Common Problems with Whirlpool Washers and How to Fix Them

When it comes to high-quality, high-performance appliances for residential or commercial establishments, Whirpool is one of the best names in the industry. However, no matter what brand of appliances you’re talking about, over time, it’s not uncommon for certain parts and components to break down. And, Whirlpool washers are no exception.

So with that in mind, let’s explore some of the most common problems with Whirlpool washers and how you can go about resolving them quickly and easily.

Prepare Your Washer for the Repair

Before you attempt to service your Whirlpool washer, you must first take a few steps to prepare for the repair.

To get your home and washer ready for repair, follow these tips:

1. Safety first! Turn off the breakers. Also, unplug the unit from the power outlet.
2. Don’t move heavy items alone. Find someone to help you. For example, if you have a stacked washer and dryer, never move the appliances independently as you can risk hurting yourself, or dropping/causing damage to your appliance.
3. Don’t have any experience working with electrical appliances? If not, you might want to think twice about making repairs to your Whirlpool washer. Many repairs, especially those that involve removing or replacing internal components, require a trained professional. Otherwise, you risk causing more damage, which could potentially void your warranty.

What to do if Your Washer is Leaking

To fix a leaking washer, you’re going to need to check the waterline, water pump, and door gasket to try and find where your leak is coming from.

Checking the waterline

If your washer is leaking, the first place to check is the water supply line and your drain.The waterlines feed cold and/or hot water into your Whirlpool washer. Therefore, this is one of the most likely spots where you’ll see a leak.

Water leaking from the waterline can be caused by any of the following issues:

• A loose hose connection
• Damaged or missing rubber washer
• Bends, breaks, or cracks in the waterline

Follow these steps to check the waterline:

1. Turn off the power and the washer’s water supply.
2. Pull the washer away from the wall.
3. Examine the waterline for damage: If you find any damage, you’ll need to replace it with a new waterline.
4. Check the hose connector to see if the connection is loose. If it is loose, use a wrench to tighten the connection.
5. Turn the water supply back on and check for leaks. If water leaks from the waterline, you’ll need to check the rubber washer inside the connector.
6. Unscrew the hose connector from the washing machine.Look inside the hose connector. If the rubber washer is damaged or missing, you’ll need to replace it with a new one.Screw the hose connector back onto the washer.Turn the water supply back on to check for leaks once more.

Replacing the Water Pump

Your Whirlpool washer water pump is the part that’s responsible for draining water out of the tub. Therefore, if your washer is leaking, and you’ve ruled out any issues with your waterlines and connections, a broken water pump might be the source of your problem.

To check a broken water pump:

1. Turn off the power.
2. Carefully remove the access panel.
3. Unclip the drain hose from the tub and check for debris. In some cases, dirt, debris, or even clothing might be blocking the hose from draining.
4. Carefully remove the belt from the flywheel and check to see if the water pump turns easily. If it doesn’t turn, the pump likely needs to be replaced.

While you can do this yourself, replacing your water pump requires professional repair knowledge. So, if you don’t have experience performing these types of repairs, it’s best to call a professional.

Checking the Door Gaskets on the Washer

Your door gasket creates a seal around the opening so that water doesn’t leak out during a wash cycle. If the door gasket is worn-out or broken, your Whirlpool washer will likely leak when it is running. To check the door gasket, open the washer door, and inspect the rubber seal. If you see any damage or the gasket appears to be hardened or cracked, you’ll need to replace it.

To replace a washer door gasket:

1. Turn off the power.
2. Open door and carefully remove any clips that are holding the gasket in place.
3. Remove the old door gasket.
4. Wipe down area with a damp cloth, then allow to dry.
5. Install a new door gasket by reconnecting any clips that you’ve previously removed
6. Run a wash cycle to see if this has resolved your issue.

Washer is Making a Loud Noise

While it’s normal for your washing machine to make some noise while it’s running, loud or unusual noises mean that your washer isn’t working properly.

If you don’t find or fix the issue, you risk damaging your Whirlpool washer.

Worn-Out Washer Belt

If water is draining from your Whirlpool washer, but the drum isn’t spinning leaving your clothes wet, your washer belt is likely worn out. A worn-out washer belt will also make a lot of noise before it finally gives out completely.

To replace a washer belt:

1. Turn off the power.
2. Remove the washer’s access panel.
3. Take off the pump belt.
4. Remove the drive belt.
5. Replace the old belt with a new one.
6. Reconnect any other belts or connections that have been removed.
7. Screw the panel back into place.