Top 5 Common Appliance Issues and How to Fix Them
We rely on our home appliances every single day. From keeping our food fresh to cleaning our clothes, these machines work hard in the background of our lives. But when they stop working, it’s instantly noticeable—and often stressful.
Before you panic or start shopping for a replacement, know that many common appliance issues have simple fixes. Sometimes, a little troubleshooting is all it takes to get things back on track. Here are the top five appliance issues homeowners face and some practical tips on how to handle them.
1. Refrigerator Not Cooling properly
Nothing is worse than opening your fridge to find warm milk. If your refrigerator isn’t keeping things cool, check the condenser coils first. These coils, usually located at the back or bottom of the unit, can get clogged with dust and pet hair, forcing the fridge to work harder than necessary.
Quick Fix: Unplug the fridge and use a vacuum hose to gently clean the coils. Also, ensure the door seals are tight. If you can slip a dollar bill easily between the door and the frame, cold air is escaping, and you likely need a new gasket.
2. Dishwasher Not Draining
Opening your dishwasher to find a pool of standing water at the bottom is frustrating. This often happens due to a clogged filter or a blockage in the drain hose.
Quick Fix: Locate the filter at the bottom of the tub and clear out any food debris. Check the drain hose for kinks. If your dishwasher connects to a garbage disposal, make sure the disposal is clear, as they often share the same drain line.
3. Oven Not Heating Up
You’ve prepped dinner, but the oven is still cold. For electric ovens, this is often due to a faulty heating element. If you can see the element glowing in some spots but not others, or if it looks blistered or broken, it needs replacing.
Quick Fix: Visual inspection is key here. If the element looks damaged, it’s a specific part that needs swapping out. For gas ovens, the igniter is the usual suspect.
4. Washing Machine Smells Like Mildew
This is a common complaint, especially with front-loading washers. Mold and mildew can build up in the door gasket and detergent dispenser, transferring funky smells to your "clean" clothes.
Quick Fix: Run a hot water cycle with white vinegar or a specialized washer cleaner. Afterward, make a habit of leaving the door open between loads to let the drum air out and dry completely.
5. Dryer Taking Too Long to Dry
If your clothes are still damp after a full cycle, it’s rarely a broken dryer—it’s usually a blocked vent. Lint buildup restricts airflow, making the dryer inefficient and posing a serious fire hazard.
Quick Fix: Disconnect the vent hose from the back of the dryer and clean it out thoroughly. You should also check the outside vent cap to ensure it opens freely.
When to Call the Professionals
While these quick fixes can solve minor hiccups, complex electrical or mechanical failures require an expert touch. Tinkering with gas lines or high-voltage components can be dangerous and may void your warranty.
If you’ve tried troubleshooting and the problem persists, or if you aren’t comfortable performing repairs yourself, it’s time to call in the pros. At Sutton Appliances, our authorized technicians have been serving our community for over 90 years. We can diagnose the issue safely and get your household running smoothly again.
Need expert help? Contact Sutton Appliances today for reliable repair service you can trust.








