If you’ve ever felt disappointed with how clean your laundry comes out of the washing machine, the problem may not be the detergent. You can try different detergents and still get poor washing results if the machine is no longer heating the water. Washing at low temperatures significantly reduces cleaning performance, especially for clothes made from natural fabrics.
Fortunately, checking whether your washing machine is still heating the water is usually quite simple. On high-end models, the control system may detect a heating element failure and display an error code or warning. However, on more affordable models, there is often no direct indication that the water is not being heated. Even so, you can easily determine whether the heating system is working by performing a few simple checks.
How to check If your washing machine’s heating element Is working
It’s easy to check whether your washing machine is heating the water properly. Start a wash cycle with an empty drum and select a program that uses hot water, such as Cotton, setting the temperature to the highest available level.
After 20–30 minutes, check whether the water has warmed up.
- Front-loading washing machines: Carefully touch the glass door. If the heating element is working correctly, the glass should feel warm.
- Top-loading washing machines: Pause the cycle, open the lid, and carefully check the water temperature. Be careful, as the water may be very hot.
If the water is still cold after 20–30 minutes, the machine is most likely not heating the water, indicating a problem with the heating system.
Why your washing machine isn’t heating the water
If your washing machine has stopped heating the water, one of the following problems may be responsible.
Faulty heating element.
A failed heating element is the most common cause. Because it operates at high temperatures during every wash, it naturally wears out over time. In areas with hard water, mineral deposits can also build up on the element, reducing its efficiency and eventually causing it to fail. If the heating element is damaged, it must be replaced.
Faulty thermostat or temperature sensor.
The thermostat or temperature sensor monitors the water temperature and tells the control system when to switch the heating element on or off. If this component fails, the heating element may never receive the signal to start heating. Although less common than a failed heating element, this problem usually requires professional diagnosis.
Control board failure.
In rare cases, the problem is caused by the electronic control board. This board manages nearly every function of the washing machine, including water heating. If it malfunctions, it may fail to supply power to the heating element or cause other operating problems. Repairing or replacing the control board is generally a task for a qualified technician.
Limescale can damage the heating element
The heating element operates while fully submerged in water and regularly reaches high temperatures. As the water heats up, dissolved minerals—mainly calcium and magnesium—begin to crystallize and form limescale on its surface.
At first, the buildup simply reduces heating efficiency, causing the machine to use more electricity and take longer to heat the water. As the limescale layer becomes thicker, it traps heat inside the element, causing it to overheat. Over time, this significantly shortens the heating element’s lifespan and can eventually lead to complete failure.
A heavily scaled heating element is typically covered with a thick white or gray mineral layer, similar to the one shown in the image.
How to prevent limescale and mineral buildup
Washing detergents generally include anti-limescale additives to help prevent mineral buildup. However, these additives are designed for moderately hard water and may not be effective if your water is very hard.
If you have hard water, consider using:
Special detergents formulated for hard water, such as Rockin’ Green Hard Rock Laundry Detergent
Water-softening additives used alongside your regular detergent, for example Calgon 4-in-1 Water Softener Tablets (which also help prevent odors, residue, and limescale)
