
Welcome to our Soft Services and Guides page, your go-to resource for appliance maintenance advice and practical troubleshooting tips. At SureFix, we don’t just fix appliances; we help you keep them in great shape through expert guidance and preventative care.
Here, you’ll find easy-to-understand guides designed to help you:
Our soft services include regular maintenance plans that help prevent breakdowns and keep your home running smoothly. These guides are part of our commitment to providing value beyond repairs, empowering you with the knowledge to look after your essential household appliances.
If you can’t find the solution you’re looking for or need professional assistance, don’t hesitate to contact our expert team.

Dishwasher has an unpleasant smell
This usually means the dishwasher filter needs cleaning. The filter sits at the bottom of the dishwasher and catches large food scraps to prevent blockages inside the machine.
You can easily remove the filter and rinse it under the tap once a week to keep it fresh.
Dishwasher basket feels loose or wobbly
If your dishwasher basket is wobbling, the wheels may be stuck or missing. Luckily, replacement wheels can be snapped on quickly to stabilise the basket.
Dishwasher isn’t cleaning dishes properly
Poor cleaning often happens when the spray arms are blocked. The spray arms are the long, flat plastic parts that spin and spray water inside the dishwasher.
They can be unclipped and cleaned to fix the problem fast.
Dishwasher isn’t draining water
Water drains out through the drain pump, which can get clogged over time with debris. The pump is located at the base of the machine and can be removed, cleaned, and reinstalled quite easily.
Note: You’ll need to tilt the dishwasher back and remove the base plate by unscrewing it to access the pump.
Dishwasher is leaking water
Leaks often happen if the door hinge is loose or not closing correctly. The side panels of the door can be taken off to check and adjust the hinge mechanism.
Washing machine won’t turn on
First, check if the washing machine is receiving power. Use a multimeter to test the outlet voltage. If there’s no power, check your home’s electrical panel for any tripped circuit breakers.
Sometimes the motor overheats and automatically shuts down to cool off. Wait a while and try again.
Make sure the lid is fully closed. An open lid can prevent the machine from starting the wash cycle.
Washing machine is not draining properly
A clogged drain hose can stop water from draining correctly. Remove the hose and flush it out with a garden hose to clear any blockages.
Check the drain pump for jams. Remove and inspect it for foreign objects like socks, coins, or pens that might be stuck. These can block drainage.
Using too much detergent causes excessive suds, which can slow or stop draining.
Washing machine isn’t spinning properly
Overloading the machine can cause it to become unbalanced and stop spinning. Try redistributing the clothes or reduce the load size.
Check that all switches are working and correctly set. The spin speed selector should not be set between speeds.
If the drain pump is blocked, you might hear a humming sound when water remains in the machine.
Washing machine is leaking
Leaks may be caused by:
Washing machine isn’t dispensing detergent
Clean the detergent dispenser regularly—pour a cup of warm distilled white vinegar into it monthly and run a cycle to clear residue.
Make sure to use the correct detergent type for your machine. Powder bleach should not be used in washers designed for liquid bleach, as this can cause clogs.
Washing machine makes strange noises or vibrates
This could be caused by a worn dryer drum seal from frequent overloading or foreign objects hitting the drum. The seal may need replacing.
Washing machine runs but does not heat up
Blocked ventilation, a clogged lint screen, or regular overloading can cause the thermal fuse to fail. If the fuse is broken, it will need replacement.
Washing machine does not run at all
Often caused by a broken thermal fuse due to the reasons above, which will require replacement.
Cooker does not turn on
This usually means the cooker isn’t receiving power. Check your home’s electrical panel to see if a circuit breaker has tripped. If it has, reset it and try again.
Cooker elements do not heat up
Several issues could cause this:
Oven does not reach the correct temperature
A likely cause is a faulty temperature sensor inside the oven. This sensor measures the heat to prevent overheating.
Check that the sensor isn’t touching the oven wall, as this can cause inaccurate temperature readings. If faulty, the sensor should be replaced.
Oven cooks food unevenly
Uneven cooking could be due to problems with the heating elements or the temperature sensor.
Preheat the oven and visually check if the heating elements glow or light up. If they work fine, the temperature sensor might be the issue. Replace any faulty parts.
Also, try adjusting oven racks or using different cookware, which can sometimes improve cooking results.
Oven light does not work
Start by replacing the oven bulb. If the light still doesn’t work, the problem could be a faulty light switch, wiring issues, or a problem with the electronic control system.
Oven door won’t close properly
This often requires replacing the oven door hinges.
In some models, door springs or the gasket lining the inside edge of the oven door can cause closure issues. These parts are replaceable to restore proper door function.
Incorrect Picture Size
If the TV image looks squashed, stretched, or cropped, it means the aspect ratio setting is not ideal. This setting is found in the TV menu and usually offers options like Zoom, Stretch, Wide, or 16:9 Aspect Ratio. Adjust it to the option that looks best to you.
Inaccurate Colour
TVs are often preset with a ‘white balance’ that makes whites appear slightly bluer to create a cooler picture. This applies to Normal, Standard, and Vivid picture modes. You can adjust this by finding the White Balance or Colour Temperature settings in the TV menu and choosing between Cool, Normal, or Warm according to your preference.
Turning Captions On or Off
You can toggle programme captions using the Closed Caption button on your TV remote. Captions can also be turned on or off via the TV’s settings menu.
Audio Delay
An audio delay happens when the picture and sound are out of sync, causing a ‘voice-over’ effect where you see the action before hearing it. To fix this, adjust the audio delay setting in the TV’s audio menu.
TV Turns On but No Picture
This usually means the TV is set to the wrong input. Use the remote’s ‘Input,’ ‘Source,’ or sometimes ‘TV/Video’ button to cycle through inputs until you see the picture. If the correct input is selected but there’s still no picture, check that your cable or satellite box is on and properly connected. Resetting the cable box by unplugging and plugging it back in can also help.
Echo Effect
An echo sound typically occurs if both the TV speakers and an external sound system (like a soundbar or surround sound) are active simultaneously. To stop this, mute or disable the TV speakers so only the external system outputs sound.
Pixelated TV Picture
If the picture looks pixelated or breaks up into squares, it’s usually due to a weak signal or loose connection. Check all cables from the wall to the cable box and from the cable box to the TV to ensure they’re securely connected. Unplugging and reconnecting the cables can also resolve this issue.
Fridge Is Too Warm or Too Cold
If your fridge is not maintaining the right temperature, the issue could be with the air damper, baffle, or diffuser. These components regulate the flow of cold air from the evaporator fan into the fresh food compartment. A damaged baffle can cause the fridge to be too warm or too cold.
The baffle is typically located where the cold air enters the fridge’s fresh food section. It is usually encased in plastic with Styrofoam to prevent air leaks.
Check that air is flowing freely and nothing is blocking the airflow. Some fridges have a temperature sensing bulb to help adjust the interior temperature. If this bulb is misplaced or damaged, it should be repositioned or replaced to restore normal cooling.
Fridge Is Leaking
If you notice water leaking from your fridge, the door gasket or seal might be faulty. The gasket is made of vinyl with a flexible magnetic strip that creates an airtight seal around the door.
Moisture around the door edge usually means the gasket is damaged. Even a small air leak can cause water buildup or defrosting problems.
Tip: Before installing a new gasket, warm it slightly in a tumble dryer to make it more flexible and easier to fit.
Fridge Is Noisy
A noisy fridge often points to an issue with the condenser fan. This fan circulates air through the condenser coil to remove heat and over the drain pan to evaporate water.
To check, disconnect power and remove the rear panel. Make sure nothing is blocking the airflow. Inspect the fan motor and blades for damage or wear, and replace parts if needed.
Fridge Does Not Turn On
If your fridge won’t start, it may be a problem with the overload relay, which protects the compressor from overheating or electrical arcing. Many modern fridges have the overload relay built into the compressor’s side.
You can test the overload relay with a multi-meter. Also, the start capacitor, which boosts voltage to the compressor, might be faulty and require replacement if the compressor isn’t starting.
Frost Builds Up in Freezer
Frost in the freezer forms when warm, moist air enters the unit as the door opens and closes. A small amount of frost is normal, but excessive frost can cause damage.
Too much frost often means the freezer door or gasket is damaged, letting warm air in when the door is shut. Other causes could be a faulty defrost sensor, heating element, or defrost timer that aren’t working properly.
Tumble Dryer Does Not Turn On
If your tumble dryer won’t start, first check if it’s receiving power. Use a multi-meter to test the outlet voltage. If there’s no power, inspect your home’s electrical panel for any tripped circuit breakers. Also, ensure the dryer door is fully closed, as an open door can prevent operation. Additionally, the motor may have overheated and shut down temporarily; wait for it to cool before trying again.
Tumble Dryer Not Draining Properly
A clogged drain hose can stop your dryer from draining correctly. Remove the hose and flush it with a garden hose to clear any blockages. Check the drain pump for jams—foreign objects like coins, socks, or pens may be stuck inside, blocking drainage. Excessive detergent use can also cause too many suds, delaying draining.
Tumble Dryer Not Spinning Properly
Overloading the dryer can unbalance the load and prevent it from spinning. Try redistributing the clothes or reducing the load size. Faulty switches or incorrectly set speed selectors can also cause spinning issues. If you hear a humming noise when the dryer is full of water, there may be an object stuck in the drain pump.
Tumble Dryer Is Leaking
Leaks can be caused by a clogged or cracked drain hose, a loose fill hose, or leaks from the water-inlet valve due to rust or mineral buildup. Using too much detergent with hard water or water softeners can also lead to leaks. Faulty door seals or drain pump seals may cause water to seep out and might need replacing.
Detergent Not Dispensing
If detergent isn’t dispensing properly, try cleaning the dispenser monthly by pouring a cup of warm distilled white vinegar into it and running a regular cycle. Using the wrong type of detergent, like powder bleach in a washer designed for liquid bleach, can cause clogs and affect performance.
Strange Noises or Vibrations
Unusual noises or vibrations may indicate a worn drum seal caused by frequent overloading or contact with foreign objects. Replacing the drum seal usually resolves this issue.
Tumble Dryer Runs But Does Not Heat
Blocked ventilation, a clogged lint screen, or consistent overloading can cause the thermal fuse to fail. If the fuse is broken, it will need to be replaced.
Tumble Dryer Does Not Run At All
If the dryer doesn’t operate at all, this could also be due to a broken thermal fuse caused by the issues above, requiring replacement.