FAQ - Washer Machine

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1. Location of washer serial plate.
2. Washer does not start.
3. Water does not enter the washer or it enters slowly.
4. Water is entering washer but tub/drum does not fill.
5. Water leaks.
6. Wash and rinse water temperatures are incorrect.
7. Hot or warm water is not hot enough.
8. Water temperature.
9. Water level is not sufficient for load size or does not cover wash load.
10. Washer will not spin.
11. Water in washer does not drain or drains slowly.
12. Over sudsing.
13. Thumping sound.
14. Vibrating sound.
15. Rattling and clanking sounds.
16. Lid/door will not open.
17. Clothes are too wet after spin.
18. Permanent press items become wrinkled.
19. Fabric is damaged with holes, tears, or fraying.
20. Lint.
21. Pilling.
22. Detergent residue on fabrics.
23. Items are discolored.
24. Water collects in bleach and fabric softener compartments in the dispenser drawer of the tumble action washer.
25. Care and cleaning.
26. Residue in tub/drum at end of cycle.

1. Location of washer serial plate.

• Model and serial numbers.
  The model and serial numbers can be found on the underside of the lid of most top load washers. They are located at the top, inside of the door opening of the tumble action washer. Record those numbers, as well as the date of purchase. Save the dated sales receipt for future reference.
  
  

2. Washer does not start.

• House fuse blown or circuit breaker tripped.
  Reset circuit breaker or replace fuse. Do not increase fuse capacity. If the problem is a circuit overload, have it corrected by a qualified electrician.
  
  
• Motor is overheated.
  The washer motor will stop if it becomes overheated. It will automatically restart after a cool down period of up to 30 minutes if the timer has not been manually turned off. If problem continues, call service.
  
  
• Power outage has occurred.
  Call local electric company.
  
  
• The wash cycle is in a pause stage.
  This is normal. A pause occurs between wash and spin. A long pause occurs in the soak cycle. Pauses occur during the reverse tumbling action of the tumble action washer.
  
  
• Cycle selector knob is not in the correct position.
  Turn indicator slightly past desired position and pull out knob.
  
  
• Power cord may not be plugged in or connection may be loose.
  Make sure the plug fits tightly into the wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord.
  
  
• Door of tumble action washer is open.
  Close the washer door.
  
  
• Dispenser drawer on tumble action washer is not completely closed.
  Close the dispenser drawer.

3. Water does not enter the washer or it enters slowly.

• Hot and cold water supply faucets are not completely open.
  Fully open hot and cold water faucets.
  
  
• Water fill hoses are kinked.
  Straighten the hoses.
  
  
• Water is being used elsewhere in the house.
  Water pressure must be between 10-120 psi. Avoid running water elsewhere in the home while the washer is filling.
  
  
• Water supply is not adequate in the area.
  Check another faucet in the home to detect a water supply problem. Water pressure must be between 10-120 psi. Wait until water supply and pressure increase before continuing laundry.
  
  
• Door of tumble action washer is open.
  Close the washer door.
  
  
• Dispenser drawer on tumble action washer is not completely closed.
  Close the dispenser drawer.
  
  
• Filter screens on water valves are clogged or restricted.
  Turn off the water, remove the inlet hoses from the washer and clean the filter screens. Replace the hoses and turn on the water.
  
  

4. Water is entering washer, but tub/drum does not fill.

• Standpipe for the drain hose is not the correct height.
  To prevent siphoning, the standpipe must be at least 33 inches high for a top load washer installation or 24 inches high for a tumble action washer installation. See Installation Instructions for more details.
  
  
• Drain hose fits too tightly in the standpipe.
  The standpipe must have a minimum diameter of 1-1/4 inches.

5. Water leaks.

• Drain hose is not in the standpipe or standpipe is clogged or restricted.
  Secure drain hose in standpipe. Unclog drain pipe. Contact plumber if necessary.
  
  
• Fill hose connection is loose at faucet and/or washer.
  Check and tighten hose connections. Install or replace rubber sealing washers.
  
  
• Use of a high-sudsing detergent or too much detergent in soft water can cause suds to overflow inside the washer. This may appear as a leak if the suds flow or drip onto the floor.
  Reduce the amount of detergent added if water is soft. Use a low-sudsing detergent. See "Oversudsing" for instructions on how to remove excess suds.

6. Wash and rinse water temperatures are incorrect.

• The hot water hose and cold water hose are connected to the wrong supply faucets.
  Connect the hot water hose to the hot water faucet and the cold water hose to the cold water faucet.
  
  
• Temperature control knob is improperly set.
  Turn the knob until the indicator "clicks" into position at the selected water temperature.

7. Hot or warm water is not hot enough.

• Water heater is set too low.
  Measure the hot water temperature at the washer or a nearby faucet with thermometer. The water temperature should be at least 120 degrees F. Adjust the water heater if necessary.
  
  
• Hot water is being used elsewhere in the home.
  Avoid using hot water elsewhere in the home before or during washer use. There may not be enough hot water available for proper cleaning. If the problem persists, your hot water system may be unable to support more than one use at a time.
  
  
• Water heater is a distance from the washer and water cools as it runs through the pipes to the washer.
  Open the hot water faucet at a nearby sink to drain cool water from the pipes before starting the washer.

8. Water temperature.

• Hot water.
  Hot water cleans most effectively. However, not all items can be washed in hot water. Warm water can be used for most normally soiled loads. Cold water washing is recommended only for lightly soiled or brightly colored items.
  
  
• Cooler water.
  To compensate for cooler wash water it may be necessary to use a liquid detergent, soak and/or prewash heavily soiled items, use additional laundry products to boost the detergent's cleaning power or increase wash time. Add detergent to the tub before adding the load (top load washer) or to the dispenser drawer (tumble action washer).
  
  
• To dissolve detergent.
  For detergent to be activated and powdered detergent to dissolve, the wash water temperature must be at least 65°.
  
  
• Cold water.
  Repeated use of cold water and liquid detergents may create an odor in the wash tub/drum. Occasionally select hot or warm water wash.

9. Water level is not sufficient for load size or does not cover wash load.

• Improper water level selection for top loading washer.
  Increase the water level by turning the Water Level/Load Size control to RESET and then selecting the desired level.
  
  
• The tumble action washer automatically determines the proper water level for each load.
  Because of its water efficiency, the water level will never be above the bottom of the door.

10.   Washer will not spin.

• Lid/door is not closed.
  For your safety, the washer will not spin with the lid/door open. Close the lid/door securely.
  
  
• Dispenser drawer of tumble action washer is open.
  Close the dispenser drawer completely.
  
  
• Load is too small.
  Add one or two similar items to help balance the load.

11.   Water in washer does not drain or drains slowly.

• Drain hose is kinked or clogged.
  Straighten the hose and/or clean the drain. The drain must be able to eliminate 17 gallons of water per minute.
  
  
• Standpipe is too high.
  Standpipe must not exceed 96 inches in height.
  
  
• Drain hose has been taped into the standpipe.
  Tape should not form a complete seal over the standpipe. The standpipe needs air to drain properly.
  
  
• Drain hose fits too tightly in the standpipe.
  The standpipe must have a minimum diameter of 1-1/4 inches.
  
  
• Tub is over sudsed.
  See "Over sudsing".
  
  
• Pump may be clogged.
  Call your authorized servicer.

12.   Over sudsing.

• Soft water.
  Less detergent is needed when the water supply is naturally soft or chemically or mechanically softened.
  
  
• Detergent is not compatible with type of washer.
  High efficiency (HE) detergents are recommended for tumble action washers. These detergents are formulated to reduce sudsing and assure proper cleaning. Follow the manufacturer's suggestion for the amount to use. Using too little high efficiency detergent may result in poor cleaning and over sudsing. Using a smaller amount of a regular detergent in a tumble action washer may reduce cleaning.
  
  
• Items were pretreated before washing.
  Pretreatment products remain in the items and may increase sudsing. Use less detergent than recommended.
  
  
• Laundry products such as oxygen bleach may cause additional sudsing.
  Reduce the amount of detergent when an oxygen bleach is used.
  
  
• Too much detergent.
  For optimum cleaning results, follow package directions for recommended amounts of detergent. Adjust the amount depending on type and amount of soil, load size, and water hardness and temperature.
  
  
• To remove excess suds.
  Stop the washer and advance the Cycle Selector knob to Final Spin. Rewash the load in cold water without detergent. Repeat if necessary until the final rinse water is clear.

13.   Thumping sound.

• Heavy wash loads may produce a thumping sound at the beginning of the spin cycle.
  This is normal. If the sound continues, the load is probably out of balance. Stop the washer and redistribute the load.

14.   Vibrating sound.

• Shipping materials were not removed during installation.
  See Installation Instructions for details on removing shipping materials.
  
  
• Load is not evenly distributed in tub/drum.
  Stop washer and redistribute load.
  
  
• Washer is not resting firmly on the floor.
  Reposition washer. Washer must be level front-to-back and side-to-side. Tip top loading washer slightly forward and back down to allow self-leveling rear legs to adjust. Adjust front leveling legs and tighten lock nuts. Leveling legs should not extend more than 1/2 inch. See Installation Instructions for more details.
  
  
• Washer is not resting on a sturdy floor.
  Set washer on a piece of 3/4 inch plywood. Additional floor bracing may be needed. Contact a carpenter to correct a sagging or sloping floor.

15. Rattling and clanking sounds.

• Foreign objects such as coins or safety pins may be in the tub/drum or pump.
  Stop the washer and check for foreign objects in the tub/drum. If the sound continues, objects may be in the pump. Call for authorized service.
  
  
• Belt buckles and metal fasteners are hitting the tub/drum.
  Fasten buckles and other fasteners. Turn items inside out.

16. Lid/door will not open.

• For your safety, the lid of the top load washer cannot be opened during spin.
  To open the lid, stop the washer and wait 1-2 minutes for the Safety Lid Lock to open.
  
  
• The door of the front load washer is locked during the entire wash cycle.
  To open the door during tumbling, stop the washer and wait for the water to drain off the window before opening the door. Stopping the washer will turn off the Door Lock indicator light. To open the door during spin, stop the washer and wait 1-2 minutes for the lock to release. Do not force open the door.

17. Clothes are too wet after spin.

• Cold rinse water was used.
  Cold rinses save energy and reduce wrinkling, but the clothes tend to feel wetter.
  
  
• Drain hose is kinked or clogged.
  Straighten or unclog the drain hose.
  
  
• Load is out of balance.
  Rearrange the load to allow for proper spinning.
  
  
• Load is too small.
  Add one or two similar items to single-article loads.
  
  
• Washer is overloaded.
  Reduce the load size. A dry load should not be higher than the top row of holes in the tub of a top loading washer. The drum of a tumble action washer may be fully loaded, but items should not be tightly packed. The door should close easily.
  
  
• Incorrect cycle/spin speed for load.
  Select a cycle with a faster spin speed. Select the "Fast" Final Spin Speed on tumble action washers with that feature.
  
  
• Pump may be clogged.
  Call your authorized servicer.

18. Permanent press items become wrinkled.

• Incorrect water temperature.
  Use warm wash water to help relax wear-wrinkles from permanent press garments. Use cold rinse water to reduce wrinkling during spin. Make sure water hoses are connected to the proper faucets.
  
  
• Items left in the washer too long after cycle is completed.
  Remove items when the cycle is complete.
  
  
• Washer is overloaded.
  Reduce the load size. A dry load should not be higher than the top row of holes in the tub of a top loading washer. The drum of a tumble action washer may be fully loaded, but items should not be tightly packed. The door should close easily.
  
  
• Incorrect water level.
  Permanent press and delicate items need an adequate water level to circulate freely.
  
  
• Improper spin speed.
  Select a cycle with a slower or shorter final spin. Select the "Normal" Final Spin Speed on tumble action washers with that feature.
  
  
• Fabric softener.
  Add liquid fabric softener to the final rinse water.

19. Fabric is damaged with holes, tears, and fraying.

• Damage may be due to normal use and age of the item.
  
  
• Damage can be caused by chemicals such as undiluted chlorine bleach, battery acid, hydrogen peroxide, acne medications with benzoyl peroxide, hairdressing solutions, etc.
  
  
• Garment may have been poorly constructed.
  
  
• Holes and tears were not mended before laundering.
  
  
• Snags can be caused during wear or by fasteners and trims in the wash load. Such items should be turned inside out or washed in a mesh bag.
  
  
• Overloading the washer or selecting an inadequate water level increases abrasion.
  
  
• Sunlight weakens fabrics.

20. Lint

• Abrasion causes short natural fibers to break off and form lint. Lint is trapped in the self-cleaning lint filter and then flushed out of the washer when it drains and spins.
  
  
• Detergent traps lint during wash and holds it in suspension until it is flushed out. Use the recommended amount of detergent to prevent lint re-deposition. Hot water is being used elsewhere in the home.
  
  
• Adequate water pressure and proper draining help remove lint from the wash load. Be sure inlet hoses and drain hose are not kinked or clogged.
  
  
• Sort lint producing items from lint attracting items.
  
  
• Remove tissues and paper from pockets before laundering.
  
  
• Detergent traps lint during wash and holds it in suspension until it is flushed out.
  
  
• To reduce static electricity, use fabric softener and avoid over-drying.
  
  
• Remove lint with a lint brush or roller or rewash and dry items in the dryer if possible.

21. Pilling.

• Abrasion causes pilling on synthetic fabrics and loosely woven or knitted items. The balls can trap lint and become unsightly. To minimize pilling, sort items made of synthetic fibers from those made of natural fibers, turn garments inside out, and shorten the wash time.
  
  

22. Detergent residue on fabric.

• Detergent residue is a white substance resembling lint which can leave streaks on garments and make them appear dull and rough.
  
  
• Detergent residue can be caused by undissolved powder detergent, too little detergent, poor rinsing due to overloading, misuse of liquid fabric softener, hard water, inexpensive detergents, and low water pressure.
  
  
• To remove the residue, rewash the items in the hottest water safe for the fabrics, using the recommended amount of a quality, low-sudsing detergent. Add a water conditioner such as Calgon® or Spring Rain® to soften the wash water. Do not overload the washer.
  
  

23.   Items are discolored.

• Greasy stains may be caused by undiluted liquid fabric softener.
  Rub the stains with bar soap and rewash. Follow instructions in the washer Owner's Guide for using fabric softener.
  
  
• Graying or yellowing may indicate an inadequate amount of detergent, the wash water temperature is too low, or the wash time is inadequate.
  Sort loads according to soil level. Use the recommended amount of detergent and the hottest water safe for the fabric. Wash loads long enough to clean, but avoid prolonged washing as re-deposition of soil and dyes may occur. To whiten or brighten items, use chlorine or non-chlorine bleach, if safe for the fabric, or a water conditioner.
  
  
• Yellow or brown rust stains caused by iron or manganese in the water supply, water pipes or water heater, or metal fasteners on items in the laundry load.
  Flush rusty water from pipes by running water into a nearby sink for a few minutes before starting the washer. Drain water heater occasionally. Install an iron filter in the water supply. Remove wet load from the washer at the end of the cycle. Remove rust stains with a rust remover safe for fabrics. DO NOT use chlorine bleach, which only intensifies rust stains.
  
  
• Greasy stains may be caused by undiluted liquid fabric softener.
  Rub the stains with bar soap and rewash. Follow instructions in the washer Owner's Guide for using fabric softener.
  
  
• Some dyes are unstable and bleed easily.
  Sort items carefully and wash some items separately. Follow fabric care label instructions.
  
  
• Ingredients in products.
  Ingredients found in products such as chlorine bleach, acne medications, home permanent solutions, battery acid, household cleaners, antiperspirants, hair spray, beverages, shampoo, and toothpaste can cause color loss.
  
  
• Dye transfer occurs when damp colored items are in contact with each other before or after washing. Sort carefully and wash some items separately. Remove a wet load from the washer at the end of the cycle and dry it in the dryer, if possible. To remove color if the garment is still wet, use a pretreatment product and rewash. If the item has dried, use chlorine bleach, if safe for fabric, or a color remover.

24.   Water collects in bleach and fabric softener compartments of the tumble action washer dispenser drawer.

• It is normal for a small amount of water to remain in the bleach and fabric softener compartments. Remove the dispenser drawer and empty water into the drum or sink, if desired.
  

25.   Care and cleaning.

• Remove the load from the washer at the end of the cycle. Odors may develop if items are left in the washer too long.
  
  
• Wipe the top and sides of the washer with a damp cloth or mild detergent and water. Never use harsh, gritty, or abrasive cleansers.
  
  
• Remove stains with a nonabrasive household cleanser or diluted chlorine bleach (1/2 cup bleach to 1 quart water). Rinse well.
  
  
• Turn water faucets off to prevent pressure build-up in the hoses.
  
  
• Clean the bleach and fabric softener dispensers of the top load washer. See Owner's Guide for instructions.
  
  
• Remove detergent or fabric softener residue from the dispenser drawer and recess of the tumble action washer. See Owner's Guide for instructions.
  
  
• Dry around the tumble action washer's door opening, flexible gasket, and door glass to prevent odors.
  
  
• Leave the lid/door/dispenser drawer open when the washer is not in use.
  
  
• To remove odors, add one cup chlorine bleach to the empty tub. Complete the Regular cycle using hot wash water and cold rinse water.
  
  
• Follow instructions in the Owner's Guide if the washer is to be stored in an area where freezing can occur or to move the washer in freezing temperatures.

26.   Residue in tub/drum at end of cycle.

• Washing heavily soiled items.
  Shake or brush excess dirt and sand from items before washing. Wipe the tub/drum with a nonabrasive household cleanser and rinse.