Question: Every 3 out of 5 washes our washing machine will fill with water and just keep filling and filling. During this time, the water will drain out normally at the same exact time. Our washer is in an endless fill/drain cycle. It is stuck filling and draining until we unplug the machine. We sometimes just set the load to the end of the wash cycle and wait a few hours before trying again. Sometimes this happens and other times it does not. What could be causing this to happen?
If your washing machine (top load or front load) is filling with water WHILE it is draining, here is a simple quick fix. This issue happens frequently and about 90% of the time it is NOT THE WASHER MALFUNCTIONING. This “washer fills and drains at same time” issue can be fixed in a matter of minutes. See below for how easy this repair solution is. This easy fix solution will work on all washers including GE, Whirlpool, Kenmore, Samsung, LG, Frigidaire, Maytag, and more.
Answer: Your washer DRAIN HOSE is causing a siphoning condition. Your washing machine drain hose is pushed way too far into the stand pipe in the wall. There needs to be an air gap and by having the drain pipe pushed too far there is no air gap. This creates a vacuum or siphoning affect and the water is pulled out of the washer as it fills with water. What you need to do is pull the drain hose out of the stand pipe and put it back in making sure it is not in the wall too far or too deep. There needs to be a bend at the apex of the drain hose. It needs to be above the height of the wash tub. Once you have the drain pipe or hose in the exact position you need it to be in to not cause siphoning, tie the drain hose to the water fill hoses with a plastic zip tie so it can’t fall back down deep or pull out.
Top Load Washer Fills and Drains At Same Time
If you know of another way for a washing machine to fill and drain at the same time, please leave a comment below to assist our other readers.
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 haier HLP24E washer it fills with water at the start wash , then drain , on the rinse cycle the drain valve closes and rinse water starts to come in but the drain valve slowly starts to open up , so it is draining while filling , i turn the machine off and then put it in rinse and spin cycle to finish the wash ,, next i go through the cycle again but it does not always happen like that sometimes it will go through the cycles and does a wash the way its suppose to ? i have the drain hose the proper level 31 inches high into drain does anyone have this problem, if so whats the fix
Thanks much for this easy simple and very helpful diy tips on filling and draining washer problem. It really works. You guys are so wonderful people and helps a lot. May God Bless You All!
Oh am so grateful for this advise. My front loader washer had not be washing for two weeks but just following this simple instruction on this DIY repair, I got it working again. Am wowed…..
Youtube video is excellent I have not been fixing it for almost 4 months and I had decided to pay the washer service. I never knew about the siphoning means. Thank you so much for this create an awesome website!
Johnny Garcia,
Can you give us the model number of your GE Washing Machine?
Have you checked the drain pump as it may be faulty and letting water drain as the washer fills with water.
-RR
I have been trying to figure out my problem with a GE washer that spins from the start while filling and draining all simultaneously.
I took your advice by pulling hose out with only 6 to 7 inches of hose in the drain but it still does the same thing.
I have even changed the timer switch.
Wow what a simple fix to a problem that had our washer out of commission for 2 weeks (family of 7)
Thank you so much!