Trying to wash your clothes but your washing machine will not agitate or wash? If your washing machine fills with water but then stops, here is the best tip to fix it fast. If you have a top loading washer, the MOST likely part to have failed is the LID SWITCH. Before anything make sure that you have the lid shut. The machine will not run if the lid is open. This is a safety feature so the machine will not agitate with the lid in the open position. Many times we can get into a rush and forget to shut the lid. If you have the lid shut and the machine has only filled with water and stopped, read on below. (If your washer is NOT SPINNING DRAINING, click here.)
Your top load washing machine has a safety feature built in that will not let it agitate or wash if the lid is open. If the lid switch in your washing machine goes bad, the washer will think the lid is in the open position. This will cause the machine to not do anything after it fills with water. If the lid switch is bad, having the lid either open or closed will make no difference. If the washing machine has power, has filled with water, then stops, makes no noise, then the lid switch is most likely the part that needs replaced.
The best thing to do at this point is to get the make and model number of your washing machine and type it into Google. Write the words “lid switch” after it and find the exact part for your machine online. Order it next day air and install it with the instructions included. If this did not fix your washer, there is another part that has failed. See below.
VIDEO: Troubleshooting why your washing machine is not agitating
The lid switch is the most likely part to fail in this circumstance. However, this is only the most likely and there may be another part at fault. Here is a short list of ALL the parts in your top load washer that may have failed (and caused your particular problem) in alphabetical order…
- Cycle Selector Switch – The cycle selector switch controls the speed of the motor and if it goes bad it can stop the motor from operating.
- Drive Belt – If the belt falls off or becomes worn the transmission will not turn and the machine will not agitate. The machine will make a humming noise as the motor will be running.
- Drive Motor – This motor turns the agitator and drum to wash your clothing. If it goes bad the machine will not agitate.
- Lid Switch – The lid switch makes it so if the lid is opened, the machine will not run. A bad lid switch will make it so power cannot get to the drive motor.
- Timer – The timer supplies power to turn the motor. If the timer is defective, the motor will not turn therefore no washer agitation.
- Water Level Switch – The water level switch (aka Pressure Switch) controls the water level. If defective the motor may not receive power.
These are the most likely parts that may have failed due to the issue we have explained above. Use safety precautions when doing any type of maintenance checks on your washer.
Not all top loading washing machines work in the same way. Some have different parts and operating functions. This guide shows the most basic and general method of fixing most top load washers.
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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Brad,
Since there are many different model numbers for Top Load Whirlpool Washers, please supply us with your model number.
We need to know if there is a motor control board on your washer and if so that can cause your No agitate till 6 minutes on timer issue.
It is either a timing problem or electronic control issue most likely.
-RR
I have a Whirlpool Top load washer, 8 cycles, two speed. Weird thing is when I set the timer to begin fill, no matter what type of cycle (normal, heavy, light, perm press, gentle, etc) (15,12,9, minutes or less) it will fill but won’t agitate till timer gets down to 6 minutes. Had an extra timer, new, bought and saved, replaced and that makes No difference. Same thing. I can get 6 minute wash and agitate but not 9, 12, 15. What could it be?
I have a whirlpool duet washer that will not start washing and is making a buzzing sound coming from the motor. My display works door locks but it will not fill or spin.
Whirlpool washer fills but will not agitate,move dial to spin and washer spins and drains, I lift lid spin cycle stops, close lid and spin continues. Move dial to rinse washer fills then does nothing. What could the problem be?
m,
If your GE top load washer works fine in all aspects except the agitator does not turn, the agitator itself, the agitator cogs or dogs, agitator bolt or cap, or the motor coupler may be bad. You will have to remove the agitator and see what is causing the issue. Let us know what you find and we can assist from there.
-RR
I have an older model GE top loading washing machine. The door switch works, the machine fills and drains, and the big tub will spin at the end. The problem is the agitator wont turn and agitate the clothes. It does move, a slight jerking motion, seems to move about an inch at a time. Any ideas what this might be, and is it something I can fix myself?
Chris Kaiser,
Have you checked the lid switch? It may have an intermittent issue. Or… If the washer is working a complete cycle in delicate, then another issue could be your timer assembly is bad (has bad spots) or the wires that are going to it are not connected properly or damaged. Retrace all wires coming out of the timer assembly to be sure they are connected properly. Let us know what you find.
-RR