Free online tool

Appliance symptom triage

Turn a visible refrigerator, washer, or dishwasher symptom into the next safe external check, stopping before sealed systems and wiring.

HS TOOL / 05

Describe the appliance symptom.

Choose only what you can observe. The result never authorizes sealed-system or mains-voltage work.

COMMON WAYS TO ASK

My fridge is not cooling
Washer will not drain
Which appliance check is safe to do?

QUICK ANSWER

What this calculator tells you.

Start from what you can see and hear, and the triage points to the next external check rather than a repair. It stops before sealed systems, refrigerant, and mains wiring.

WORKED EXAMPLE

A refrigerator that runs but stays warm

INPUTCompressor audible · freezer partly cold

RESULTA short list of visible checks, and the point at which service is the answer

CHECK THE EDGE CASES

Questions people ask next.

Will this tell me which part to replace?

No, and deliberately so. It narrows the visible symptom to the next safe observation. Sealed systems, refrigerant, and wiring are service work regardless of what the symptom suggests.

Is it safe to open the back panel?

Treat that as service work. The checks here are external and power-off, because an appliance that has been opened carries risks that a symptom list cannot manage for you.