FAQs | Washers

If your top load washer fills with water but then stops washing, be sure to check your circuit breaker/fuse and both the outlet and plug where the washer receives power. Washers should plug into their own separate, dedicated outlet. If you ensure the circuit breaker, plug, and outlet are all functioning properly, it’s not likely to be a power supply issue. For further troubleshooting tips to help you get your washer working again, check this article.

If your top load washer will not spin, there are several things you can check to troubleshoot the issue.

• Full-size top-load washers may pause up to three minutes between cycles as the timer advances forward. Wait a few minutes to see if the washer will begin to spin.
• If washer displays the code dE or E2 on the control panel, it indicates that the lid has been opened, which will cause your washer to pause. These codes will flash for about 30 seconds before the appliance shuts off and you’ll need to restart the wash cycle.
• If the washer isn’t properly leveled and filled, it will shut down mid-cycle. Check if the washer needs to be leveled.
• If the washer basket is over filled with laundry beyond the balance ring, it may become unbalanced and begin to shake. This may cause your washer to stop the cycle. Try to remove some of the clothing and restart the cycle.

For more detailed information on troubleshooting these issues, check this article.

If your washer is not draining, wait a few minutes. For many models, it is normal to have pauses between cycles of up to 3 minutes.

• If it is a 1994 or older model washer, make sure the lid is down. Since these older washers spin and drain at the same time, the lid must be down for it to operate.
• Make sure the drain hose isn’t kinked or clogged.
• On 2015 and newer models, if the Rinse light is flashing or “Po” is scrolling on the display, it means the washer has taken too long to drain and you may have a clog.

For more troubleshooting information on top-load washers that won’t drain, check this article.

The steps you take to troubleshoot a leaking washer depends on which type of washer you have and whether you also have oil leaking out. Check the troubleshooting article from this list that best fits your leaking situation:

• Front Load Washer - Leaking Water
• Top Load Washer - Leaking Water in Front
• Washer - Leaking in Rear
• Washer - Overflowing
• Washer - Leaking Oil on Floor

Hydrowave washing machines work differently than regular washers. Once the machine is filled with clothing and the water fills the drum, it briefly pauses while the smart-drive system senses the load. After sensing, it will engage the drive system and start agitating with a back and forth swooshing sound. For more information about the Hydrowave washer, read this article.

When the lid is closed on a Hydrowave washing machine, the washer senses the load and engages a smart-drive system that produces less noise and reduces wear on clothing while it maintains great cleaning performance. The click you hear is when the drive system engages before it begins to agitate. To learn more about the different sounds the washer makes during its cycles and watch a video about the Hydrowave, check this article.

When your washer isn’t filling, there are numerous reasons why this could happen. To troubleshoot the issue, start by making sure the fuse or circuit breaker to the washing machine are functioning properly. Also, make sure the hot and cold faucets to the washer are open and working. Verify that the wash cycle hasn’t been stopped for some reason. For more tips on troubleshooting issues with your washing machine filling properly, read this washer support article.

Various models of GE Appliances washers may make different sounds while operating. To find some of the normal sounds you will hear during the cycle, visit this washer support page.

The electronic controls of the washer can lock up if there is a pause or interruption of the wash cycle while the washer is in use. A pause or interruption during the wash cycle may occur because of the following situations:

• Power failure
• New washer left in test mode while being assembled at the factory
• Washer was stopped before the wash cycle was complete
• Stop/Pause button pressed to temporarily stop the cycle and was not reset. If this happens, the washer will pump out and spin after 24 hours, but the controls may stay stuck in the final spin portion of the cycle.

For more information on troubleshooting this issue, visit this washer support page.

If your top load washer starts draining water at the same time as it is filling the tub with water, please check for these possible issues:

• Make sure your house drainpipe is at least 30 inches high. Then, make sure the drain hose is not pushed too far down into the drain. Only 5 to 7 inches of the drain hose should be pushed down into your drainpipe. Also, you must leave an air gap around the drain hose because a snug fit can create a siphoning action.
• If your house drain is not at least 30 inches high, a drain hose clip (also called an anti-siphon clip) is included in the washer installation package. It attaches onto the drain hose and then onto the back of the washer to lift the drain hose up to a proper height to prevent siphoning. For more information, please check out our Washer - Drain Height article.

For more information and to watch a short video, visit this washer support article.

Occasionally, clothing may get caught under the agitator of your GE Appliances washer.

Our top load washers made from 1995 to present require a Bodewell technician to remove the agitator. Click here to schedule a Bodewell service appointment.

For information on removing the agitator on GE Appliances washer models made before 1995, try this washer support article.

• If your washer is new and recently installed but vibrates or makes noise when used, make sure all shipping materials have been removed. Learn more about what type of shipping materials are used in this article.
• Ensure that your washer is level so that it doesn’t shake or vibrate when spinning at high speeds. For information about leveling your washer, read more here.
• Check to see if your load of clothing has become unbalanced. If your garments end up on one side of the washer, the load can become unbalanced and cause the washer to shake and "walk" as it spins. Pause the washer and redistribute the items more evenly around the drum.

If your freshly washed clothes seem too wet after the wash cycle is complete, check for the following issues:

• Slow spin speed will eliminate less water than a fast spin speed, so make sure the spin speed is set properly.
• Cold water can make clothes feel more wet, so if the ground water temperature is very low where you live or during a certain season of the year, this could make the clothes seem to be more wet.
• Oversudsing from too much detergent may slow down the final spin cycle, causing a suds lock. Using high efficiency (HE) detergent decreases the possibility of suds lock happening.

To learn more about troubleshooting this issue, visit this washer support article.

You should refer to the owner’s manual for your specific washer for the proper ratio of water and clothes for your washer. You can also refer to the chart in this washer support article to help determine proper water levels for your washing machine.

Consider one of these issues if your clothing has excessive lint after washing and drying:

• Your lint filter may be full; try emptying it before each load.
• If you use granular detergent, it may leave a powdery residue on your fabric when water temperatures are colder.
• Washing some lint-producing fabrics such as terry cloth with darker clothing allows the lint to transfer to the dark fabrics.

For more ways to troubleshoot excessive lint issues and find solutions to the problem, visit this article.

To reduce the amount of wrinkling in your clothes, try these suggestions:

• Sort your load so that heavy items aren’t with lightweight clothing.
• Ensure your load isn’t over-filled and crowded in the washer drum.
• Use the proper wash cycle for the items you are washing.
• Make sure you use the proper temperature for the fabric type.
• Use a fabric softener in the washer or dryer.
• Remove your clothes from the dryer promptly.

For more ideas on how to reduce wrinkling, check this article.

If you are having issues with the water temperature for your washing machine, please check for these issues:

• Make sure the hot and cold water supply valves are both turned on.
• Ensure the hot and cold water hose connections weren’t accidentally reversed when the hoses were connected to your washer.

For further troubleshooting information, read this article.

Sometimes when the washer lid is closed before the washer can completely dry out inside, the washer will develop a mildewy smell inside. Be sure to leave the lid up occasionally when the washer isn’t in use to allow air to circulate and the machine to dry out inside.

To learn how to get rid of odors inside your washing machine, check this article.

Occasionally, the timer may advance to the pump out portion and the washer will try to spin with a partial tub of water. When this happens, the washer will try to spin, then identify that water is still in the drum and stop to pump it out. It will then try to spin again, stop and pump out, repeating until all the water is removed. The washer will then complete the spin cycle. This is normal and won’t harm the washer. For more information, check this article.

Presorting your clothing will help prevent them from ending up knotted, tangled, or twisted during the wash. Here are some tips on sorting:

• Don’t mix heavyweight clothing with lightweight clothing.
• Be sure not to put too many or too few clothes in the washer.
• Set the correct water level for your load size.
• Avoid wrapping clothing around the agitator.
• Make sure the water temperature is not too hot for the fabrics you are washing.

Most oily or greasy stains are caused by splatters from cooking oil or drips from oily foods. These stains may be nearly invisible before you wash, but if they aren’t completely removed in the wash cycle, they may pick up dirt from the wash water which makes them more visible. The washer itself doesn’t cause these spots. For tips on preventing and removing oily stains, visit this washer support article.

If you notice your washer drips water or fills with water when it is not turned on, the water valve on the back of your washer may have failed. Such failure can cause water to leak from the water valve into the tub. If this happens, the water valve on the appliance usually needs to be replaced.

For service, schedule an appointment with Bodewell. For more information, visit this washer support article.

To remove a stain, you need to know what kind of stain it is. For example, to remove blood, soak your clothing in cold water, then wash in warm water. To remove deodorant from your garment, scrub the affected area with white vinegar. If the stain remains, saturate it with denatured alcohol and wash as usual.

To learn how to remove other stubborn stains, read this support article.

If your Spacemaker portable washer doesn’t enter the rinse cycle, the water supply may not be hooked up correctly. Make sure the supply hose is attached to the cold water inlet and that the cold water is turned on. For more information, check here.

Most GE Appliances washers have a non-staining surface on the tub. If you notice dye, calcium or iron buildup, try this tip to remove it:

1. Fill the tub with hot water to the highest water level.
2. Put 1 cup of chlorine bleach into the water.
3. Run a regular wash cycle.

For other tub-cleaning tips, visit this washer support article.

You can find the complete list of washer support articles here. You can also find support articles for most major appliances there, too.

GE Appliances offers several resources for troubleshooting issues with your appliances. Visit this page to learn about our knowledge base, support videos, OEM parts and accessories, and more.