
If your ice maker has stopped completely, the problem is almost always one of five things — and four of them are free to fix. Run the diagnostic in order before you assume the icemaker module is dead.
6 steps · 5–10 min - Garbage Disposal
Garbage Disposal Jammed or Humming?
A humming disposal that won't spin is jammed — almost always on a piece of bone, fruit pit, or silverware. Don't ignore the hum: leaving the motor energized against a locked rotor will burn it out in under a minute. Cut the power, free the rotor, hit reset.
6 steps · 5–10 min - Washer
Washer Leaking Water?
A leaking washer can flood a laundry room fast. The good news: 80% of washer leaks come from one of four spots, and you can identify which by where the water shows up. Here's the order to check.
6 steps · 10–15 min - Dryer
Dryer Won't Spin?
When the drum won't turn but the motor still hums, the drive belt has snapped. It's the most common dryer repair after vent cleaning, the part is $15–$25, and it's a one-hour job with hand tools.
7 steps · 45–60 min - Dishwasher
Dishwasher Not Cleaning Dishes?
If your dishwasher runs a full cycle but the dishes come out dirty, filmy, or gritty, the machine isn't broken — it's underperforming. Modern dishwashers depend heavily on water temperature, filter cleanliness, spray arm flow, and detergent quality. Fix those four and 90% of 'won't clean' calls go away.
6 steps · 10–15 min - Oven
Oven Temperature Off?
If your oven is consistently off temperature — burning cookies, undercooking roasts, or swinging more than ±25°F — you've got a calibration drift or a failing temperature sensor. Both have easy fixes.
6 steps · 30–60 min (includes 30-min preheat) - Microwave
Microwave Runs But Doesn't Heat?
A microwave that runs but doesn't heat has a failure in the high-voltage circuit — magnetron, diode, capacitor, or transformer. Unlike most appliance repairs, this one is NOT a DIY job: the HV capacitor stores a lethal charge even after the microwave is unplugged. Here's what's actually wrong, and when it's worth fixing vs. replacing.
5 steps · 5 min triage - Freezer
Freezer Not Freezing?
A freezer that won't hold 0°F has one of five problems — and the order you check them in matters. Start with the cheapest checks (door seal, coils) before assuming the compressor is failing.
6 steps · 15–20 min - Cooktop
Cooktop Burner Not Working?
When one cooktop burner stops working but the others are fine, you've got a localized failure — usually a $20–$80 part swap. The right fix depends on whether you've got gas, coil electric, smooth-top electric, or induction.
7 steps · 20–30 min
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By appliance
- Refrigerator Repair
- Washer Repair
- Dryer Repair
- Oven Repair
- Range Repair
- Dishwasher Repair
- Freezer Repair
- Ice Maker Repair
- Wine Cooler Repair
- Microwave Repair
- Cooktop Repair
- Stove Repair
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Frequently asked questions
Which appliance problems are safe to fix myself?
Cleaning condenser coils, clearing a dryer vent, unclogging a washer drain filter, reseating a dishwasher spray arm, and resetting a tripped control board are all safe DIY jobs. Anything that requires opening a sealed refrigerant system, working on a gas line, or bypassing a safety switch should go to a licensed technician.
How do I know when to stop troubleshooting and call a technician?
Stop if you smell gas or burning insulation, see water near an electrical component, find a scorched wire or connector, or if the guide's last step does not restore normal operation. Continuing past those points risks injury and usually adds parts cost.
Where do I find my appliance model number?
Refrigerators: inside the fresh-food compartment on the left wall or ceiling. Washers and dryers: under the lid or inside the door opening. Dishwashers: on the tub edge behind the door. Ranges and ovens: behind the storage drawer or on the door frame. Photograph the plate before you call.
Does using these guides void my warranty?
Basic maintenance such as cleaning coils or filters never voids a warranty. Disassembling a sealed system or replacing an electronic control yourself can. If your unit is still under manufacturer warranty, check the terms before removing any panel.
What does it cost if I need a technician after trying a guide?
Residential diagnostics are a flat $149 trip fee, waived when you approve the repair. Commercial equipment is a $199 trip charge, also waived with any repair service. You approve the full repair price before work starts.