When your washing machine doesn't fill with water, it brings your laundry day to a complete stop. Sometimes this problem has a simple fix and other times it may require replacing internal parts. Here are some repairs that might be necessary when your washer doesn't fill with water and some things you can check yourself before calling an appliance repair professional.
Check The Water Supply
One of the first things to do is check that there is an adequate supply of water coming from the supply hoses. Verify the water line valves are open and water is flowing freely from the hoses. Grab a bucket so you can let water run out of the hoses to check for proper flow. If the washing machine was shoved to the wall, a hose might be kinked, and straightening the hose might solve the problem.
It's also possible a screen on the end of one of the hoses is clogged with debris that's blocking water flow. Look in the end of each hose for debris, and clean the screen if needed. If water is flowing at the usual rate from the faucet, a hose isn't kinked, and the screens aren't clogged, you can narrow down the problem to parts in the washing machine.
Test For Broken Parts
Call a washer repair professional to check the parts in your washing machine that might be responsible for stopping the flow of water. It may be necessary to remove some parts to check them or test them with a multi-meter to figure out which one is bad. The problem might be the lid switch or door latch, inlet valve, water level switch, or electronic control.
These parts play a role in activating the inlet valve that allows water to flow in the washer. The water supply lines connect to the inlet valve that adjusts how much hot or cold water to allow through. If the valve isn't working or if another part keeps it from working, water can't fill your washer. Once the washer repair person has identified the bad part, a new part can then be installed so your washer fills and operates properly with the right water temperature.
A problem with water filling can happen to a front-loading or top-loading washing machine. You may not have any warning signs of impending trouble. However, a common reason for this problem is a clog in a supply line due to a kink or debris, and in that case, it's an easy DIY fix to get your washer going. When your efforts don't help, then bring in an expert and their testing tools to pinpoint the problem and make repairs so you can use your washer normally again.
For more tips on washing machine repairs, reach out to a local appliance repair technician.
