Common Washing Machine Problems and What Causes Them

What Are the Most Common Washing Machine Problems?

Washing machines are hardworking appliances, and a handful of problems account for most breakdowns. Recognizing the symptoms and understanding the likely causes helps you describe the issue accurately, know whether it’s likely a minor or major repair, and avoid being oversold. Here are the most common washer problems and what typically causes each.

The Washer Won’t Drain

A washer that won’t drain, leaving water standing in the drum, is one of the most common complaints. The usual cause is a clogged or failed drain pump, or a blockage in the drain hose or filter, often from lint, small items, or debris. A failed pump or a clog is typically a minor, affordable repair, and sometimes a blocked filter can be cleared. Because draining problems have a few possible causes, a diagnostic pins down whether it’s a simple clog or a failed pump. This is usually one of the less expensive washer repairs, falling in the minor tier.

The Washer Won’t Spin

A washer that won’t spin, or leaves clothes soaking wet, has several possible causes. It can be a worn or broken drive belt, a failed lid switch or door lock (the machine won’t spin if it thinks the door is open), a motor or transmission problem, or an unbalanced load tripping a safety feature. The cause determines the cost: a belt or lid switch is a minor repair, while a motor or transmission is a major one. Because “won’t spin” spans cheap and expensive causes, diagnosis is essential to know which repair tier you’re facing.

The Washer Is Leaking

Leaks are a frequent problem with several sources. Common causes include a worn door or lid seal (especially on front-loaders), a failed water inlet valve, cracked or loose hoses, a leaking pump, or a clogged system overflowing. Most leak repairs, replacing a seal, valve, or hose, are in the minor tier. Identifying exactly where the water escapes is the key to a correct fix, since a door-seal leak and an inlet-valve leak have different solutions. Leaks should be addressed promptly, since water can damage flooring and the machine itself.

The Washer Is Too Loud or Vibrating

Excessive noise or violent shaking usually points to a few causes. An unbalanced or overloaded machine vibrates, which can sometimes be fixed by leveling the machine or balancing loads. Worn drum bearings produce a loud rumbling or grinding, a more serious, major repair. A foreign object caught in the drum, or worn suspension components, can also cause noise. Because causes range from a simple leveling fix to a costly bearing replacement, diagnosis matters. Persistent loud noise, especially grinding, shouldn’t be ignored, as it can signal a failing bearing that worsens over time. (For more on this, see How Much Does Washing Machine Repair Cost?.)

The Washer Won’t Start or Power On

A washer that won’t start has causes ranging from trivial to significant. It might be a power issue (a tripped breaker, unplugged cord, or faulty outlet), a failed lid switch or door lock, a control-board problem, or a failed timer or start switch. Simple causes are quick and cheap; a control-board failure is a major repair. Before calling, it’s worth checking the obvious, power and the door latch, since sometimes the fix is trivial. If those are fine, a diagnostic determines whether it’s a minor switch or a major control-board issue.

The Washer Won’t Fill or Fills Slowly

A machine that won’t fill with water, or fills too slowly, commonly points to a failed or clogged water inlet valve, kinked or blocked supply hoses, clogged inlet screens, or low water pressure. Most fill-related repairs are in the minor tier, replacing a valve or clearing a blockage. Checking that the supply valves are fully open and the hoses aren’t kinked is a worthwhile first step, since the cause is sometimes external and simple. If the water supply is fine, the inlet valve or screens are the usual culprits.

Simple Checks to Try Before Calling

Before booking a service call, there are a handful of safe, simple checks that sometimes resolve a problem or at least help you describe it accurately, potentially saving you a diagnostic fee. For a machine that won’t start, confirm it’s plugged in, the breaker hasn’t tripped, and the door or lid is fully closed and latching, since the machine won’t run if it thinks the door is open. For a machine that won’t drain, check whether the drain hose is kinked and, if your model has an accessible filter or coin trap, whether it’s clogged with lint or a stray sock. For a machine that won’t fill, verify the water supply valves are fully open and the fill hoses aren’t kinked. (For more on this, see When Should You Call a Washing Machine Repair Professional?.)

For a machine that vibrates or walks across the floor, check that it’s level and not overloaded, unbalanced loads and an unlevel machine are common, fixable causes of noise and movement that don’t need a technician at all. None of these checks involve opening up the machine or touching electrical components, so they’re safe for anyone to try. If a simple check solves the problem, you’ve saved yourself a service call; if it doesn’t, you’ll at least be able to tell the technician what you’ve already ruled out, which helps them diagnose faster. Knowing these basic checks is part of being a savvy appliance owner, though anything beyond them, especially electrical or internal work, should go to a professional. (For more on this, see Common Washing Machine Problems and How to Diagnose Them.)

Diagnosing the Problem

Most washer problems, drainage, spinning, leaks, noise, starting, and filling, have a few possible causes ranging from minor to major, which is why a proper diagnosis is the key to a correct, fairly priced repair. Recognizing the symptom helps you understand what you’re likely facing. When you’re ready to have the problem diagnosed and fixed, connect with a local pro below.