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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I have a Hotpoint front load washing machine model #WMFUG 842P.
When running a wash cycle I can’t see a water level on the front of the door.
It looks as though the water doesn’t stay in the drum during a wash cycle.
When it gets to the rinse I can see the water level on the door.
So clearly it does run the water in and it holds water.
My question is…is it supposed to show a water level on the door during the wash cycle or is it new technology so it’s trying to save water?
I’m thinking it would get the clothes cleaner if the water stayed in the machine to swish the clothes around in the soapy water.
Mike,
Check to be sure there are no SHUT OFF VALVES to the washing machine.
If you get water from the sink but NO WATER TO WASHING MACHINE, then some valve or similar may be OFF or CLOSED.
Check the water lines by removing them from the back of the washer.
Put the water lines in the sink and run water….
Does water come out?
If so, you have an issue with where the water hoses connect to the back of the washer.
There could be an issue with the WATER INLET VALVE or the MESH FILTER SCREENS.
What is the model number of your Washing Machine?
Please let us know what you find.
-RR
I have water to sink but no water to washing machine hoses. I have checked for any valves but there are none. Hoses look connected to each other at top of sink where you turn water on and off for sink and washing machine but water only comes out of sink tap nothing to machine hoses?
Did you get it working? Are you receiving any error messages? I have likewise problem, with “too many suds indicator” / 3E error code.
Just replaced the HALL/rotor position sensor to no avail. This is throwing parts at the old 3E error message. Going for the control panel next. Four year old washer that does no better than an 80’s model that would still work any time it’s tried. Bells and whistles are for kids, and those that get sold. MAKE WASHERS GREAT AGAIN.
Yazmine,
Check the water supply to be sure the LG washer is getting water.
Be sure the washer is getting the proper water pressure.
Check that the water valve is getting the proper voltage.
Be sure all wiring harnesses on the control board are secure and not damaged.
-RR
I have an LG wm2301h washer that won’t fill. Already replaced the valve and control board. Anything else we need to check?