How to Repair Your Washing Machine (2024)

Equipment / Tools

Materials

Repair Washing Machine That Won't Start

With this common washer problem, the machine will not start. You have pressed the "ON" button or turned the dial, but nothing happens.

1. Make Sure the Machine Is Plugged In

   Check the power cord behind the washer to make sure that it is plugged in. Due to washers' vigorous movements, especially when the load is imbalanced, machines may move. When a machine moves, it may inadvertently unplug the power cord.

   Cords that have been shortened with ties have no give. In this case, untie the cord to allow for more flexibility.
   

   

2. Check the Circuit Breaker

   Is the circuit breaker to the washer flipped off? To reset a circuit breaker, find the electrical service panel. Locate the correct circuit breaker, flip it in the "OFF" direction, and then back to the "ON" position.
   

   

3. Check the Lid

   Checking the lid solves many washing machine issues, but it depends on whether the door is on the front (front-loading machine) or on the top (a top-loading machine).

   • Front-Loading Washer: Your front loader washer's lid switch strike may be faulty. This is the area of the door frame that communicates to the machine that the door is properly closed and it is okay to begin filling with water. Close the lid and watch as the part on the door connects with the part on the machine. The top part should seat into the bottom part.
   • Top-Loading Washing: Test the lid by setting the machine to "ON" and then pushing into the latch-receiving hole with the blunt end of a pen. If working correctly, the water should begin filling even though the lid is open.
     

   

Repair Washing Machine That Won't Clean Clothes

After washing your clothing on a full cycle, you remove them and find that your clothes are not clean or are covered in lint, hair,and other light debris.

1. Check for Overloading

   Avoid overloading your washer. An overly full washer does not have enough space for the clean rinse water to pull out the detergent and debris. Consult your owner's manual for specific load maximums.
   

   

2. Adjust the Detergent

   Use less detergent. Too much detergent can redeposit lint and other debris back on the clothing, rather than pulling it out.

   

3. Wash Pet Products Separately

   Wash pet-related items such as blankets, cat and dog beds, and chew toys separately from the rest of the clothing. If the pet load is especially dirty, clean the washing machine tub by hand after the wash.
   

   

Repair Washing Machine That Will Not Spin

The washer basin has drained itself of water but it refuses to spin or only spins slowly.

1. Redistribute the Clothing

   Redistribute the clothing within the washing machine tub. Close the lid again. The machine should start spinning automatically. High-absorption materials like towels, sheets, and thick clothing like jeans and sweaters often become imbalanced.
   

   

2. Make Sure the Machine Is Level

   Check the machine's level on the floor. An out-of-level machine will stop spinning; this action is programmed into your clothes washer for safety. Check the level with a laser level or a bubble level. Adjust the legs to re-level the machine. If this does not work, you may need to re-level the floor or add a level platform under the washer.
   

   

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3. Ensure Proper Drainage

   Check the drainage and the drain hose. Small items may clog up the machine's drainage system. You may be able to check the washer's drain pump without removing it. Finally, the drainage hose that leads from the back of the machine to a drainage point may be clogged.
   

   

Fixing a Loud Washer

The washing machine thumps or grinds during the agitation or spin cycles. Repair this problem as soon as possible, since movement can damage the washer and create new problems.

1. Lubricate or Replace the Tub Bearings

   The tub bearings, located directly below the tub, might be worn out and in need of replacement. If the washing machine is making a squeaking sound, the tub bearings may need lubrication (grease).
   

   

2. Check the Belts

   The washing machine motor drive belt or pulley may be worn out. This is a rather involved repair, where you need to take apart a significant section of the machine to get to the motor. The pump pulley belt may be cracked, frayed,or otherwise out of shape. Often the belt will smell like burning rubber, too.
   

   

Repair a Washing Machine That Doesn't Agitate

The washing machine's basin or tub fills with water, but the central agitator does not move.

Agitation is the back-and-forth motion that cleans the clothing. The central plastic cone-shaped device is called the agitator. Small plastic directional cogs (also known as "dogs") connect the upper portion of the agitator with the bottom portion.

1. Test the Function of the Cogs

   Open the lid while the machine is in agitation mode. Depress the lid switch with the blunt end of a pen so that the machine does not stop while the lid is open. If the machine is making normal sounds of agitation or even a grinding noise, yet the agitator is not moving, the cogs may be worn down or broken and in need of replacement.
   

   

2. Reset the Machine

   Your machine's washer motor may have been affected by a power spike and needs to be reset. All brands have different reset procedures; check yourowner's manual for information about motor resetting.
   

   

Repair Washing Machine That Fills But Doesn't Drain

The clothes are floating in a tub filled with murky gray water. If you catch the machine early enough, the water may still be hot or lukewarm.

1. Check for Clogs

   Your machine's pump may be clogged with a piece of fabric. Bail the water with a kitchen measuring cup and then unplug the machine. Take off the screws on the front panel. Tilt the machine up and prop the front of the machine on two-by-four boards or bricks for easier access. Your machine's pump housing may be easily visible, making it simple to assess whether you have a clog in the pump. If so, use pliers to gently untwist the clog from the pump.
   

   

2. Check the Tube

   Alternatively, the clog may be located in the corrugated tube that leads to the pump. Unclamp the tube. Have a bucket or bin nearby, because this tube will be filled with water. Drain the water. If there is a clog in the hose, it will usually be at the end of the hose. Pull it out by hand or with pliers.
   

   

Fixing a Vibrating Washer

During the spin cycle, the washing machine may violently shake or vibrate, often so much that the machine walks or moves. This may be pronounced if youhave a high-efficiency machine. Walking machines are very dangerous because they can become detached from the water lines or the drainage line, or they might strain the power cord and cause an electrical fire.

1. Check the Machine's Level

   Use a bubble level or laser level to assess the machine's level from side to side and front to back. If needed, adjust the machine's level by turning the machine's legs up or down. Most washing machines have four adjustable legs.
   

   

2. Tighten Connection Straps

   With stackingwasher-dryer sets, the connection straps may have loosened, causing the unit to shake violently. Tighten the connection straps or replace them.
   

   

3. Ensure the Load is Balanced

   The classic and most easily fixable cause of a shaking clothes washer is an imbalanced load. Drape long, heavy items around the central agitator so that they are not grouped on one side. Move large items to the other side of equally large items.
   

   

4. Consider an Anti-Vibration Pad

   Consider purchasing an anti-vibration pad. Independent testing has shown that pads that are 3 inches thick do an excellent job of deadening the shaking and vibration. While not inexpensive, anti-vibration pads can be a valuable tool for reducing the transmission of washer vibration on your home's floor.
   

   

When to Call a Professional

It may be too difficult to fix your washing machine, and only an appliance repair professional can diagnose the problem and obtain and install the right parts. Any actions you take could potentially cause more stress to the machine and damage more parts. Code errors could mean something simple, or it may mean you need new sensors.