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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Marian H,
Is the washer getting any water at all? What is the model number of your washer? Is the HOT water valve and hose connected to your washer and turned on?
-RR
I had plumbers come to change out my water heater, when i asked if they disconnected the washer, they said no, they just turned the hot water valve to the house off, then they turned that main valve on, i have hot water everywhere in the house, but it won’t go into the washer. why? the washer makes noises as if it is going to proceed, and the led lights are on, on the control panel.
I just bought a Fridgidaire front loading washer with steam yesterday, model FFFS5115PW.
First try on the machine I chose “Whites”. The machine filled and began the cycle then about 15 minutes in it starts beeping and screen states, “draining” and then “no water”. The hoses are on correctly without kinks including the drain hose.
NL,
The drain hose on the back of the washer needs to be placed higher up ON THE WALL if the washer is siphoning the water flowing into it. If the drain hose is positioned too low, it may drain the water out as it comes in. Either this may be happening or the washer drain pump valve is open and the water is going out as it fills. Check to be sure your drain pump is working properly.
-RR
GE washer, top load, WBSE2090A0WW – Can you explain what you mean when you say that the drain hose behind washer is positioned too low? I am having the problem where my washer has good water flowing in but it just drains right out, similar to other folks on here. You mention to check the drain hose position due to a siphoning issue, but mine is fastened/secured to the washer so there is no way to move it. There is only one place for the drain pipe to connect.
My washer was working fine but started to leak water from door, contractor replaced door seal for leak. We load laundry and run the washer after they replaced the part, machine starts but doesnt fill up with water. I checked valves, checked the hose and even filter for clog. I think they missed a step or did something wrong while they were replacing the door seal. But as i mentioned home warranty people dont send any other contractor and this contractor is not answering our calls or recall order. I will check the model number when i get home, thanks in advance.
Ishik,
If your GE front load washer does not fill with water, why would the door seal be replaced? You need to check the water valves to the washer, check that the water hoses are not bent or kinked, check the water inlet valve for clogs and proper power voltage to the solenoid valves. What exactly are the symptoms of your GE front load washer? Can you supply a model number?
-RR