4 Whirlpool Duet Washer Common Problems

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ARS
November 2, 2021
Washer Repair

The Whirlpool Duet washer comes recommended by many of its users for its reliability. However, like all trusted brands and washing machines, the Whirlpool Duet is still vulnerable to components wearing out or becoming clogged over time. This guide looks at four of the most common Whirlpool problems that users experience: the washer not draining, turning on, spinning, or filling with water. By following these instructions, you should be able to fix most of these issues yourself.

1. The Whirlpool Duet Is Not Draining

If your Whirlpool Duet washer is not draining, it is usually caused by either the drain hose or drain pump. However, before checking those components, make sure you are using the correct spin setting and detergent. Washing large, bulky items can also slow down the spin speed and cause water to be left in the tub after the wash.

  • Check the spin speed. Selecting a slow spin speed or the “delicate” or “hand wash” cycle can cause the washer to leave excess water in the tub. Make sure to select the correct cycle based on the fabric and size of the load to solve the issue.
  • Similarly, if you are washing a bulky item, the washer’s sensors may lower the spin speed to balance the load. Again, this can leave excess water in the tub. Add some items to balance the load.
  • Use a high-efficiency (HE) detergent to reduce soap suds, as suds can also lower the spin speed.
  • Make sure the drain hose is not kinked, pinched, or obstructed by a small object. The drain hose should also be installed to the manufacturer’s specifications, e.g., not too low or high.
  • Check the drain hose for a blockage by disconnecting it from the washer at the rear of the machine. On most models, it can be unscrewed, or pliers can be used to remove the clamp that secures it.
  • Check that the drain pump is not clogged. Depending on your model, you may be able to access the drain pump through a front access panel or by removing the rear access panel.
  • The drain pump can be tested with a multimeter to determine if it has failed electrically. If the drain pump does not have continuity (a continuous electrical path), the drain pump is defective and will need to be replaced.

2. The Washer Will Not Start

  • Check that a circuit breaker has not been tripped in your home’s electrical panel.
  • Check that the washer’s control panel has not been locked. Pressing the Control Lock/Unlock button should fix the issue.
  • If the washer is stuck on an error code, pressing Start/Pause once or Pause or Cancel twice and then the Power button should clear the error code.
  • Check that the door latch is working. When you close the door, you should hear it click. If the door latch is defective, the washer will not start because it thinks the door is open. Cleaning the door latch and checking that the prongs are connecting properly may solve the issue. Otherwise, you may need to remove the door switch assembly and replace it with a new one.
  • Check that the control and display board are not defective by pressing the buttons on the control panel. If some of the buttons work but others do not, the control and display board may need to be replaced.

3. The Washer Will Not Spin

If the Whirlpool Duet is having trouble when it reaches the spin cycle, the washing load may be unbalanced, or the drive belt or door latch may need to be replaced.

  • For the washer to spin correctly, the load in the washer needs to be balanced. The washer usually becomes unbalanced when washing with too few or too many items. Washing large, bulky items can also cause the load to become unbalanced. The issue can be fixed by rebalancing the load or adding or removing some items.
  • Check the drive belt. If the drive belt breaks, becomes loose, or gets stretched, the washer will not be able to spin. To check the drive belt, you will need to remove the rear access panel. You can check if the belt is too loose by pressing down on the belt with your thumb. If you can easily get more than half an inch, it is not tight enough. Depending on the condition of the belt, you should replace it or tighten it by tightening the mounting nut.
  • As mentioned above, the washer will often not operate if the door latch is defective. You may be able to clean the latch or realign the prongs so that they connect with the door latch assembly to fix the issue. Otherwise, the door latch assembly will need to be replaced.

4. The Washer Will Not Fill with Water

If the washer will not fill with water, it is usually because of a defective water inlet valve. Other causes include the water not being turned on, the inlet filters being blocked, or low water pressure.

  • The water inlet valve controls the flow of hot and cold water into the washer. Over time, the water inlet valve solenoids, which open and close to allow the water to flow into the washer, can become clogged and restrict the water supply to the washer. The water inlet valve should be checked for damage and debris that may be blocking the screens inside the water inlet valve.
  • The water inlet valve can also fail electrically. To determine if it needs to be replaced, the water inlet valve will need to be tested with a multimeter for continuity. If there is an issue with the water inlet valve, it should be replaced rather than attempting to repair it, as it is very likely to break again.
  • The washer also requires enough water pressure. If the water pressure in your home is low, it will need to be increased for the washing machine to work. Check the washer’s specifications for the water pressure required for your specific model.
  • The water inlet lines may have small filters at the end of them. The water inlet lines can be removed and then checked for clogged filters. Unclogging the filters will often fix this issue.
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