Whirlpool Washer Not Filling With Water? Here’s What To Do

Have you tried putting your Whirlpool washer on, but nothing seems to be happening? Or perhaps it’s agitating the clothes, but it’s not filling with water at all. Before you panic and call in an appliance repair technician, check out our simple troubleshooting guide. 

Read on to learn about some of the common causes and solutions for this problem that are easy enough for even a beginner DIYer. Your washer will be up and running again before you know it.

This guide refers to all major models of Whirlpool washers, including:

2LA5700XMW0

2LA5700XMW1

2LSR5233BN0

2LSR5233BQ1

2LSR5233BW0

2LSR5233BZ1

3CA2000XMW0

GHW9100LW1

GHW9100LW2

GHW9150PW0

GHW9150PW4

GHW9200LW0

LSQ8243HQ0

LSR7233EQ0

LSR8233EQ0

LXR9245EQ1

WFW72HEDW0

WFW9150WW00

WTW4800XQ2

WTW4800XQ4

WTW5000DW1

Issues with water supply

When it comes to any washer, the water supply system is pretty straightforward. Water comes straight from your home’s plumbing system and is drawn to your washer via two hoses—one hot and one cold. 

To figure out if you have a water supply issue, listen when you turn on your Whirlpool washer. If you can hear a humming sound, as if your washer is trying to draw water but is unable to, then there may be a problem with the water supply. 

How to fix it:

• Check that the water is working in the rest of your house. If you have a local water outage in your area, that could be behind the issue. 
• Check to ensure that the water supply valves are fully open. If you’ve had recent repairs done to your washer, or you recently installed it, the valves may be still set to close. 
• Check to see if the inlet hoses are kinked or twisted—this can block the water supply to the washing machine.
• Check your home’s water pressure settings. If the settings are too low, your washer may not be able to draw enough water to fill properly. 

Faulty water inlet valve

In Whirlpool washing machines, the water inlet valve controls the flow of water into the machine. If you’ve ruled out any other water supply issues, then the water inlet valve might be to blame. If the water inlet valve is faulty, your washer might fill very slowly, or possibly not at all. The machine might also make a low humming noise during the cycle.

To fix the valve:

• Unplug your washer and turn off the water supply.
• Locate the water inlet valve, referring to your Whirlpool manual if necessary. You might need to remove the back panel to gain access. 
• Check the valve for wear and tear, such as corrosion or other damage. If the valve is faulty, it will need to be replaced. 
• Use a multimeter to test the valve’s solenoids. A lack of continuity indicates that the solenoids are defective, and the entire valve will need to be replaced. 
• Order a replacement valve online, ensuring it is compatible with your model of Whirlpool washer. 
• Remove the old valve and replace it with the new one. You’ll need to ensure the hose connections, wiring, and mounting are all in place. 
• Turn the washer and water supply back on and run a test cycle. Check to ensure there are no leaks around where the hoses were reconnected. 

Buildup in inlet screens

The inlet screens are located where the washing machine hoses connect to the washer. They work to filter sediment and particles from the water before it goes into the machine. Over time, particularly if your area has water with a high mineral content, these screens can become blocked, even to the extent that they prevent water from filling your machine. 

Once you’ve eliminated water supply issues and a water inlet valve as possible causes, checking the inlet screens should be your next step. If they are clogged, you will have noticed a gradual decline in your washer’s performance, with the drum taking longer and longer to fill. 

To clean or replace the screens:

• Disconnect your washer from the power supply and the water supply.
• Unscrew the hoses from the washer to access the inlet screens. You may need to use pliers to remove them 
• Check the screens for debris or sediment buildup. If they appear clogged, use a soft brush to clean them. 
• If they can’t be cleaned (for example, if there is hard mineral buildup) or if the screens are damaged or worn, you will need to replace them.
• Order replacement screens, ensuring they are compatible with your model of Whirlpool washer. 
• Put the new screens in place, and reattach the water supply hoses. 
• Turn the power and water supply back on, and run a test cycle to see if your washer is now filling correctly.

Faulty lid switch

The lid switch on your Whirlpool washer is designed to prevent the washer from operating while the lid is open. This is a safety feature, as it could be dangerous to touch the interior of the machine while it’s spinning or agitating. It also prevents water from splashing out of the machine. 

If the lid switch is faulty, your machine may be incorrectly sensing that the lid is open, even when it isn’t. If your washer does not fill, agitate, or spin, then the lid switch may be to blame. Here’s how to fix it:

• Unplug your Whirlpool washer.
• Access the lid switch—in most models it’s located on the right side of the lid. 
• Test the lid switch with a multimeter to see if there is continuity. If the switch is faulty, the multimeter will show no continuity.
• If the switch is defective, order a new switch online that is compatible with your washer model
• Remove the old switch, disconnect any wires, and make a note of how it’s connected. 
• Put the new switch in its place.
• Turn the machine back on and run a test cycle. Your machine should now be filling as normal.