After experiencing a problem with your washing machine such as an electricity outage that interrupts the wash cycle, or a fault code is shown then you have to be able to restart the machine. Many washing machines will have a reset button, but some, like Hoover washing machines, don’t have a specific button. This could leave you struggling for answers.
Unfortunately, Hoover programmable washing machines don’t have a reset function so that you don’t have to unplug it and then plug it back in when the program gets stuck. You have to go through a few steps to have the machine restart itself. It isn’t difficult but it also isn’t intuitive.
In this article, we will cover how to reset the Hoover washing machine and even what to do when the reset doesn’t work to restart the appliance plus some answers to troubleshooting questions.
What to do when there is no reset button
If you have to reset the Hoover Dynamic Next washing machine or some other Hoover model without a reset button then you only really have one option. You’ll need to unplug the machine or turn the circuit breaker for it off. You’ll need to leave it switched off for some time since the inboard computer will remember where the cycle is and restart it from that point when you turn it back on.
You may need to leave it for a few hours to let the power fully discharge so that it will properly reset and be able to restart cleanly. Before you plug it back in, make sure to set the program dial to anything other than the “Final Spin” setting. If your machine has digital controls then set it to anything other than the “Spin” setting.
Before you do turn it off you should check a few things first to understand why the programme is stuck. For instance, if there is a power outage to the washing machines then the computer will remember where it was in the cycle and resume as soon as the lights come back on. If the electricity was cut briefly then you don’t have to do anything. Check the circuit breaker to see if it tripped before you do anything.
If you have electricity and the circuit breaker is active then you should check if the door came ajar as this will stop the machine. Open and close the door if you are able and see if it starts back up. Turn the dial off and then turn it back to the cycle you want and hit the “Start” button to see if it resumes.
If you tried all of these above steps to no avail and you did a restart that had no effect then you will have to run a diagnostics test to see what the problem is.
How to determine the problem and possible fixes
Although these appliances don’t always have a reset button or even a reset function, they do have a diagnostic mode setting to run a test to find out what the error is. With some Hoover washing machines, the test mode will also act as a way to clear errors on your appliance once you have found out what the fault was for the problem.
Other times it will give you the code for the exact problem the machine is facing. The operation is quite simple and is as follows:
- Push the button that is the furthest to the left of the dashboard and hold it
- Then turn the programme dial to two clicks past the “Off” position by going clockwise
- Continue to hold the button down for 3 seconds after you’ve moved the dial, but let it go before you reach 5 seconds
- All the LED lights should come on if this was done correctly
- Press the “Start/Pause” button to activate the test mode for diagnostics
Once you have finished this procedure, the machine may end up resetting itself to the factory default settings wherein you can then reprogram the machine if it is programmable. If it doesn’t then there is a problem that you’ll need to fix. You will be given an error code after the diagnostic mode has been completed if this is the case. Use this number to figure out what the problem is and how to fix it.
How to troubleshoot a malfunction
When the machine is having trouble restarting then there is clearly a malfunction. You’ll need to get the error code to be able to know how to proceed. Some fixes can be done by you since they can be quite simple, while others will need a repairman to do a service call since the repair is more complex.
There are some common problems that many Hoover washing machines have so it makes sense to start with what these may be. You’ll get a more comprehensive list of all the error codes in your owner’s manual but many will require a repair technician to come. Let’s start with some of the more common ones that will help you understand what your next steps should be.
Fault code E3 – Problem draining properly
It is usually after the spin cycle completes that the washer will stop in the middle of its cycle because it will have a problem discharging the water. If it is a matter of restarting the machine, it can do so and resume if there are no actual problems causing the washer to not drain.
However, there are some common reasons that a Hoover washing machine isn’t draining so you’ll have to go through the process of elimination when the appliance doesn’t restart and resume draining.
The first thing to check is the sump drain hose. This is the flexible and corrugated hose that drains the water from the tub into your house drain pipes. Since it is flexible it is susceptible to getting bent or kinked. When this happens, the water can’t drain and reverses itself back into the tub which signals the computer to stop the cycle. Check for any kinks and straighten out the hose if it is kinked.
The drain hose may also be clogged since it is corrugated. Sometimes foreign objects will pass through the filter and end up stuck in the sump hose. Also, since it is corrugated it tends to get a build-up of sludge that obstructs the water. Take the hose off of the washer after draining the water from the tub and flush it out with a garden hose.
You should check the drain pipe if there is nothing to be found in the sump hose. Usually, the culprit can be found in the U-bend as the purpose is to trap debris there. If the object is large enough, or it has collected a lot of lint and sludge from the appliance it will get blocked. Remove the U-bend and inspect it for any obstructions. If this is clear then the issue likely lies within the drain pump filter inside the washer.
Before you can check the filter inside the washer itself you will need to manually drain the standing water from within the drum.
How to manually drain a Hoover
- Disconnect the washer from the mains by unplugging it or shutting down the circuit breaker
- Shut off the incoming water supply
- Locate the access panel at the lower right of the washer and open it up
- With a towel and shallow receptacle ready, turn the cover cap for the drain pump filter slightly counter-clockwise until water slowly comes out
- Once all the water has been removed, pull the filter (also called the coin trap) out of the housing and inspect it
- Remove any blockages or other debris from the filter
- Clear out and inspect the housing as well with a sponge and look for things such as coins or small socks that could have blocked the lint filter
- Replace the cover cap and close the service flap
The programme should be cleared by now after being left unplugged for some time. Once you reconnect the power, set the dial to drain and see if it starts working. If you cleared some obstructions this should solve the problem.
If there were no obstructions and the problem persists then it is likely a faulty pump and you will need to call an appliance service technician to replace it.
Error code E04 – Too much water
There is a sensor inside the tub of the washing machine that monitors how much water is present. There shouldn’t be too much since this can cause it to flood so it shuts down when the sensor is activated.
The usual cause of this sensor being activated is not too much water, ironically. It is very common for it to be tripped when there are too many suds in the tub. When you use too much detergent or the wrong type for your Hoover washing machine then this will cause it to get too foamy.
Another common reason for it to fill up too much is if there is a leak somewhere and the water fills the tub when it shouldn’t.
Error code E06 – Unbalanced load
This is another human error that causes your machine to shut down mid-cycle. If you overload the machine then when it hits the spin cycle, it will get unbalanced. It shuts down to make sure the motor doesn’t get burned out or that the machine doesn’t fall over and get damaged.
To clear this error, take some clothes out of the washing machine and see if it resumes normally.
Error code E08 – Motor problems
When the machine won’t spin and resetting it doesn’t jump start it to get it to resume then there is likely a motor issue. If you see the E08 code when the LED lights flash 8 times then this means that you have to check the motor.
Before you check the motor with a multimeter, look for some other problems that could have caused the washing machine to stop spinning.
For instance, if the pump filter is slightly clogged then this can affect the spinning cycle and set off the error code. Or, you may have simply set the wash to the wrong programme setting leaving your clothes sopping wet which causes the machine to stop spinning due to the weight. An example would be if you chose the quick wash programme for dense and heavy clothes that remained wet since this setting uses a low-speed spin.
If those are not the issues then you will need to call in for repairs since the motor may have faulty wiring or need to be replaced.
Error code E16 – Water heater or heating element issues
Unfortunately, if you get an E16 code when the LED lights flash 16 times, then this is an issue with the water heater not working and you will need to call in for service. It is helpful to know what the problem is before you call though so you should check the motor to let them know this is the issue.
If the heater isn’t working at all then you are likely getting cold water and the clothes are not getting properly cleaned. If the temperature is too high because of a faulty heater then this will cause the machine to shut down. If you are able to access it, test the heater by using a multimeter to see if it is faulty.
It could be because the carbon brushes are worn out or there is faulty wiring. Another cause is a broken heating element.
Final Word
Although there is no reset button, restarting your machine is not difficult. The difficult part is identifying what went wrong when it won’t resume after restarting. Following the above steps should point you in the right direction, however. Hopefully, you found all the answers to your Hoover washing machine concerns and can move on with your life!
