ServiceMaster

Diagnosing & Fixing Clothes Washer Woes*

The clothes washer is an essential appliance in many homes. It's a popular belief that when your clothes look good, you look good. To keep your wardrobe in tip-top shape, here are some maintenance and repair tips from the experts at American Home Shield.

Key Things to Know About Washer Care

Oversudsing causes leaks and blocks drains. To reduce the suds, pour � cup white vinegar mixed with some cold water in 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 lots 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 Safety Tips

Before making repairs, pull the plug and turn off the faucets.
Appliance models vary; see your owner's manual for information specific to your washer.

Troubleshooting Clothes Washer Problems

Problem	Possible solutions
Your washer doesn't work.	Check for proper power supply. You may need to repair the power supply. You may have an unplugged or defective cord. If so, plug in or replace the cord. If you have a blown fuse or circuit breaker, replace fuses or turn the circuit breaker back on. If you have a kinked water supply or drain hose, straighten or replace the hose.
Your washer doesn't fill.	If you have blocked water inlet screens, clean or replace water inlet screens. If you have clogged filters, check the inlet hose filters and clean them. If you notice a kink in one of the hoses, straighten the water supply hoses. If your timer is not set, turn the timer slightly or press the buttons firmly. If you have a defective timer, replace it. If you have a defective temperature selector, replace it.
The washer doesn't agitate.	You may need to tighten or replace a loose or broken drive belt. You may need to replace the agitator solenoid.
The washer doesn't spin.	You may need to tighten or replace a loose or broken drive belt. You may have a defective lid safety switch, timer or spin solenoid.
The washer doesn't drain.	Your drain pump could be jammed or defective. Clear jam or replace pump.
The washer vibrates excessively.	If your machine or load in the machine isn't level, adjust the leveling feet or load in the machine. If you have a defective snubber, it needs repair or replacement. If your basket is loose, tighten the basket's hold-down nut. If your basket is worn, it needs replacement.
The washer doesn't shut off.	If your air hose is disconnected, reconnect the hose to the water level switch. Replace a defective water inlet valve.
The washer fills but the motor doesn't start.	If motor hums, unjam pump or replace a defective motor. The overload protector could be tripped or defective. Reduce the wash load. Let the protector reset and replace if defective.
The water doesn't stop running.	Disconnect the overflow switch and the hose. Replace the water hose. If it's a defective overflow switch, replace it. It could be a defective timer that needs to be replaced. It could be a damaged mixing valve that needs to be replaced.
The tub fills with water but the machine doesn't run.	Check for a tripped lid safety switch. Make sure the lid is closed and check the switch. If there's too much laundry in the tub, check the switch. To check for a defective motor, take some things out and wait 15 minutes for the motor to reset. You may have a defective timer.
The motor runs but the machine doesn't agitate or spin.	It could be a loose or broken drive belt. Tighter a broken drive belt or replace it if necessary. If you have broken gears or transmission, replace them.
The washer leaks.	Check and tighten a loose hose connection. Replace defective hoses. Check the gaskets, and replace them if they are damaged. Check the mixing valve for cracks. Defective mixing valves must be replaced. Check for defects and replace bad parts of a damaged pump. If you have a defective overflow switch or sensor, replace it.
The washer won't drain.	If there's a kink in the drain hose, straighten the hose. Is the position of the drain hose too high? Make sure the hose is not emptying more than 3 feet above the floor. If the timer is defective, replace it.
The washer doesn't get hot enough.	Check the water heater setting. If it's too low, reset the thermostat to 140-160 degrees F. If the water supply hoses are misconnected, reverse the hose connection. It could be the mixing valve is defective. If so, replace it. It could be the timer is defective. If so, replace it.

To learn about the benefits of a home warranty plan, schedule an appointment with the experts at American Home Shield.

*Please note, the knowledge skill and experience level required to follow these tips varies. If you are in doubt as to your ability to properly and safely implement these suggestions, contact a professional. Every home, home appliance and system are different as are the problems that can affect them. Accordingly, the tips referenced above are meant only as suggestions to be considered for the listed problems. American Home Shield can not be responsible for any damages arising from any actions or inactions taken pursuant to tips provided herein.

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