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How To Fix A Washing Machine That Will Not Fill With Water

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.

washer no fill water

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.

washing machine no water flow troubleshooting_1Your 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.

washing machine no water flow troubleshooting_3Check 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.

washing machine no water flow troubleshooting_2The 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.

Keith Schneerer

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.

More about Keith →

348 thoughts on “How To Fix A Washing Machine That Will Not Fill With Water”

  1. DIY Project Help Tips

    Mike,
    Possibly when power goes to the water inlet valve the fuse or breaker to the washer is tripped.
    This may be because you have a faulty water inlet valve or another electrical component in your LG washer is shorting out when power is applied.
    Find out which part on the washer is causing the fuse or breaker to flip or trip.
    It may be a wire is loose iin the washer somewhere or a part is bad and is overloading the breaker when power is turned on.
    -RR

  2. I have a LG From front loader, I have no water coming out of the cold water, and it keeps tripping the fuse after about a minute of trying to fill up.
    Any solutions?

  3. Not sure, other than not automatically starting the second time filling with water, it seems to make a different noise indicating it’s going to fill, but the water does not start going in. I have to turn the cycle off and restart for the second fill.

  4. DIY Project Help Tips

    JP,
    Can you tell us if there is any difference in the way the washer is performing?
    Any changes?
    -RR

  5. DIY Project Help Tips

    JP,
    Can you give us the complete model number of your Kenmore portable washer?
    We can then assist further and help you troubleshoot the issue.
    -RR

  6. My Kenmore portable washer fills the first time, goes through the cycle and after it drains completely, it does not automatically fill with water. Not sure what is different about the second fill cycle.

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