Inside This Article:

• Washing Machine Doesn’t Fill
• Washing Machine Doesn’t Spin
• Clothes Are Dripping After Spin Cycle
• Washing Machine Doesn’t Rinse Properly
• Washing Machine Doesn’t Run
• Washing Machine Leaks
• Washing Machine Tub Doesn’t Spin
• Washing Machine Underfills
• Washing Machine Overfills
• Washing Machine Doesn’t Agitate
• Water Temperature Is Incorrect
• Washing Machine Shakes, Vibrates, or Moves
• Washing Machine Doesn’t Drain

A washing machine is basically a big tub that repeatedly fills with water and then drains, spins to wring clothes dry, and has a device for stirring the contents up—either an agitator in the middle of a top- load machine or a rolling drum in a front-loading machine. 

The four cycles that every washer performs are fill, wash, drain, and spin. Though these functions are pretty basic, a number of things can go wrong with them. 

There are a number of problems that you can fix quite simply; some issues, however, are better left in the hands of an appliance repairperson.

Problems that commonly occur with a clothes washer are discussed in depth below. Before working on a washing machine, be sure to unplug it.

HomeTips Pro Tip: To prevent problems with your washing machine, follow good maintenance procedures. Use the right amount of detergent for your washer and your water hardness, make sure the machine is level, and don't overload it.

Washing Machine Doesn’t Fill

If the washer doesn't fill, the water inlet screens may be blocked. Clean or replace them. (Check your owner’s manual for the location of the screens; they’re often located at one end of the supply hoses, or you may have to remove a panel to access them.) Other reasons for not filling may be that either the timer or temperature selector is broken—both of these are repairs are best left to an appliance repairperson.

Washing Machine Doesn’t Spin

If your washer doesn't spin, check to see if the clothes have jammed or are unbalanced in the drum. Unbalanced clothes will also cause a washer to shudder or “walk.” If straightening out the load doesn’t stop the washer from shaking, look at the feet and be sure they are properly adjusted to keep the washer sitting level on the floor (you just turn a knob to move them up or down.)

Clothes Are Dripping After Spin Cycle

If your clothes remain dripping after your washer’s spin cycle, perform the following diagnostics:

1) Lift the lid during the spin cycle. If the tub is not spinning, you may have a damaged motor coupler. Call an appliance repairperson to replace this part.

2) If the tub is spinning, recheck the load to make sure it is balanced. If you are certain the load is balanced but your clothes still come out dripping, you may need to call an appliance repairperson to replace a damaged motor pulley, tub bearing, belt, or clutch.

3) You can also follow the troubleshooting steps outlined in Washing Machine Doesn’t Drain. You may have a problem with your drain hose or pump.

Washing Machine Doesn’t Rinse Properly

If residue remains on your clothes or in the washing machine following a cycle, the problem may have any of several causes. First, make sure you’re using the machine properly— putting the right amount of soap in the load, not overloading the machine, and so forth. Check your owner’s manual for this information. Just an overly bulky load can cause improper rinsing.

If these types of issues are not causing the problem, the chances are good that the rinse water is not getting into the drum or is not draining out properly.

1) Make sure the water supply valves that serve the supply hoses are on all the way.

2) Make sure the supply hoses are not kinked—if either is kinked, straighten or replace it so the water can flow freely.

3) Check the drain hose to make sure the machine is draining fully. A blockage can cause dirty rinse water to back up and remain in the drum. When you run a load, watch the machine to make sure it empties completely after each wash and rinse cycle.

4) Finally, check to make sure the cold water supply hose isn’t blocked. Turn off the valve to the hose, and then disconnect it from the machine. Put the end into a bucket and turn the faucet back on. It should deliver a strong flow. If it doesn’t, the hose may be partially obstructed. To determine if it is, disconnect the end from the valve, screw it onto a hose bibb outdoors, and try again. If the flow is still constricted, either clear or replace the hose.

Washing Machine Doesn’t Run

If the washer doesn’t operate or make any noise when set on any cycle, it may not be receiving electrical power. If it stopped when it should have continued on to the next cycle, the machine’s overload protector may have tripped. In this case, take out some of the articles to reduce the load and let the protector reset itself. Then restart the machine. Otherwise:

1) Be sure the machine is plugged in and turned on. If necessary, check the receptacle it’s plugged into for power, using a working lamp, appliance, or voltage tester. Be sure the washer lid is closed completely.

2) If the receptacle seems dead, check the circuit breaker or the fuse that serves it.

3) Unplug the washer, and check the power cord. If necessary, replace the cord.

4) Open the lid and check the lid switch and the tab on the lid that it pushes against. Press and release the switch. If it doesn’t click when you do this, it’s probably broken. Remove the switch, test it, and replace it if needed; or, call an appliance repairperson.

5) If the washer still doesn’t work, the controls may be faulty. Call an appiance repairperson.

Washing Machine Leaks

Leaking water from a washing machine usually comes from hoses or connections. Be sure that water appearing to be a leak isn’t drain water from a backed-up standpipe. To prevent potential flood damage, which can occur if washing machine supply hoses burst, be sure to install “no-burst” stainless-steel mesh hoses and lever-type shutoff valves, as shown at right. With these, you can easily turn off the levers for both hot and cold water between wash days.

1) Check the fittings where the hoses connect to the faucets and to the back of the washing machine. Also look for worn or leaky hoses. Tighten couplings or hose clamps if needed, or replace the hoses altogether. Be sure to turn the water off before removing the hoses and drain them into a bucket after disconnecting them.

2) Determine whether the machine is oversudsing, which can cause it to overflow. Reduce suds by pouring in 1/2 cup white vinegar in 1 quart water. Then switch to either less detergent or a low-sudsing variety.

3) The machine may have a faulty basket gasket or tub seal and bearing that must be replaced; in this case, call an appliance repairperson.

Washing Machine Tub Doesn’t Spin

If the washer seems to complete all of its cycles but doesn’t spin:

1) Be sure the load of clothes is not lopsided. If the tub becomes unbalanced, it may spin erratically or not at all. Open the lid and reposition the clothes. This automatically resets an off-balance shut-off switch; just close the lid.

2) Check the lid switch and the tab on the lid that strikes it. If the plastic tab is broken, the washer may halt during the spin cycle. If the switch doesn’t click when you press and release it, it’s probably broken. Remove the switch, test it, and replace it if needed; or, call an appliance repairperson.

3) The belt may be loose, worn, or broken. Tighten the belt or replace it entirely; or, call an appliance repairperson.

4) There may be a problem with the controls; in this case, call an appliance repairperson.

Washing Machine Underfills

If your washer doesn’t fill properly, something is keeping water from entering the machine, or the washer is draining before the tub fills to the desired amount.

Set the controls to the first wash cycle, and then try each water temperature setting. If the hot water setting works but cold doesn’t, or vice versa, see Water Temperature Is Incorrect.

If both hot and cold water seem to be entering the washer with good pressure, water may be draining out prematurely during the fill cycle through siphoning action. Be sure the drain hose’s connection to the standpipe is at least 34 inches above the floor (otherwise, discuss the problem with a plumber). An air gap between the drain hose and standpipe that prevents backflow is also good to have.

If the washer doesn’t fill at all, the water-inlet screens may be blocked; clean or replace them. Check your owner’s manual for the location of the screens; they are often located at one end of the supply hoses or are behind an access panel.

Another reason for the washer not filling may be that the water-level switch, timer, or temperature selector is broken. These repairs require an appliance repairperson.

Washing Machine Overfills

If your washer is overfilling, you may have a defective water-inlet valve or water-level switch.

A broken water-inlet valve will often cause water to leak into the clothes tub. A faulty water- level switch cannot detect the correct water level in the tub and signal the water to turn off, resulting in overflow.

These repairs are best handled by an appliance repairperson.

Washing Machine Doesn’t Agitate

If your washer fills with water but doesn’t agitate, the problem is likely to be a faulty lid switch, a broken belt, or a problem with the motor. (Note: Direct-drive washing machines do not have belts.)

1) Check the spin cycle. If this works, the motor is operating and the belt is not broken. If the spin cycle doesn’t work, the belt may be loose or broken. Tighten or replace the belt; or, call an appliance repairperson.

2) Check the lid switch and the tab on the lid that strikes it. If the plastic tab is broken, the washer may halt during certain cycles. Press and release the switch. If it doesn’t click each time you do this, it’s probably broken. Remove the switch, test it, and replace it if needed; or, call an appliance repairperson.

3) There may be a problem with the controls, or the agitator solenoid may be broken. Call an appliance repairperson. 

Water Temperature Is Incorrect

If your washing machine’s water temperature is wrong, set the controls to the first wash cycle, and then try each temperature setting. If the hot water setting works but cold doesn’t, or vice versa:

1) Be sure both the hot and cold water faucets are turned on.

2) Be sure the supply hoses are not kinked.

3) Turn off the faucets. Unscrew the hoses from the faucets, and drain them into a bucket. Hold the bucket under the faucets, and test them to make sure they both work and have plenty of pressure. Screw the hoses back onto the faucets.

4) Unscrew the hoses from the inlet valves and clean the filter screens just inside them; these may be clogged. To do this, pry out the screens with a screwdriver (this can be difficult because the screens may be inside the valves), flush them under running water, and then put them back into the hoses. If the screens look defective, replace them. Then screw the hoses back onto the valves. Be careful not to cross-thread the hose threads when screwing them back onto the valves.

5) If the above steps do not solve the problem, call an appliance repairperson. There may be a defective inlet valve or an issue with the controls.

Washing Machine Shakes, Vibrates, or Moves

A washer usually shakes or vibrates when it isn’t sitting level on the floor or because it has an out-of-balance wash load. First eliminate the possibility of the latter—adjust the load if it has scrunched up on one side of the tub. Then check the machine for solid, level support. For the machine to work properly, the floor must be flat, level, and strong enought to support the heavy, water-filled washer without deflecting under the load.

1) Unplug the washer.

2) Look under the washer and make sure all feet are resting firmly on the floor.

3) Make sure the front legs have rubber caps and locking nuts to keep them tight. If they don’t, buy these parts and install them.

4) Make the front feet as short as possible by screwing them up into the machine. Place a level on top of the washing machine and adjust the front feet slightly if needed to level the washer; do not fully extend them.

5) If necessary, tilt the washing machine forward, which will allow the back feet to self-adjust. Recheck for level, and adjust the front feet again.

6) Plug in the machine and run it empty through the spin cycle to see if it still vibrates. If it does, call an appliance repairperson or contact the manufacturer for possible solutions.

Washing Machine Doesn’t Drain

If your washer fills and agitates but doesn’t drain, something is probably wrong with the drain hose or the pump. The fact that the washer fills and agitates tells you that the motor works and the belt is fine (though some units have a separate belt for the pump, and direct-drive washing machines don’t have belts.)

1) Be sure the drain hose isn’t kinked.