Quick Answer
The 10 most common appliance faults in Melbourne are: fridge not cooling, washing machine not draining, dishwasher not cleaning, dryer not heating, oven uneven heat, rangehood poor suction, cooktop not igniting, fridge making noise, washing machine vibrating, and dishwasher not draining.
These 10 faults account for over 80% of all call-outs across Melbourne's eastern suburbs. Keep reading for the causes and what to check first.
Appliances break down at the worst possible times — right before a dinner party, on the hottest day of summer, or when the laundry pile can't wait. The good news is that most breakdowns aren't random. The same 10 faults come up again and again across every suburb we service.
This guide, written by Dishank Patel (Lead Technician, DP Electric), explains what each problem looks like, what causes it, and what you can safely check yourself before calling a technician.
80%+
of repairs are one of these 10 faults
1 visit
is all most repairs need to complete
40+
brands serviced across Melbourne
Fridge Repair
Fridge Not Cooling
The fridge runs and the motor hums — but the inside is warm and food is spoiling faster than it should.
What Causes This
- Dirty condenser coils restricting heat exchange
- Faulty evaporator or condenser fan motor
- Refrigerant leak (gas loss over time)
- Failed compressor
- Blocked or frozen defrost drain
Check This First (Safe DIY)
Pull the fridge away from the wall and look at the coils on the back. If they're coated in dust, carefully vacuum them — this single fix resolves around 15% of all cooling complaints without a technician.
Washing Machine Repair
Washing Machine Not Draining
The wash cycle completes but water sits in the drum, or the machine stops and displays an error mid-cycle.
What Causes This
- Blocked drain filter — most common, check this first
- Kinked or crushed drain hose behind the machine
- Failed drain pump motor
- Door latch fault stopping the spin cycle
- Control board fault triggering a safety lockout
Check This First (Safe DIY)
Find the small rectangular panel at the bottom front of the machine. Place a towel underneath, unscrew the filter cap slowly, and drain the water. You'll likely find lint, coins, or debris blocking the pump.
Dishwasher Repair
Dishwasher Not Cleaning Properly
Dishes come out with food residue, glasses are cloudy, or wash results are noticeably worse than before.
What Causes This
- Spray arm holes blocked by mineral deposits or food
- Clogged filter at the base of the tub
- Water not reaching wash temperature — heating element fault
- Water inlet valve not fully opening
- Incorrect detergent type or overloading
Check This First (Safe DIY)
Remove the spray arms and rinse under a tap — use a toothpick to clear each spray hole. Then clean the filter at the bottom of the tub. Run a short hot cycle with dishwasher cleaner. If results don't improve, the heating element needs testing.
Dryer Repair
Dryer Not Heating
The drum turns and the machine sounds normal — but clothes come out damp after a full cycle because there is no heat.
What Causes This
- Blown thermal fuse — triggered by overheating
- Blocked lint vent duct preventing airflow (fire hazard)
- Failed heating element (electric dryers)
- Faulty gas valve or igniter (gas dryers)
- Thermostat or thermistor failure
Check This First (Safe DIY)
Check the external vent flap on your outside wall while the dryer runs. It should open freely — if it doesn't move or is clogged with lint, the vent is blocked. A blocked vent is the leading cause of thermal fuse failures and dryer fires. Do not run the dryer again until cleared.
Dryer not heating? A blocked vent is a fire risk — don't delay.
Same-day service available across Melbourne's eastern suburbs.
Oven Repair
Oven Not Heating Evenly
Food burns on one side and stays undercooked on the other, or the oven takes significantly longer to reach temperature.
What Causes This
- Heating element partially failed — one section no longer heats
- Thermostat calibration drift — oven runs hotter or cooler
- Faulty temperature sensor giving incorrect readings
- Damaged door seal allowing heat to escape
- Fan motor failure (fan-forced ovens)
Check This First (Safe DIY)
Place a separate oven thermometer on the middle shelf, set the oven to 180°C and wait 20 minutes. If the thermometer reads more than 15°C different from the display, the thermostat or sensor needs professional calibration or replacement.
Range Hood Repair
Rangehood Weak or No Suction
The rangehood turns on and the fan runs, but cooking smells, smoke, and grease still spread through the kitchen.
What Causes This
- Grease filters completely saturated — blocking all airflow
- Ducted vent blocked or external flap stuck shut
- Motor bearings worn — fan spins slowly
- Charcoal filters expired (recirculating models)
- Internal grease build-up around the fan blades
Check This First (Safe DIY)
Remove the metal grease filters and wash them in hot soapy water or run through the dishwasher on a hot cycle. For ducted units, go outside and check the wall vent — it should open when the fan is running. If the flap doesn't move, the duct is blocked.
Cooktop Repair
Cooktop Burner Not Igniting
The igniter clicks but the burner won't light, one zone doesn't respond, or an induction/ceramic zone shows no reaction.
What Causes This
- Burner cap misaligned after cleaning — most common on gas cooktops
- Moisture in the igniter electrode after cleaning with water
- Cracked electrode tip — spark visible but misaimed
- Faulty igniter module — all burners fail at once
- Touch panel or control board failure (induction/ceramic)
Check This First (Safe DIY)
For gas: dry the burner area with a cloth, remove the burner cap and reposition it firmly so the notch aligns. For induction/ceramic: check whether child lock is active — hold the lock symbol for 3 seconds. These two steps fix the majority of cases.
Gas cooktop fault? Must be fixed by a licensed technician only.
Same-day service available across Melbourne's eastern suburbs.
Fridge Repair
Fridge Making Unusual Noise
A loud rattling, high-pitched hum, regular clicking, or gurgling sound that's different from the fridge's normal operation.
What Causes This
- Condenser fan blade hitting ice or a foreign object
- Evaporator fan motor bearing worn — produces squealing or grinding
- Compressor start relay failing — repetitive clicking every few minutes
- Loose drip tray vibrating against the back panel
- Refrigerant bubbling after a defrost cycle (can be loud if excessive)
Check This First (Safe DIY)
A clicking sound every 2–3 minutes that stops the fridge cooling means the compressor start relay is failing — this will lead to complete cooling failure. A rattle from the back is usually the drain tray. A squeal from inside the freezer is the evaporator fan. Each noise points to a different component.
Washing Machine Repair
Washing Machine Vibrating or Banging
The machine shakes violently, bangs loudly during the spin cycle, or moves across the floor when running.
What Causes This
- Uneven load — heavy items clumped on one side of the drum
- Machine not level — feet not adjusted correctly
- Worn drum bearings — deep rumbling roar during spin
- Broken shock absorbers or suspension springs
- Transit bolts still installed after delivery
Check This First (Safe DIY)
Stop the cycle and redistribute the load so items are spread evenly around the drum. Place a spirit level on top of the machine — all four feet must contact the floor. Adjust the levelling feet until stable. If banging persists at normal loads, bearings or shock absorbers need inspection.
Dishwasher Repair
Dishwasher Not Draining
Water remains pooled at the bottom of the dishwasher tub after the full cycle completes.
What Causes This
- Blocked drain filter — most common cause and easiest to fix
- Food debris blocking the drain sump area
- Kinked drain hose running behind the machine
- Failed drain pump motor
- Garbage disposal connection blocked (if connected)
Check This First (Safe DIY)
Remove the bottom rack, then unscrew the cylindrical filter in the centre of the tub floor. Clean it under running water and clear any debris from the recess. Pour a cup of water into the bottom and run a drain-only cycle. If water still doesn't clear, the pump or hose needs a technician.
All 10 Problems at a Glance
| # | Problem | Appliance | Urgency | First Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Not cooling | Fridge | High | Clean condenser coils |
| 02 | Not draining | Washing Machine | High | Clear drain filter |
| 03 | Not cleaning | Dishwasher | Medium | Clean spray arms + filter |
| 04 | Not heating | Dryer | High | Check external vent flap |
| 05 | Uneven heat | Oven | Medium | Test with oven thermometer |
| 06 | Poor suction | Rangehood | Medium | Wash grease filters |
| 07 | Not igniting | Cooktop | Medium | Dry & realign burner cap |
| 08 | Loud noise | Fridge | Medium | Identify which part is noisy |
| 09 | Vibrating/banging | Washing Machine | Medium | Redistribute load, level machine |
| 10 | Not draining | Dishwasher | High | Clear drain filter + sump |
When to Call a Licensed Technician
Safe to Check Yourself
- Cleaning filters and spray arms
- Checking drain hoses for kinks
- Resetting tripped circuit breakers
- Clearing lint from dryer filter
- Levelling the machine
- Realigning burner caps
Always Call a Licensed Technician
- Any electrical component repair
- Gas line or valve work
- Refrigerant (gas) handling
- Compressor replacement
- Control board replacement
- Any fault you cannot safely diagnose
In Victoria, electrical and gas appliance repairs must be carried out by a licensed technician. DP Electric holds Energy Safe Victoria Licence D18672 and VIC Plumbing Commission Licence 125950.
We Service All Melbourne Eastern Suburbs
Same-day appliance repairs available across:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common appliance problem in Melbourne?▼
Fridge not cooling accounts for over 25% of all appliance call-outs across Melbourne's eastern suburbs. It's usually caused by dirty condenser coils, a faulty fan motor, or a refrigerant leak.
Which appliance problems are most urgent?▼
Dryer not heating, fridge not cooling, and washing machine not draining are the most urgent. A dryer that doesn't heat due to a blocked lint vent is also a fire risk — do not run it again until a technician has cleared the duct.
Can I fix these appliance problems myself?▼
Safe DIY checks include cleaning filters, clearing hoses, redistributing washing machine loads, and checking power. However, any work involving electrical components, gas lines, or refrigerant must be carried out by a licensed technician under Victorian law.
How quickly can DP Electric respond to an appliance breakdown in Melbourne?▼
DP Electric offers same-day service across Melbourne's eastern suburbs for bookings made before noon. Most repairs are completed in a single visit with parts carried on the van.
What brands does DP Electric repair?▼
We repair all major brands including Bosch, Miele, LG, Samsung, Westinghouse, Fisher & Paykel, Electrolux, AEG, Smeg, Ariston, Siemens, Neff, Haier, Hisense, Simpson, Whirlpool and 40+ more.
Dealing with one of these problems right now?
Same-day service · Licensed technicians · 12-month labour warranty & 3-month parts warranty
Dishank Patel
Lead Technician & Founder · DP Electric Melbourne
Dishank Patel has over 10 years of hands-on experience repairing household appliances across Melbourne's eastern suburbs. He holds all required Victorian electrical and gas licensing and has personally repaired thousands of appliances across brands including Bosch, Miele, LG, Samsung, and Fisher & Paykel.