Broken washing machine: what now?

The machine is beeping, flashing or doing nothing at all, and the laundry basket is filling up. Take a breath: many breakdowns have a simple cause, and if not, your laundry can still get done this week.

What can I check myself?

1. Power: is it plugged in? Has the fuse tripped in the fuse box (Sicherungskasten)? Does the socket work with another device?
2. Water: is the tap behind the machine fully open? Is the inlet hose kinked?
3. Drain filter: water left in the drum often means a blocked filter, usually behind a small flap at the bottom front. Switch off, put a towel and a flat dish underneath, unscrew slowly and clean it. Coins, hair ties and socks love to hide there.
4. Door: properly shut? Some models have a child lock that blocks the start.
5. Error code: look it up in the manual or on the manufacturer's website.

Repair or replace, and who pays?

• Still under warranty? Contact the retailer or manufacturer first.
• Renting? If the machine came with a furnished flat or belongs to your landlord, tell the landlord: it's usually their job to get it fixed.
• Get a quote before agreeing to a repair, and compare it with the price of a new machine.
• Do you need one at all? If you're only in Germany for a while or don't wash much, a laundromat may be cheaper long-term. See Is a laundromat worth it?

Where can I wash in the meantime?

At the nearest laundromat. Wash&Go has seven: Stuttgart-Mitte, Stuttgart-West, Stuttgart-Ost and Bad Cannstatt, Ludwigsburg, Karlsruhe Weststadt-Mitte and Karlsruhe-Oststadt. All open Monday to Saturday at 6 am, closing at 10 pm (Bad Cannstatt, Ludwigsburg) or 11 pm (the rest). No appointment needed. The closest one is listed below or on the locations page.

What does bridging the gap cost?

Assuming two loads a week, 8 kg each with 30 minutes of drying:

To be fair about the discount card: it needs a €5 deposit and a minimum use of 3 months, so it's hardly worth it for a single week. If the repair drags on, or you're thinking about living without a machine, it's a different story. Details on the prices page.

How do I clear the backlog in one visit?

• Sort at home into whites, colours and darks, one bag each.
• Run machines in parallel: three 8 kg machines take the same 35 minutes as one.
• Laundry still stuck in your broken machine? Take it out soon, before it starts to smell, and bring it along to rewash.
• Bring detergent or buy it at the terminal (€0.70 per wash).
• Pop out for a coffee or groceries and come back when it's done.

How the laundromat works is explained in How a laundromat works. Note that all locations are closed on Sundays and public holidays. More answers in our Q&A.