How to Say “It’s not working properly” in Spanish

Introduction

Have you ever found yourself frustrated with a malfunctioning device or service while traveling in a Spanish-speaking country? Being able to express that something is not working properly is an essential communication skill for any Spanish learner. This comprehensive guide will teach you multiple ways to convey this common problem in Spanish, helping you navigate everyday situations with confidence.

The Most Common Way to Say It’s Not Working Properly

The most straightforward and widely understood phrase across all Spanish-speaking countries is No funciona bien. This expression literally translates to it doesn’t work well and is your go-to phrase for almost any situation where something is malfunctioning.

The verb funcionar means to function or to work, and when combined with bien (well), you create a simple yet effective way to communicate the problem. You can use this phrase for electronics, appliances, vehicles, websites, or even services.

Examples:
El aire acondicionado no funciona bien.
(The air conditioning is not working properly.)

Mi teléfono no funciona bien.
(My phone is not working properly.)

Alternative Expressions for Not Working Properly

No Está Funcionando Correctamente

For a more formal approach, you can use No está funcionando correctamente. This phrase uses the present progressive tense and the adverb correctamente (correctly) instead of bien. This version sounds more professional and is particularly useful when dealing with customer service or formal complaints.

Example:
La conexión a Internet no está funcionando correctamente.
(The Internet connection is not working properly.)

No Anda Bien

In many Latin American countries, particularly Argentina, Uruguay, and parts of Central America, people commonly use no anda bien. The verb andar typically means to walk or to go, but in this context, it means to work or to run (as in machinery or devices).

Example:
El coche no anda bien últimamente.
(The car has not been working properly lately.)

Está Fallando

When you want to emphasize that something is failing or breaking down, use está fallando. This phrase comes from the verb fallar, which means to fail or to malfunction. It suggests intermittent problems or recurring issues rather than complete breakdown.

Example:
La calefacción está fallando otra vez.
(The heating is malfunctioning again.)

Describing Specific Malfunctions

Complete Breakdown vs. Partial Malfunction

Sometimes you need to clarify whether something has stopped working entirely or is just performing poorly. For a complete breakdown, use no funciona (it doesn’t work) or está roto (it’s broken). For partial malfunction, stick with no funciona bien or add qualifiers.

Examples:
El ascensor no funciona para nada.
(The elevator doesn’t work at all.)

La impresora funciona, pero no funciona bien.
(The printer works, but it doesn’t work properly.)

Adding Descriptive Details

To provide more context about the malfunction, you can add descriptive phrases after your main statement. Common additions include como debe (as it should), del todo (completely), or como antes (like before).

Examples:
El control remoto no funciona como debe.
(The remote control is not working as it should.)

Mi computadora no está funcionando como antes.
(My computer is not working like before.)

Regional Variations Across Spanish-Speaking Countries

Spain-Specific Expressions

In Spain, you might hear no va bien using the verb ir (to go) in the same way Latin Americans use andar. Spaniards also frequently use está estropeado or está averiado when something is broken or damaged.

Example:
El lavavajillas no va bien desde ayer.
(The dishwasher has not been working properly since yesterday.)

Mexican and Caribbean Variations

In Mexico and Caribbean countries, you might encounter está descompuesto (it’s broken down) or hear people say no jala bien in informal contexts, where jalar (to pull) colloquially means to work.

Example:
El ventilador está descompuesto y no enfría bien.
(The fan is broken and doesn’t cool properly.)

Useful Vocabulary for Technical Problems

When reporting malfunctions, these additional terms will help you communicate more precisely:

Lento/lenta – slow
Ruidoso/ruidosa – noisy
Se calienta demasiado – it overheats
Se apaga solo – it turns off by itself
Tiene fallas – it has defects
Intermitente – intermittent

Examples:
Mi laptop está muy lenta y no funciona bien.
(My laptop is very slow and is not working properly.)

El refrigerador hace ruido y no enfría como debe.
(The refrigerator makes noise and doesn’t cool as it should.)

Practical Phrases for Everyday Situations

At a Hotel

When staying at a hotel, you may need to report issues to the front desk or staff. Here are complete phrases you can use:

Disculpe, el aire acondicionado de mi habitación no funciona bien.
(Excuse me, the air conditioning in my room is not working properly.)

La ducha no está funcionando correctamente. ¿Pueden revisarla?
(The shower is not working properly. Can you check it?)

In a Store or Service Center

When returning a defective product or requesting repair service, use these professional phrases:

Compré este producto ayer y no funciona bien.
(I bought this product yesterday and it’s not working properly.)

Necesito ayuda porque mi dispositivo no está funcionando como debe.
(I need help because my device is not working as it should.)

Calling Technical Support

When speaking with technical support, clear communication is essential:

Llamo porque mi servicio de internet no funciona bien desde esta mañana.
(I’m calling because my internet service has not been working properly since this morning.)

El módem está fallando constantemente.
(The modem is constantly malfunctioning.)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many Spanish learners make the error of directly translating English phrases without considering natural Spanish expressions. Avoid saying no está trabajando bien, as trabajar (to work) refers to employment, not machinery or devices.

Another common mistake is forgetting agreement when using adjectives. Remember that roto must match the gender of the noun: el teléfono está roto but la computadora está rota.

Additionally, be cautious with the verb romper (to break). While está roto works for broken objects, saying no funciona bien is more appropriate for malfunctions rather than physical damage.

Polite Ways to Complain or Report Problems

When reporting malfunctions, especially in professional or customer service contexts, adding polite phrases helps maintain good communication:

Disculpe, pero… – Excuse me, but…
Me temo que… – I’m afraid that…
Quisiera reportar que… – I would like to report that…
Tengo un problema con… – I have a problem with…

Example:
Disculpe, pero me temo que el televisor no funciona bien.
(Excuse me, but I’m afraid the television is not working properly.)

Expanding Your Troubleshooting Vocabulary

Beyond stating that something is not working properly, you may need to ask for help or solutions. These phrases complement your ability to report problems:

¿Puede ayudarme a arreglarlo?
(Can you help me fix it?)

¿Cuándo pueden repararlo?
(When can you repair it?)

¿Hay alguna solución rápida?
(Is there a quick solution?)

Necesito que alguien lo revise.
(I need someone to check it.)

Conclusion

Mastering how to express that something is not working properly in Spanish opens doors to effective communication in countless real-world situations. Whether you use no funciona bien, está fallando, or regional variations like no anda bien, you now have the tools to navigate technical problems confidently. Practice these phrases regularly, pay attention to regional preferences, and remember that clear communication combined with politeness will help you resolve issues smoothly in any Spanish-speaking environment.