Appliances

Working out whether an appliance is broken, blocked, or simply due for cleaning.

• Garbage Disposal Humming but Not Turning: Clear the Jam Safely

  A hum means the motor has power but the plate cannot turn. Here is the hex wrench fix, the reset button, and what never to put down one.

• Oven Runs Hot or Cold: Testing and Calibrating the Temperature

  Most ovens drift 25 to 50 degrees from their set point. Here is how to measure yours properly and recalibrate it, and when the sensor is the problem.

• Dryer Takes Two Cycles to Dry: It Is Almost Always Airflow

  A dryer that heats but takes forever has a restriction, not a heating fault. Here is how to find it, and why lint in the duct is a fire risk.

• Refrigerator Not Cooling: Coils, Fan, or Defrost System

  A fridge that runs but stays warm usually has blocked coils, a failed fan, or a frozen evaporator. Here is how to tell which, in order of likelihood.

• Washing Machine Will Not Spin: Lid Switch, Belt, or Drain

  A machine that fills and washes but leaves clothes soaked has a short list of causes. Work through the drain, the lid switch, and the belt in that order.

• Dishwasher Not Draining: Six Checks Before You Call a Repair Tech

  Standing water in the bottom of a dishwasher is usually a blocked filter, a kinked hose, or a clogged air gap. Work through these in order.