Repair library

DIY appliance repair guides

Written to be worked through with the appliance in front of you: what to check, in what order, what the part costs, and the point at which it stops being a DIY job.

Guides: 108
Appliance types: 12
Pros listed nationwide: 873

Difficulty: Moderate45–90 minutes9 stepsRefrigerator
Refrigerator Not Cooling — Narrow It Down Before You Buy Parts
Fridge warm inside? Work through the freezer reading, demo mode, condenser coils, fan motors, a frosted evaporator and the start relay before assuming compressor failure.
DIY
$0–$150
Pro
$150–$900
Difficulty: Moderate30–90 minutes7 stepsRefrigerator
Refrigerator Leaking Water — Find the Source and Fix It
Water under the crisper or pooling on the floor? Trace a refrigerator leak to the defrost drain, water line, drain pan or door seal, with DIY fixes and costs.
DIY
$0–$80
Pro
$150–$400
Difficulty: Easy30–60 minutes8 stepsRefrigerator
Refrigerator Freezing Food — Why It Runs Too Cold
Lettuce turning to ice and milk slushy? Diagnose an over-cold refrigerator: settings, deli drawer controls, a stuck air damper, a failed thermistor and vent blockages.
DIY
$0–$90
Pro
$150–$400
Difficulty: Moderate30–60 minutes7 stepsRefrigerator
Refrigerator Water Dispenser Not Working — DIY Diagnosis
No water from the door dispenser? Check the control lock, filter, supply pressure, a frozen door line, and the inlet valve with this step-by-step guide.
DIY
$25–$110
Pro
$150–$400
Difficulty: Moderate30–60 minutes7 stepsRefrigerator
Refrigerator Running Constantly — Causes and Fixes
A refrigerator that never shuts off wastes power and shortens compressor life. Check coils, door seals, defrost failure and fan operation with this DIY guide.
DIY
$0–$150
Pro
$150–$900
Difficulty: Moderate20–60 minutes7 stepsRefrigerator
Refrigerator Making Noise — Identify the Sound, Find the Part
Buzzing, clicking, squealing or rattling from your fridge? Match the sound to the failing part — fan motors, start relay, drain pan or compressor — and fix it.
DIY
$0–$150
Pro
$150–$900
Difficulty: Moderate45–90 minutes8 stepsWasher
Washer Won't Drain — Work the Blockage Path in Order
Standing water in the drum? Follow the drain path in order — coin trap, tub-to-pump hose, pump impeller, drain hose, standpipe and pressure switch — before buying a pump.
DIY
$0–$130
Pro
$150–$400
Difficulty: Moderate30–90 minutes7 stepsWasher
Washer Won't Spin — Diagnostic Guide
Clothes soaking wet at the end of the cycle? Diagnose a washer that will not spin: unbalanced loads, lid switches, drive belts, motor couplers and actuators.
DIY
$0–$120
Pro
$150–$600
Difficulty: Moderate30–90 minutes7 stepsWasher
Washer Leaking Water — Trace the Leak, Then Fix It
Water on the laundry room floor? Trace a washing machine leak to hoses, the door boot, the pump, the dispenser or the tub seal, with DIY fixes and real costs.
DIY
$15–$150
Pro
$150–$600
Difficulty: Easy45–90 minutes plus a cleaning cycle8 stepsWasher
Washer Smells Musty — How to Clean It Out for Good
That mildew smell in a front-load washer comes from biofilm in the door seal, dispenser and pump filter. Here is how to clean every part of it and prevent it.
DIY
$10–$25
Pro
$120–$250
Difficulty: Moderate30–90 minutes7 stepsWasher
Washer Shaking and Walking — Stop the Vibration
A washer that bangs and walks across the floor during spin usually has shipping bolts, bad leveling, or worn suspension. Diagnose and fix it step by step.
DIY
$0–$120
Pro
$150–$600
Difficulty: Easy15–45 minutes7 stepsWasher
Washer Won't Start — Work Through the Checklist
Dead washer? Work through power, the door lock, control lock, water supply valves and stored error codes before assuming the control board has failed.
DIY
$0–$110
Pro
$120–$400
Difficulty: Moderate45–120 minutes8 stepsDryer
Dryer Not Heating — Electric and Gas, Diagnosed in Order
Dryer tumbles but clothes stay wet? Check the cycle setting, a lost 240-volt leg, the vent, thermal fuse, cut-off, element, and the gas ignition sequence step by step.
DIY
$5–$70
Pro
$150–$400
Difficulty: Moderate45–120 minutes8 stepsDryer
Dryer Takes Too Long — Restore Full Drying Speed
A dryer that needs two or three cycles is almost always an airflow problem. Clean the vent, test the lint screen, check the blower and moisture sensor bars.
DIY
$0–$80
Pro
$100–$350
Difficulty: Moderate60–150 minutes8 stepsDryer
Dryer Squealing or Thumping — Find the Worn Part
Squeal, thump, scrape or rumble? Each dryer noise points at a different part — drum rollers, idler pulley, glides, blower wheel or motor bearings. Here is how to tell.
DIY
$25–$80
Pro
$150–$350
Difficulty: Moderate30–75 minutes7 stepsDryer
Dryer Won't Start — Complete Diagnostic Checklist
Dryer completely dead or clicking without turning? Check the breaker, door switch, thermal fuse, start switch, belt and motor with this step-by-step guide.
DIY
$5–$60
Pro
$130–$400
Difficulty: Easy30–60 minutes8 stepsDishwasher
Dishwasher Not Cleaning — Find Out What It Is Short Of
Dishes coming out gritty? A dishwasher needs heat, water, spray pressure and detergent. Check the filter, arms, fill level, temperature and cycle choice in order.
DIY
$0–$70
Pro
$120–$400
Difficulty: Easy20–60 minutes7 stepsDishwasher
Dishwasher Not Draining — Clear the Standing Water
Water sitting in the bottom of your dishwasher? Clear the filter, sump, air gap, drain hose and disposal knockout plug with this step-by-step DIY guide.
DIY
$0–$80
Pro
$150–$350
Difficulty: Moderate30–90 minutes7 stepsDishwasher
Dishwasher Leaking — Find the Source Before It Damages the Floor
Water pooling in front of or under your dishwasher? Check the door gasket, detergent type, float switch, inlet valve, hose clamps and pump seal step by step.
DIY
$0–$110
Pro
$150–$400
Difficulty: Easy15–45 minutes8 stepsDishwasher
Dishwasher Not Drying Dishes — Why, and What Actually Helps
Dishes coming out wet? Rinse aid, water temperature, loading and unloading order matter more than most people think. Plus how to test the heating element.
DIY
$5–$90
Pro
$150–$350
Difficulty: Moderate45–90 minutes plus preheat time8 stepsOven & Range
Oven Not Heating Evenly — Map the Problem Before You Fix It
One side burning, the other raw? Separate hot spots from a miscalibrated oven with the toast test, then check preheat, door seal, elements, convection fan and sensor.
DIY
$0–$80
Pro
$150–$400
Difficulty: Moderate30–75 minutes7 stepsOven & Range
Oven Not Heating At All — Electric and Gas Diagnosis
Oven completely cold while the cooktop works? Diagnose a dead bake element, weak glow-bar igniter, blown thermal fuse or bad sensor with this DIY guide.
DIY
$15–$110
Pro
$180–$450
Difficulty: Easy20–45 minutes7 stepsOven & Range
Gas Burner Won't Light — Clean It and Get the Spark Back
A cooktop burner that clicks without lighting is usually a wet cap, clogged ports or a dirty electrode. Clean and realign it safely with this step-by-step guide.
DIY
$0–$60
Pro
$130–$350
Difficulty: Moderate30 minutes to 3 hours including cooldown7 stepsOven & Range
Oven Door Locked After Self-Clean — How to Release It
Self-clean finished but the oven door is still locked? Cool-down timing, power cycling, the latch motor and the thermal fuse explained, plus how to avoid it.
DIY
$0–$160
Pro
$150–$450
Difficulty: Moderate20–60 minutes8 stepsOven & Range
Electric Burner Not Working — Coil and Smoothtop Diagnosis
One burner dead or weak on an electric range? Swap-test coil elements, check the receptacle for arcing, test the infinite switch, and check dual-ring selectors.
DIY
$15–$110
Pro
$150–$400
Difficulty: Advanced15–30 minutes for safe checks7 stepsMicrowave
Microwave Runs But Doesn't Heat — What You Can Safely Check
Microwave lights up and turns but food stays cold? Here is what you can safely check yourself, why the high-voltage side is off limits, and when to just replace it.
DIY
$0
Pro
$150–$400
Difficulty: Easy15–30 minutes8 stepsMicrowave
Microwave Sparking Inside — Stop and Fix It Before Using It Again
Arcing inside a microwave is usually a burnt waveguide cover, chipped cavity paint, or metal in the oven. Here is how to identify and fix each cause safely.
DIY
$6–$40
Pro
$150–$350
Difficulty: Easy10–40 minutes6 stepsMicrowave
Microwave Turntable Not Turning — Easy DIY Fix
Turntable stuck? Check the setting, the roller ring, the drive coupler and debris in the track before assuming the motor is dead. Most fixes cost under $20.
DIY
$0–$50
Pro
$120–$250
Difficulty: Easy15–30 minutes8 stepsGarbage Disposal
Garbage Disposal Jammed — Free the Flywheel Safely
A disposal that hums but will not turn is jammed, not dead. Kill the power, work the hex socket, remove the object, reset the overload, and stop it happening again.
DIY
$0
Pro
$100–$350
Difficulty: Moderate30–90 minutes7 stepsGarbage Disposal
Garbage Disposal Leaking — Find the Leak Point
A leaking disposal leaks from one of five places, and which one decides whether it is a $5 fix or a new unit. Here is how to identify each and fix it.
DIY
$4–$35
Pro
$100–$300
Difficulty: Moderate30–90 minutes plus a 24-hour wait8 stepsIce Maker
Ice Maker Not Making Ice — Full Diagnostic Sequence
No ice at all? Work through the shutoff arm, freezer temperature, water filter, supply pressure, a frozen fill tube and the inlet valve with this DIY guide.
DIY
$25–$220
Pro
$150–$400
Difficulty: Easy20–45 minutes plus a 24-hour wait8 stepsIce Maker
Ice Maker Slow or Making Small Cubes — Restore Full Output
Hollow, small or slow ice usually means restricted water flow, not a broken ice maker. Test pressure, the filter, the fill tube and freezer temperature step by step.
DIY
$25–$90
Pro
$150–$350
Difficulty: Moderate45–90 minutes plus a 24-hour defrost8 stepsFreezer
Freezer Frost Buildup — Diagnose the Defrost System
Ice sheets on the freezer wall mean a door seal problem or a failed defrost system. Test the heater, defrost thermostat and drain with this step-by-step guide.
DIY
$15–$150
Pro
$150–$450
Difficulty: Moderate45–90 minutes8 stepsFreezer
Freezer Not Freezing — Systematic Diagnosis
Freezer running but food is soft? Check coils, fans, the door seal, the start relay and the garage-ambient trap before assuming the compressor has failed.
DIY
$0–$150
Pro
$150–$900
Difficulty: Moderate45–120 minutes7 stepsTrash Compactor
Trash Compactor Won't Compact — Diagnostic Guide
Compactor humming, stuck mid-stroke, or completely dead? Check the key switch, drawer safety switch, drive belt, power screws and limit switches step by step.
DIY
$20–$100
Pro
$180–$400
Difficulty: Moderate30–75 minutes8 stepsWine Cooler
Wine Cooler Not Cooling — Thermoelectric and Compressor Models
Wine fridge warm inside? Thermoelectric and compressor coolers fail differently. Identify which you have, then check ambient limits, fans, coils and seals.
DIY
$0–$120
Pro
$150–$600
Difficulty: Easy45–120 minutes8 stepsRange Hood
Range Hood Fan Weak or Not Venting — Restore Airflow
Hood running but smoke still fills the kitchen? Degrease the filters, check the damper, clean the blower wheel and check the duct run with this DIY guide.
DIY
$0–$70
Pro
$150–$500
Difficulty: Easy15–45 minutes6 stepsRange Hood
Range Hood Light Not Working — Bulbs, Sockets and Switches
Hood light dead? Get the exact bulb type right, check the socket for grease corrosion, and test the switch and LED driver with this straightforward DIY guide.
DIY
$5–$70
Pro
$120–$300
Difficulty: Moderate45–120 minutes8 stepsRefrigerator
Refrigerator Door Seal Failing — Test It, Revive It, Replace It
A leaking fridge gasket raises your power bill and frosts the freezer. Test the seal with a dollar bill, revive a flattened gasket, and fit a new one properly.
DIY
$0–$110
Pro
$150–$350
Difficulty: Easy20–60 minutes8 stepsWasher
Washer Won't Fill With Water — Find the Restriction
No water entering the drum? Check the taps, inlet screens, hoses, door lock, pressure sensor and inlet valve before assuming the control board has failed.
DIY
$5–$85
Pro
$130–$350
Difficulty: Moderate20–60 minutes7 stepsWasher
Front-Load Washer Door Won't Open — Release It Safely
A front-loader door stays locked while water is in the drum, or the lock has failed. Drain it first, then use the emergency release cable — step by step.
DIY
$0–$140
Pro
$140–$350
Difficulty: Moderate60–150 minutes8 stepsDryer
Dryer Drum Not Turning — Belt, Pulley and Motor Checks
Motor running but the drum sits still? A snapped drive belt is the usual answer. Check the belt, idler pulley, drum rollers and motor with this DIY guide.
DIY
$12–$80
Pro
$150–$350
Difficulty: Moderate45–120 minutes8 stepsDryer
Dryer Shuts Off Mid-Cycle — Overheating and Sensor Faults
A dryer that quits partway through is usually overheating from a blocked vent, or ending early on dirty moisture sensors. Diagnose both, plus thermostats.
DIY
$0–$60
Pro
$130–$350
Difficulty: Easy20–60 minutes7 stepsDishwasher
Dishwasher Soap Dispenser Not Opening — Why the Pod Is Still There
Finding an intact pod at the end of the cycle? Check for a blocked door, hardened residue, a broken latch spring and a failed wax motor, step by step.
DIY
$0–$100
Pro
$140–$300
Difficulty: Easy20–45 minutes7 stepsDishwasher
Dishwasher Spray Arm Not Spinning — Restore the Wash Action
If the spray arms do not spin, nothing gets clean. Check for tall items, clogged jets, a blocked filter, a worn bearing and the upper rack feed tube.
DIY
$0–$60
Pro
$140–$350
Difficulty: Moderate30–90 minutes7 stepsDishwasher
Dishwasher Door Won't Latch or Stay Closed
A door that will not catch, or falls open under its own weight, usually means a misaligned strike, stretched hinge cables or broken door springs. Fix each safely.
DIY
$0–$80
Pro
$140–$320
Difficulty: Moderate45–120 minutes8 stepsOven & Range
Oven Door Won't Close Properly — Hinges, Springs and Gasket
A door that sits crooked or will not shut wastes heat and ruins baking. Reset the hinge arms, replace worn springs, and fit a new oven door gasket safely.
DIY
$0–$120
Pro
$150–$400
Difficulty: Moderate30–75 minutes7 stepsOven & Range
Oven Broiler Not Working — Electric and Gas Diagnosis
Broiler dead while baking works fine? Test the broil element, check the gas broil burner and igniter, and rule out the selector switch and control relay.
DIY
$20–$90
Pro
$180–$450
Difficulty: Advanced15–30 minutes for safe checks7 stepsMicrowave
Microwave Door Won't Close or Latch — Stop Using It Until It Is Fixed
A microwave door that will not close squarely is a containment problem, not a convenience one. What you can safely check, and why the interlocks are off limits.
DIY
$0–$20
Pro
$120–$350
Difficulty: Advanced15–30 minutes for safe checks7 stepsMicrowave
Microwave Keypad Not Responding — What You Can Safely Check
Dead buttons or phantom presses usually mean a control lock, a failed membrane or a bad board. Here are the safe checks and why the cabinet stays closed.
DIY
$0
Pro
$130–$350
Difficulty: Easy15–45 minutes7 stepsGarbage Disposal
Garbage Disposal Won't Turn On — No Hum, No Movement
Total silence when you flip the switch usually means the reset button, the breaker, the wall switch or a batch-feed stopper — not a dead motor. Check each in order.
DIY
$0–$55
Pro
$100–$300
Difficulty: Easy20–45 minutes7 stepsGarbage Disposal
Garbage Disposal Smells — Clean Out What Is Actually Rotting
The smell is rarely in the grinding chamber — it lives under the splash guard and in the grinding ring. Here is how to clean every part of it and keep it gone.
DIY
$0–$28
Pro
$100–$250
Difficulty: Moderate45–90 minutes7 stepsGarbage Disposal
Garbage Disposal Draining Slowly or Backing Up
Water rising in the sink when the disposal runs means a clog downstream, not a broken disposal. Clear the trap and branch line without chemical drain cleaner.
DIY
$0–$35
Pro
$125–$350
Difficulty: Moderate30–90 minutes plus a 24-hour watch7 stepsIce Maker
Ice Maker Leaking or Overflowing — Find the Overfill
Water pooling under the ice bin or freezing into a slab? Check fill volume, a frozen fill tube, the fill cup alignment, cabinet level and the inlet valve.
DIY
$10–$100
Pro
$150–$400
Difficulty: Easy30–60 minutes plus two discarded batches8 stepsIce Maker
Ice Tastes or Smells Bad — Track Down the Real Source
Musty, chemical or freezer-tasting ice comes from an old filter, a stale bin, uncovered food or the supply line. Work through each and get clean ice back.
DIY
$25–$95
Pro
$120–$300
Difficulty: Easy30–60 minutes plus a 24-hour wait7 stepsIce Maker
Ice Cubes Clumping Into a Solid Block
Ice fusing into a block means it is melting and refreezing — from slow use, a warm freezer, a leaking door seal or a dribbling fill valve. Fix each cause.
DIY
$0–$100
Pro
$150–$350
Difficulty: Moderate45–120 minutes8 stepsFreezer
Freezer Door or Lid Not Sealing — Stop the Frost at Its Source
A freezer that frosts up, sweats or runs constantly usually has a seal problem. Test the gasket, reshape it, fix a sagging door, and replace it correctly.
DIY
$0–$140
Pro
$150–$350
Difficulty: Moderate20–60 minutes8 stepsFreezer
Freezer Making Noise — Match the Sound to the Part
Buzzing, clicking, squealing or rattling from a freezer each point at a different part. Identify the sound, then check the fan, relay, drain pan or mounts.
DIY
$0–$150
Pro
$150–$900
Difficulty: Easy15–45 minutes7 stepsFreezer
Chest Freezer Lid Won't Open — Break the Vacuum Safely
A lid that will not lift right after closing is a vacuum, not a fault. Release it safely, and learn what to do about ice-welded gaskets and dead hinge springs.
DIY
$0–$140
Pro
$120–$300
Difficulty: Easy45–90 minutes8 stepsTrash Compactor
Trash Compactor Smells — Kill the Odor at Its Source
Compactor odour comes from liquid in the bottom of the drawer and a spent charcoal filter, not the bag. Here is how to clean the ram, drawer and filter properly.
DIY
$10–$65
Pro
$150–$300
Difficulty: Moderate30–90 minutes8 stepsTrash Compactor
Trash Compactor Drawer Stuck — Free It Without Damage
A jammed drawer usually has an overfilled bag, debris in the track, worn rollers or a bent front. Free it safely and get the safety switch making again.
DIY
$0–$80
Pro
$150–$350
Difficulty: Advanced60–150 minutes8 stepsTrash Compactor
Trash Compactor Ram Stuck Down — Get It Back to Park
A ram parked partway down usually means a jam, a failed limit switch or a stripped drive nut. Release it safely without putting a hand near the ram.
DIY
$20–$220
Pro
$180–$450
Difficulty: Moderate30–75 minutes plus a 48-hour log8 stepsWine Cooler
Wine Cooler Temperature Swinging — Stabilise the Cabinet
A cooler that swings ten degrees will age a collection badly. Check sensor placement, thermal mass, door habits, dual zones, ambient swings and the control.
DIY
$0–$70
Pro
$150–$400
Difficulty: Easy20–60 minutes8 stepsWine Cooler
Wine Cooler Noisy or Vibrating — Quiet It Without Harming the Wine
Buzzing, rattling or humming from a wine fridge is usually a fan, a loose rack or an unlevel cabinet. Identify each source and quiet it down properly.
DIY
$0–$90
Pro
$140–$400
Difficulty: Easy30–60 minutes8 stepsWine Cooler
Wine Cooler Sweating — Condensation on the Glass and in the Base
Moisture on the glass or water pooling in the base is usually humidity and a door seal, not a fault. Check the gasket, drain, hinges and the room's dew point.
DIY
$0–$110
Pro
$140–$350
Difficulty: Moderate30–75 minutes7 stepsRange Hood
Range Hood Won't Turn On — Power, Switch and Control Checks
No fan and no lights usually means the circuit, a hardwired connection, a greasy speed switch or a failed control board. Work through each one safely.
DIY
$10–$95
Pro
$150–$400
Difficulty: Moderate45–120 minutes8 stepsRange Hood
Range Hood Loud or Rattling — Quiet It Down
Rattle, buzz, whine or a roar out of proportion to the airflow. Clean the blower wheel, secure the filters and ducting, and check the motor bearings.
DIY
$0–$80
Pro
$150–$450
Difficulty: Moderate60–150 minutes8 stepsRange Hood
Range Hood Dripping Grease — Fix the Cause, Not the Drip
Grease running down the hood or dripping onto the cooktop means saturated filters or condensate in the duct. Clean the system properly and stop the cause.
DIY
$0–$100
Pro
$200–$600
Difficulty: Moderate45–90 minutes8 stepsRefrigerator
Refrigerator Warm But Freezer Cold — Find the Airflow Fault
The fresh food section drifts warm while the freezer stays hard-frozen. That is an airflow fault, not refrigerant. Check the evaporator fan, damper and defrost circuit.
DIY
$0–$120
Pro
$180–$450
Difficulty: Easy60–120 minutes plus airing time8 stepsRefrigerator
Refrigerator Smells Bad — Find the Source, Not Just the Smell
A fridge smell that survives cleaning is usually in the drain tube, the drip pan or the gasket folds. Work through every source, and know which smells mean stop.
DIY
$5–$100
Pro
$80–$300
Difficulty: Easy20–45 minutes7 stepsRefrigerator
Refrigerator Light Not Working — Bulb, Switch or LED Module
An interior light that has died is usually the door switch or an LED module rather than a bulb — and a switch stuck on is worse than one stuck off. Test both safely.
DIY
$3–$120
Pro
$100–$250
Difficulty: Easy30–60 minutes plus a few days of observation8 stepsRefrigerator
Refrigerator Sweating on the Outside — Condensation on Doors and Frame
Water beading on the doors, the frame or the strip between French doors is usually humidity plus a disabled anti-sweat heater or a tired seal. Work out which.
DIY
$0–$150
Pro
$150–$350
Difficulty: Easy20–45 minutes8 stepsRefrigerator
Refrigerator Beeping That Won't Stop — Decode the Alarm
A refrigerator alarm is a door switch, a temperature warning after a power cut, or a stuck key. Work out which before you unplug it and lose the reason it triggered.
DIY
$0–$95
Pro
$120–$350
Difficulty: Moderate30–75 minutes8 stepsDishwasher
Dishwasher Won't Start — Work Through the Lockouts First
A dishwasher that does nothing is usually locked out rather than broken. Check the switch under the sink, the control lock, delay start, the door switch and the fuse.
DIY
$0–$110
Pro
$130–$500
Difficulty: Moderate45–90 minutes7 stepsDishwasher
Dishwasher Not Filling With Water — Trace the Supply
No water entering the tub means a closed stop valve, a blocked inlet screen, a stuck float, or a flood switch that has tripped. Test each before buying a valve.
DIY
$5–$95
Pro
$150–$400
Difficulty: Easy45–90 minutes plus a cleaning cycle8 stepsDishwasher
Dishwasher Smells Bad — Clear the Sources in Order
A dishwasher that smells of food is a dirty filter and sump. One that smells of drains is a missing high loop or a dry air gap. Fix the right one.
DIY
$8–$95
Pro
$80–$300
Difficulty: Easy30 minutes plus a test cycle8 stepsDishwasher
White Film on Dishes — Hard Water Scale or Permanent Etching?
Cloudy glasses are either mineral film, which washes off, or etching, which is permanent damage. A vinegar soak tells you which in five minutes.
DIY
$5–$40
Pro
$80–$350
Difficulty: Moderate30–75 minutes8 stepsDishwasher
Dishwasher Making Noise — Match the Sound to the Part
Grinding usually means something hard in the sump. Rattling means a spray arm strike. Buzzing at the end means the drain pump. Identify it before ordering parts.
DIY
$0–$130
Pro
$150–$450
Difficulty: Moderate60–120 minutes8 stepsDryer
Dryer Smells Like Burning — Stop and Find It Before the Next Load
A burning smell from a dryer is lint, a slipping belt, a failing motor or something in the drum. Each has a distinct smell. Find it before the next load.
DIY
$0–$120
Pro
$100–$350
Difficulty: Advanced60–120 minutes8 stepsDryer
Dryer Trips the Breaker — Find the Fault, Not a Bigger Breaker
A dryer that trips its breaker has a short somewhere specific. Whether it trips on start, when heat comes on, or late in the cycle points at different parts.
DIY
$20–$110
Pro
$150–$400
Difficulty: Moderate60–120 minutes8 stepsDryer
Dryer Getting Too Hot — Scorched, Shrunk and Damaged Loads
Clothes coming out scorching hot, shrinking or damaged usually means restricted airflow, a thermostat stuck closed, or an element grounded to the chassis.
DIY
$0–$110
Pro
$120–$300
Difficulty: Moderate45–90 minutes8 stepsDryer
Dryer Tearing or Snagging Clothes — Find the Sharp Edge
Holes, snags and stretched items usually mean a chipped drum, a worn drum seal letting clothes through the gap, or something caught in the lint screen slot.
DIY
$10–$120
Pro
$150–$350
Difficulty: Moderate45–90 minutes8 stepsOven & Range
Gas Burner Burning Yellow — What the Flame Colour Is Telling You
A lazy yellow flame means incomplete combustion. Some orange flicker is harmless dust. Learn the difference, clean the burner properly, and know when to stop.
DIY
$0–$95
Pro
$150–$400
Difficulty: Moderate45–90 minutes8 stepsOven & Range
Electric Burner Stays On High — Welded Switch or Stuck Relay
A burner that will not turn down or off is a welded infinite switch or a stuck relay. It is a genuine hazard — isolate the range, then work through the cause.
DIY
$8–$100
Pro
$150–$600
Difficulty: Moderate45–90 minutes8 stepsOven & Range
Oven Control Panel Not Responding — Keypad, Ribbon or Board
A dead or partly dead oven panel is often a stuck key, a lockout mode, or a ribbon cable — not always the control board. Test in order before spending.
DIY
$0–$180
Pro
$180–$600
Difficulty: Moderate30–75 minutes8 stepsFreezer
Freezer Won't Turn On — No Lights, No Hum, Nothing
A freezer with no lights and no hum is usually a tripped GFCI, a dead outlet or a failed cold control — not a dead compressor. Work through it in order.
DIY
$0–$140
Pro
$150–$900
Difficulty: Moderate45–90 minutes8 stepsFreezer
Freezer Leaking Water — Find Out Whether It Is Draining or Dying
Water on the floor from a still-frozen freezer is a blocked drain or a bad seal. Water from a warming freezer is melting stock and a cooling fault. Check which.
DIY
$0–$140
Pro
$120–$400
Difficulty: Easy45–90 minutes plus a test cycle8 stepsWasher
Washer Cycle Taking Far Too Long — Why the Time Keeps Growing
A three-hour wash is usually oversudsing, slow fill, or repeated out-of-balance retries. Modern machines extend cycles on purpose — find out which is happening.
DIY
$0–$95
Pro
$150–$350
Difficulty: Moderate45–120 minutes8 stepsWasher
Washer Won't Agitate — Top-Load Drive Diagnosis
Tub fills and drains but the clothes never move? Check the agitator dogs, the drive block splines, the motor coupler and the transmission in the right order.
DIY
$8–$60
Pro
$150–$450
Difficulty: Moderate30–90 minutes8 stepsWasher
Washer Overfilling or Won't Stop Filling — Shut It Down First
A washer that keeps filling is a flood risk. Shut the supply, then check the air dome tube, the pressure switch, a stuck inlet valve and a siphoning drain hose.
DIY
$10–$90
Pro
$150–$400
Difficulty: Easy30–60 minutes7 stepsWasher
Washer Dispenser Not Emptying — Detergent or Softener Left Behind
Softener sitting in the drawer at the end of the cycle usually means a missing siphon cap, scale in the nozzles or the wrong product in the wrong compartment.
DIY
$0–$60
Pro
$130–$320
Difficulty: Easy45–90 minutes plus a cleaning cycle8 stepsWasher
White Residue or Grey Marks on Washed Clothes
White powder, greasy grey smears and lint each come from a different cause. Identify which you have, then fix the dose, the water temperature or the biofilm.
DIY
$0–$40
Pro
$130–$300
Difficulty: Moderate30–75 minutes7 stepsWasher
Washer Not Filling With Hot Water — Cold on Every Cycle
No hot fill usually means a closed tap, a clogged inlet screen, swapped hoses or a dead valve solenoid — but modern machines temper hot fills by design. Check both.
DIY
$0–$90
Pro
$150–$350
Difficulty: Moderate20–75 minutes8 stepsWasher
Top-Load Washer Lid Won't Unlock — Get It Open Safely
A lid that stays locked after the cycle usually means water in the tub, a lid lock assembly that has failed, or a control that never finished. Work through it in order.
DIY
$0–$110
Pro
$150–$350
Difficulty: Moderate30–75 minutes8 stepsMicrowave
Over-the-Range Microwave Vent Fan Not Working
Steam still filling the kitchen? Check the grease filters, the charcoal filter, the blower orientation and the damper before assuming the motor has failed.
DIY
$0–$95
Pro
$150–$350
Difficulty: Moderate15–45 minutes7 stepsMicrowave
Microwave Light Not Working — Cavity and Cooktop Lamps
Some microwave lamps change from the outside in two minutes; others sit behind the cabinet beside the capacitor. Work out which you have before opening anything.
DIY
$5–$25
Pro
$120–$280
Difficulty: Moderate30–60 minutes7 stepsMicrowave
Microwave Heating Unevenly — Cold Centres, Boiling Edges
Cold centres and scalding edges are partly physics and partly fault. Map the cavity with a tray of water, then check the turntable, power level and stirrer.
DIY
$0–$50
Pro
$150–$400
Difficulty: Advanced20–45 minutes for safe checks7 stepsMicrowave
Microwave Shuts Off Mid-Cycle — Overheating and Interlocks
A microwave that quits partway is usually overheating behind a blocked vent, or losing a marginal door switch. Both are checkable; only one is a DIY fix.
DIY
$0–$95
Pro
$150–$350
Difficulty: Moderate20–45 minutes7 stepsMicrowave
Microwave Making a Loud Noise — Match the Sound to the Part
Grinding, rattling, buzzing or a sudden growl — each points at a different part, and only some are safe to touch. Identify the sound before opening anything.
DIY
$0–$50
Pro
$120–$320
Difficulty: Moderate30–75 minutes7 stepsIce Maker
Ice Maker Makes Ice But Won't Dispense It
Ice in the bin and nothing at the door usually means a bridged bin, a frozen chute flap or a failed auger motor. Work through it before pulling the ice maker.
DIY
$0–$90
Pro
$150–$400
Difficulty: Easy20–60 minutes7 stepsIce Maker
Ice Maker Won't Stop — Bin Overflowing With Cubes
Cubes piling out of the bin and jamming the door mean the fill-level shutoff has failed. Check the bail arm, the infrared bin sensor and the bin seating.
DIY
$0–$120
Pro
$150–$380
Difficulty: Easy30–90 minutes plus a descaling cycle8 stepsIce Maker
Countertop Ice Maker Not Making Ice — Reservoir and Harvest
Add-water warnings with a full tank, ice-full errors with an empty basket, and cubes that never release — here is what each one means on a portable ice maker.
DIY
$0–$45
Pro
$90–$250
Difficulty: Moderate30–75 minutes8 stepsRange Hood
Range Hood Fan Won't Turn Off or Starts On Its Own
A hood that runs on after cooking is often a heat sensor doing its job. A hood that never stops is usually a welded switch or a stuck relay — check both.
DIY
$12–$95
Pro
$150–$400
Difficulty: Advanced45–120 minutes8 stepsRange Hood
Downdraft Vent Won't Rise or Lower — Free the Lift
A downdraft that will not rise is usually bound by grease on the slides, blocked by something on the cooktop, or stopped by a limit switch. Check in that order.
DIY
$0–$80
Pro
$200–$600
Difficulty: Moderate20–60 minutes8 stepsGarbage Disposal
Garbage Disposal Loud, Rattling or Screeching
A rattle usually means something is in the chamber. A screech means bearings. A drumming vibration means the mounting. Match the sound before spending anything.
DIY
$0–$40
Pro
$100–$300
Difficulty: Advanced45–120 minutes8 stepsTrash Compactor
Trash Compactor Loud, Grinding or Squealing
A squeal means the belt. A grind with metal shavings means the drive nuts, and that is serious. Identify the sound before running another cycle.
DIY
$0–$80
Pro
$180–$450
Difficulty: Moderate30–75 minutes plus a 24-hour check8 stepsWine Cooler
Wine Cooler Freezing Bottles — When It Runs Too Cold
Pushed corks and frozen bottles mean the cabinet is running below setpoint — or the room is. Check the units on the display, the sensor and the ambient first.
DIY
$0–$70
Pro
$150–$400
Difficulty: Easy30–60 minutes plus a 48-hour log8 stepsFreezer
Everything Is Freezer Burned — Find Out Why
Freezer burn is moisture leaving food and refreezing elsewhere. Heavy or fast freezer burn points at a warm cabinet, a leaking seal or a defrost cycle problem.
DIY
$0–$140
Pro
$150–$500

Before you start any repair

Cut the power first, every time

Unplug the appliance before you open anything. For gas appliances, shut the gas supply off as well. Capacitors in refrigerators and microwaves hold a charge after the plug comes out.

Know where DIY ends

Sealed refrigerant systems, gas lines, and control-board wiring are licensed work. Every guide here says explicitly where that line falls for that repair.

Find your model number before you order

It is on a sticker inside the door, behind the kick plate, or on the back panel. Parts are model-specific — the number is what makes the difference between a fix and a return shipment.

Not a DIY job

Skip straight to a technician

If the fault is in a sealed system, a gas valve, or a control board, a guide will not help. Every business in the directory is listed free, with a phone number that goes to the shop.

Browse repair pros by state873 businesses across 455 city pages

These guides are for informational purposes only and were compiled from publicly available sources. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and your local codes. If you are not confident performing a repair, hire a licensed professional.