Help & advice
A few things to try
before you book a repair.
Sometimes an appliance that seems broken just needs a quick check. Here are the checks that can save a callout, what the common faults usually mean, and the care that helps things last, plus answers to the questions people often ask us.
Before you book
Four simple checks to try first.
Check the power first
It sounds obvious, but plenty of “dead” appliances turn out not to be. Try the socket with something else, check the plug fuse, and look at your consumer unit for a tripped switch. If one trip keeps happening, stop and book a repair. That’s the appliance telling you something.
Clear the filter
A washing machine that won’t drain or a dryer that won’t heat is very often a blocked filter. The pump filter behind the little flap at the bottom of a washer, and the lint filter in a dryer, are yours to clean, and worth checking before anything else.
Make sure the door is really shut
Most machines won’t start unless the door catch clicks home. If the latch is worn or something’s in the way, the programme simply won’t begin, and it can look like a bigger fault than it is.
Give it a proper reset
Switch off at the wall, wait a full minute, switch back on. It clears a surprising number of one-off electronic sulks. If the same fault comes straight back, it’s a real one. Book it in.
Tried all four and it’s still not right? Then it’s probably a real fault. Book a one-off repair, and once it’s working again you can get it covered.
What’s it doing?
What the common signs usually mean.
The tell-tale signs for each appliance, and what they usually point to. Each one links to the full list of parts and typical repair costs.
Make them last
Simple care that helps your appliances last.
A little upkeep keeps appliances working longer, better for your wallet, and for the pile of white goods the country throws away every year. None of this needs a tool.
Run a hot maintenance wash
Once a month, run your washing machine empty on the hottest cycle (a cup of soda crystals helps). It clears the detergent and grease that build up out of sight, keeps smells away, and takes load off the pump and seals.
Empty the lint filter every time
A tumble dryer’s lint filter should be cleared after every load. A clogged one makes the dryer work far harder: longer cycles, higher bills, more wear on the heater, and a genuine fire risk. Thirty seconds, every time.
Don’t overload
Cramming a washer or dryer is the fastest way to wear out bearings, motors and door seals. If you have to force the door, take some out. The machine will thank you and so will your energy bill.
Descale in hard-water areas
Limescale is the quiet killer of heaters and pumps in dishwashers and washing machines. If you’re in a hard-water part of the country, descale every few months. It protects exactly the parts that are dear to replace.
Let the fridge breathe
Don’t push a fridge freezer tight against the wall or block the vents inside. The compressor has to work harder and runs hotter. Check the door seals close cleanly too; a tired seal means the motor never really rests.
Wipe the seals
The rubber door seal on a washer, dishwasher or oven collects grime and splits where it’s left dirty. A regular wipe keeps it supple, stops leaks, and puts off a replacement that would otherwise creep up on you.
Questions and answers
Your questions, answered.
If yours isn’t here, call 0203 606 0916, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.
Is there a catch?
The main one is a 60-day waiting period on each appliance before you can book a repair on it. It stops people signing up with a machine that’s already broken, which is what keeps the price where it is. Beyond that, there’s a short list of things the plan doesn’t cover, set out in full on our what-we-don’t-cover page, so you can read every one before you pay anything.
Is this insurance or a warranty?
No. Fix It Homecare is an extended cover plan: a service agreement where we repair your appliances, and replace them if they can’t be fixed, in return for a regular payment. It isn’t an insurance policy and it isn’t a manufacturer’s warranty. What the plan does and doesn’t do is set out in full in our terms and on this site, and if you’d like the detail before you commit, ring us on 0203 606 0916 and ask.
Can I cover an appliance that’s already broken?
No. A fault that exists before you take cover out isn’t covered, and there’s a 60-day waiting period on every appliance you add. If something is broken today, book a one-off repair instead. That’s a separate service, and you can book one straight away.
How old can my appliances be?
We don’t turn appliances away on age. If your machine is old enough that replacing it makes more sense than covering it, we’ll say so rather than sell you a plan.
What happens when I report a fault?
You ring the UK helpdesk or use the repair form on our website. We take the make, model and serial number and a description of what it’s doing. If it’s something you can fix in two minutes (a blocked filter, a tripped switch) we’ll tell you that instead of booking a visit. Otherwise we book an engineer, they diagnose it on site, and they carry the common parts with them.
Do I pay anything when the engineer comes out?
No. Parts, labour and the callout are all in the price of your plan, and there’s no charge on the doorstep. If a fault turns out to be one of the things the plan doesn’t cover, we’ll tell you before any work starts and quote you for a one-off repair instead. You won’t be charged for that visit.
What if it can’t be repaired?
If our engineer decides the appliance can’t be economically repaired, we replace it. We’ll talk you through what the replacement is before it’s ordered.
How many appliances can I put on one plan?
Up to nine. The price per appliance falls as you add more: one is £9.99 a month, nine is £59.99. You can see every price on our cover page.
Can I cancel?
Yes. You can cancel within the first 14 days for a full refund, for any reason, and at any time after that with no fee and no minimum term. If you’ve paid ahead, we refund the whole months you haven’t used. It’s all set out in our terms, which you can read before you take out a plan.
Do you cover appliances in a rented property?
We cover domestic appliances in a home you live in. If you’re a landlord covering appliances in a property you let out, ring us first. It depends on the arrangement, and we’d rather check with you before you pay than have a disagreement later.
Which brands do you work on?
All the mainstream domestic makes. If you’ve got something unusual or imported, ring us with the model number before you sign up and we’ll tell you honestly whether we can get parts for it.
Are you available at weekends?
The helpdesk is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm. We’re not a 24-hour service. If you need help at night or at weekends, some larger providers do offer it, and that’s a fair reason to choose one of them instead.
Still not right? We’re here to help.
Book a one-off repair, and think about cover for the future once it’s working again. Either way, there’s no charge for advice over the phone.