Troubleshooting Clothes Washers
Washer Safety
Tip
When your washer doesn't
work.
Washer doesn't fill.
Oversudsing
Water temperature not right?
Washer won't spin or begins
to vibrate.
Washer doesn't agitate.
Washer doesn't spin.
Washer doesn't drain.
Washer vibrates excessively.
Washer doesn't shut off.
Washer fills but motor doesn't
start.
The water doesn't stop running.
The tub fills with water but
the machine doesn't run.
The motor runs but the machine
doesn't agitate or spin.
Washer leaks.
Washer won't drain.
The water doesn't get hot enough.
*Washer
Safety Tip
Before making repairs, pull the plug and turn
off the faucets.
Note: Appliance models vary; see your owner's
manual for information specific to your washer.
When
your washer doesn't work.
Check
for:
- Proper
power supply.
- Unplugged
or defective cord.
- Blown
house fuse or circuit breaker.
- Kinked
water supply or drain hose.
Remedies:
- Repair
power supply.
- Plug
in or replace cord.
- Replace
fuses or turn circuit breaker back on.
- Straighten
the kink. If you can't, replace the = hose.
Washer
doesn't fill.
Check
for:
- Blocked
water inlet screens.
- Clogged
filters
- A
kink in one of the hoses
- Timer
that is not set
- Defective
timer or temperature selector.
Remedies:
- Clean
or replace water inlet screens.
- Check
the inlet hose filters and clean them.
- Straighten
the water supply hoses.
- Turn
the timer slightly or press the buttons firmly.
- Replace
timer or temperature selector*
*Problem = is best=20 left to a professional.
Oversudsing
Oversudsing
causes leaks and blocks drains. To reduce the
suds, pour 1/2 cup white vinegar mixed with some
cold water into the washer. Next time, use less
detergent (try low-suds type).
Water
temperature not right?
Be
sure the faucets are fully open, screens in the
water inlet valve or hoses aren't clogged, and
there's lot's of hot water.
Washer
won't spin or begins to vibrate.
The
wash load may be too large or out of balance.
Try removing some of the items or redistribute
the load.
Washer
doesn't agitate.
Check
for:
- Loose
or broken drive belt.
- Defective
agitator solenoid.
Remedies:
- Tighten
or replace belt
- Replace
agitator solenoid*
*Problem is best left to a professional.
Washer
doesn't spin.
Check
for:
- Loose
or broken drive belt.
- Defective
lid safety switch, timer, or spin solenoid.
Remedies:
- Tighten
or replace belt.
- Replace
switch, timer, or spin solenoid.*
*Problem is best left to a professional.
Washer
doesn't drain.
Check
for:
- Jammed
or defective drain pump.
Remedies:
- Clear
jam.
- Replace
pump*
*Problem is best left to a professional.
Washer
vibrates excessively.
Check
for:
- Machine
or load in machine isn't level.
- Defective
snubber.
- Loose
basket.
- Worn
basket support.
Remedies:
- Adjust
leveling feet or load in machine.
- Repair
or replace snubber.*
- Tighten
basket hold-down nut.
- Replace
support.*
*Problem is best left to a professional.
Washer
doesn't shut off.
Check
for:
- Disconnected
air hose.
- Defective
water inlet valve.
Remedies:
- Reconnect
hose to water level switch.
- Replace
water inlet valve.*
*Problem is best left to a professional.
Washer
fills but motor doesn't start.
Check
for:
- If
motor hums, jammed drain pump or defective motor.
- Tripped
or defective overload protector.
Remedies:
- Unjam
pump.
- Replace
motor if defective.*
- Reduce
wash load.
- Let
protector reset and replace if defective.*
*Problem is best left to a professional.
The
water doesn't stop running.
Check
for:
- Disconnected
overflow switch
- Disconnected
hose
- Defective
overflow switch
- Defective
timer
- Damaged
mixing valve
Remedies:
- Replace
the water hose.
- Check
the switch and replace it.
- Replace
the timer.
- Replace
the valve.
- Call
a qualified contractor.
The
tub fills with water but the machine doesn't run.
Check
for:
- Tripped
lid safety switch
- Too
much laundry in the tub
- Defective
motor
- Defective
timer
Remedies:
- Make
sure the lid is closed.
- Check
the switch.
- Take
some things out and wait 15 minutes for the
motor to reset.
- Call
a qualified contractor.
The
motor runs but the machine doesn't agitate or
spin.
Check
for:
- Loose
or broken drive belt
- Broken
gears or transmission
Remedies:
- Tighten
the belt or replace it.
- Call
a qualified contractor.
Washer
leaks.
Check
for:
- Loose
hose connection
- Defective
hoses
- Damaged
gaskets
- Defective
mixing valve
- Damaged
pump
- Defective
overflow switch or sensor
Remedies:
- Check
and tighten the connection.
- Replace
the hose.
- Check
the gaskets, then replace it if necessary.
- Check
the valve for cracks, then replace if necessary.
- Check
for defects and replace bad parts.
- Call
a qualified contractor.
Washer
won't drain.
Check
for:
- A
kink in the drain hose
- The
position of the drain hose is too high.
- Defective
timer
- Stuck
drain pump
Remedies:
- Straighten
the hose.
- Make
sure the hose is not emptying more than 3 feet
above the floor.
- Replace
the timer.
- Call
a qualified contractor.
The
water doesn't get hot enough.
Check
for:
- The
water heater setting is too low.
- The
water supply hoses are misconnected.
- Defective
mixing valve
- Defective
timer
Remedies:
- Reset
the thermostat to 140 - 160 degrees F.
- Reverse
the hose connection.
- Replace
the defective valve.
- Replace
the timer.
- Call
a qualified contractor.
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