How to Troubleshoot a Whirlpool Washer Appliance

Troubleshoot your Whirlpool washer before calling a repairman.

Your Whirlpool washer has a number of moving parts that fill the drum, agitate the clothes and pump out the water. The more loads of laundry you do, the more likely it is that one of these parts will break down. Fortunately, you can fix many common washer problems on your own without paying for a service call. Take the defective part with you to the hardware store or look up the part number in your owner's manual to be sure you use the proper replacement part for your specific Whirlpool washer.

Things You'll Need

• Owner's manual
• Replacement parts (if needed)

Instructions

1. Make sure the washing machine is plugged in, the breaker switch is on and there are no blown fuses. Replace the lid switch if it does not click when the lid is closed. If this switch is defective, the washing machine will not fill or spin.

2. Clean out the drain hose at the bottom if your washing machine will not drain. If this does not correct the problem, the drain pump may be defective.

3. Look for the water pump assembly if your washing machine is not pumping out water. Remove the pump and try to turn the pulley by hand. If it is stuck, replace the pump and pulley.

4. Replace the agitator if it is stripped and your washing machine will not agitate the clothes. If it is stripped, the transmission shaft inside will not be able to grab the agitator and turn it.

5. Check the water inlet valves if there is no cold or hot water. There is a separate inlet valve for the cold water and one for the hot water, so be sure you are checking the right one for your problem. Clear out any debris that may be blocking the valve or covering the screen inside.

6. Examine the drive belt and motor if the washer does not spin. Replace the motor if you do not hear it attempt to turn on. If the motor turns on, but the drum still does not spin, replace the drive belt.

Tips & Warnings

• Unplug the washer or turn off the circuit breaker before removing or replacing any parts.

References

• Washing Machine Troubleshooting

Resources

• Whirlpool Customer Service Website