If you are having trouble with your top or front loading washing machine not filling with water, here are some quick fix tips. This guide will show you what to do if your washing machine will not fill with HOT or COLD water. Both of these issues can be fixed by doing a few simple checks.
The main causes your washing machine is not filling with water MAY BE:
1. One of the water valves (hot or cold) supplying the washer with water has been turned off or closed.
2. Your washer has a shutoff valve on the back that may be in the closed position.
3. There may be a water filter on your washer that is clogged and tells the washer computer (control board) to not allow water to enter.
4. A hose or water connector on the back or inside the washer is defective or clogged.
5. The water to your home has been turned off temporarily (the city may be doing work outside and did not notify you).
If the washer is brand new…
Check the back of it to be sure there is not a shutoff valve in the closed position near the water hose connection.
Many of the newer front load HE machines have a shutoff valve and sometimes during shipping it is put into the closed position.
So your problem with your washing machine not filling with water may be as simple as just turning the valve to open.
Your washing machine may have a shutoff valve in the
water connection assembly, make sure it is not closed.
If the washer is not new and is suddenly NOT filling with water…
Your NEWER washer may have a water filter installed.
If so it may be clogged and telling the computer to not allow water to enter.
If your washer has a special filter, clean or replace it and test the washer for water flow.
If there is no filter on your washer then you will need to take further steps to find the problem.
Check to be sure the water supply valves that supply
water to your washer are not closed or off.
To determine if a valve may be shut…
Unplug the washer and slide it out from the wall to leave space to access the water valves.
Locate the 2 water valves (one is for hot water and one is for cold water).
If both water valves are open (hot and cold) then there is a problem in the washer or the water supply hoses.
Check to be sure that somehow the washer water valve has not been shut (may or may not be something on your washer but if so it is located on back of washer).
If you assume water is going to the washer and ALL valves are open, go to the next step below.
The HOT and COLD water lines will connect to the back
of your washer similar to the picture above.
To determine if water is being supplied to your washer…
Turn off the 2 water valves and remove the hoses from the back of the washer (not the wall).
Hold the ends of both hoses pointing into an empty bucket and open the valves.
If water flows then you know the hoses and valves are not clogged or defective. (This procedure will verify water flow to the washer and you can rule out a problem with the hoses or valves located on the wall)
While you have the water hoses disconnected, look into the hose connections on the back of the washer.
Make sure that there is nothing clogging the screen or in the hose connection.
If there is anything clogging the screen or blocking the connection, remove it and reinstall the hoses and test washer.
Some other tips and suggestions…
On most washers, if water flow is going to the machine but the machine will not fill with water, you probably have a bad water valve on the machine itself.
You can remove the water valve or hose connectors and see if there is anything visibly wrong with it.
Sometimes they crack and block water flow to the washer and may leak.
Washers that have a water shutoff valve on the back can sometimes fail in the closed position.
There are also hoses that are in the machine that may be clogged or possibly pinched.
This issue can be fixed yourself but taking the machine apart may be necessary to access all the hoses and water lines.
Feel free to ask us washing machine questions by using the comment form below and we will troubleshoot your issue for free and in a timely manner.
Written by Keith Schneerer
Certified Appliance Tech · Founder, RemoveAndReplace.com
Keith has spent 30+ years repairing machines, starting as a military mechanic and later maintaining food processing equipment before moving into appliance repair. He founded RemoveAndReplace.com to share field-tested repair advice.
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Thank you for your reply. Yes sir, I did check the hoses and they are fine. Even put new screens in them. The washer is acting the same as before I replaced the inlet valve other than it gets a little rough when it goes to spin now. But as far as water supply I’m still getting a trickle. Thanks for your help.
Kevin,
You may have a faulty door locking assembly switch. Do you have a multimeter to test it to see if it is working properly?
-RR
Stan,
Have you checked the water hoses and the water HOT and COLD valves on the back to see if the valves are FULLY open and the hoses are not crimped or bent? If you replaced the water inlet valve and it worked great for about 4 washes, is the washer working exactly the same as before you replaced the water inlet valve? Any changes? Still the same, just a trickle of water? Have you checked the water pressure switch? May be clogged and not letting water enter or restricting the water flow. What happens if you wash with HOT water only, do you get a trickle still or does the water flow as designed?
-RR
Our Whirlpool washer, model #WTW5800SW0 only has a little trickle of cold water. I replaced the water inlet valve about a week ago. Worked fine for about 4 washes then back to a trickle. Hoses and screens are fine and good water flow from hoses. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
My washer won’t turn on although all indicator lights seem to be working. I did notice when you turn it on the door doesn’t lock. It is a Kenwood front loading washer.
Sandy,
Check water level pressure sensor. It is a component with a long clear tube attached to it and behind the main control panel. If it gets clogged it will not let your washer fill with water.
A quick HOW TO:
Unplug machine, take off a few screws holding complete control panel on, remove panel by pulling out, water level sensor should be behind everything, look for clear tube, remove tube and clear it out if clogged, water pressure sensor switch might also be bad, it is connected to the clear tube, check to see if it “clicks”. Also be sure your water HOT and COLD behind washer is FULLY ON. If you need other assistance, please let us know. Be safe.
This video is not the perfect how to, but it shows location and how to take apart control panel to access the water switch (Watch the complete video to understand location and what component looks like)… Washer Water Level Switch
-RR
I’ve had a Frigidaire top load washer for about 9 years, today I did three loads of laundry, went to start the fourth load and it won’t fill with water. It doesn’t even attempt to fill, when I put settings where I want them and pull the knob to start the cycle, it goes straight into agitation, I’ve tried it at all the stages of the cycle and all others seem to work fine, but even on the rinse cycle, it won’t add water. Please advise where the best place to start troubleshooting would be.