When a breakdown of the SMA occurs due to a malfunction of the board responsible for all control of the device, it is recommended to flash it. Before such a procedure, each user tries to study a sufficient amount of information on this topic and consults with friends who have encountered a similar problem. So, how to flash a washing machine? First you need to make sure that the solution to the cause of the SMA failure lies solely in this.
Signs of failure of the management module
These include the following symptoms:
- a code corresponding to this error appears on the machine screen;
- the panel indicator lights begin to blink randomly;
- the program is not activated, the machine does not work correctly;
- the sequence of work processes is disrupted, certain stages are simply skipped;
- the temperature regime of the water and the time interval of the process do not correspond to the specified conditions;
- the electric motor changes speed spontaneously;
- the drum changes direction of rotation for no apparent reason.
Preparatory activities
Those who believe that to flash the firmware you only need to connect the board to the PC are mistaken. To carry out this work you will need certain elements:
- control board of the unit for washing clothes;
- a computer with LPT, USB or COM connectors corresponding to the programmer used;
- the programmer itself, purchased in a store or made independently.
To flash the board, we will have to connect it to the programmer, and the latter to our computer. Experts recommend using a branded element that has been tested, is easier to connect, and has a warranty.
Programmer
When purchasing a device, you need to check its compatibility with your operating system. In addition, after purchase you need to download drivers. For this purpose, the full name of the washing machine model and the name of the “download firmware” function are entered into the search system. For SMA from Indesit and Ariston, the software is in most cases freely available. But for materials for machines from Atlant, Bosch or LG they may require a nominal fee.
Drivers for programmers can often be found and downloaded on online store websites. If they are not there, then you can use the services of specialized portals for techies. As a rule, entire lists of firmware are published there.
Having decided to master the process yourself in order to provide similar services for a fee in the future, we recommend that you pay attention to the purchase of professional programming equipment, the cost of which will be only a few thousand rubles. And if the case is isolated, then a simpler device is purchased, no more than eighty rubles apiece. The quality of work and principle of operation do not differ at all from expensive analogues.
The whole difference is in the vulnerability of the device.An expensive product has a dense case, additional alarms, and a beautiful design. An inexpensive version is not as comfortable and aesthetically pleasing, and in the future it may fail from the slightest damage.
Preliminary diagnostics
A sign that it is necessary to flash the washing machine module is the error code displayed on the unit's screen. Even its absence cannot exclude the possibility that a failure has occurred in the module. A large number of signs of breakdowns indicate that the board is not working properly, or other elements are failing.
To make a decision and flash the control unit of the washing machine, you should make sure that the problem lies in this place and not elsewhere. To do this, you will have to dismantle the front and top panels of the body of the unit:
- Unscrew the screws of the top panel, move it and remove it;
- It is recommended to photograph each connection to make it easier to assemble later;
- Release the control panel, disconnect the wiring;
- Unfasten and remove the bottom panel;
- having removed the cuff, press on the spring and remove the clamp;
- dismantle the door locking device;
- having slightly lifted the front panel, remove it completely.
After opening the case, it is necessary to check all elements with a multimeter to make sure that there are no other faults. Firmware is considered a risky and very labor-intensive task, so it is not recommended to do it "just in case".
Having excluded other faults, we inspect the machine module. If nothing is visually detected, then a software failure has occurred.
We connect the programmer and perform the firmware
You should take the control board, put it near the computer.The programmer is connected via USB, to which the board is connected via a six-channel connector.
Now you should install the original software version and drivers, then make sure that the computer confidently recognizes the connected device. To do this, use the "control panel" tab, in which you select "device manager". After that, do the following:
- The program opens in its original version;
- The USBDM tab should display the name of the connected programming device;
- Now you should go to Target, in the Device Selection section, find the number of the connected module. If everything worked out, then your control board is recognized;
- Using the Load Hex Files button, download the firmware file;
- Now it remains to give the command to flash by activating the Program Flash button.
If during the entire working process the program signaled errors, then the flashing was completed correctly.
If the programmer does not recognize the control board, it is worth checking the semiconductor elements, one of which could well have failed. To do this, take a multimeter, check all the semi-conductors and other elements. It is quite possible that the board will need repair first. If the chips are burnt out, then they will need to be replaced, which can only be done by an experienced technician.
If the equipment is not recognized
This can happen at the stage of connecting the elements intended for firmware. If the programmer is not recognized by your computer, then it is most likely out of order or is not compatible with the operating system. Rebooting and another USB channel did not help? We recommend using another PC.
When the management board is not recognized, all its elements should be checked. Something will probably have to be replaced. These repairs should not be carried out on your own. It would be better to wrap the board in a clean bag and take it to a service center.
Conclusion
Reflashing a washing machine yourself is a real process, but quite difficult to perform. Everything will be much easier if you plan your activities in advance and periodically recheck the achieved indicators for errors. Then the process will go much faster. Naturally, you must first identify the root cause of the malfunction, otherwise the flashing process will be useless.
There can be many reasons for malfunctions. It is not at all necessary that the problem is hidden in the board. If you have little understanding of the SMA device, we recommend reading the operating instructions and other literature that will help you carry out independent repairs. But if you don’t have confidence in your own abilities, you should call a specialist.
