Laundry appliance hub
Washing machines: troubleshooting and repair-or-replace guidance
Diagnose draining, filling, spinning, leaking, odor, and vibration problems, then compare the machine’s age with realistic repair and replacement costs.
Start with the symptom
Common problems
Won’t drain
Clean the pump filter and inspect the drain hose before booking service.
Compare costs for this problem →Making noise
Leveling and trapped objects are simple; bearings usually require a technician.
Compare costs for this problem →Leaking water
Shut off water first, then check fill hoses, drain hose, and the door seal.
Compare costs for this problem →Won’t spin
Rebalance the load first. A belt, motor, or control fault needs diagnosis.
Compare costs for this problem →Homeowner-safe help
Related guides
Front-load washer door stuck locked? Check the cycle, water, and controls
A locked door can be a safety response, not proof of a broken latch. Start by checking what the washer is still doing before trying to retrieve your laundry.
Read guide →Washer won’t fill with water? Check the faucets, hoses, door, and error code
A washer that stays dry or fills too slowly may have a paused cycle, unlatched door, closed faucet, kinked hose, installation problem, low water pressure, clogged inlet screen, or failed internal valve.
Read guide →Washer shaking or walking during spin? Check the load, level, and floor
A single heavy item, overloaded drum, unstable floor, uneven feet, nearby contact, or shipping hardware can cause severe vibration—but repeated banging may signal an internal suspension fault.
Read guide →Washer leaking water? Check the hoses, door seal, and drain
Where and when the water appears can separate a loose external connection, drain backup, dirty door seal, clogged dispenser, or oversudsing from an internal failure.
Read guide →Washer won’t spin? Check the load, drain, and cycle settings
An unbalanced load, low-spin cycle, excess detergent, or incomplete draining can prevent a washer from reaching full spin speed without proving the motor has failed.
Read guide →Washing machine smells bad? Clean the gasket, dispenser, and drum
Musty washer odors usually begin with moisture, detergent residue, or debris trapped around the gasket, dispenser, drum, or an owner-accessible filter.
Read guide →Washer won’t drain: five safe checks before service
Start with the filter, hose, and drain path. Stop if you find damaged wiring or cannot safely move the machine.
Read guide →Repair or replace a washing machine: a practical decision guide
Age matters, but the repair type, current condition, and installed replacement cost matter more.
Read guide →Make the next decision
Compare age, repair cost, and replacement cost.
The checker organizes the options using the appliance and symptom you choose. It does not replace diagnosis by a qualified professional.
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