Three washer problems and useful checks before repair

Water left in the drum, a shaking machine and a musty smell call for different checks. Start with the symptom you can observe and keep the model number handy for the manufacturer’s instructions.

Water remains or clothes are very wet

Check whether the cycle finished and whether a gentle or low spin setting was selected. A door that hasn’t latched, excessive detergent suds or an uneven load can interrupt spinning. Look for a kink in the visible drain hose.

Some washers have an accessible drain pump filter. If yours does, follow the manual’s power disconnection and water draining procedure before opening it. Whirlpool’s drainage guide distinguishes these owner checks from models without an accessible filter.

The washer shakes during spin

Pause the cycle and redistribute a bunched load after the drum stops and the door unlocks. Reduce an overloaded drum. A single bulky item can be difficult to balance, so use the loading guidance for that cycle.

If shaking continues with ordinary loads, check the installation instructions for leveling and, on a newly installed machine, shipping bolt removal. Note whether the washer has recently been moved.

The drum smells musty

Remove wet clothes promptly. Clean the door seal and dispenser as the manual describes, then use the specified washer cleaning cycle and cleaner with the drum empty. Whirlpool’s cleaning guide explains how moisture and detergent residue contribute to odors.

If drainage trouble, shaking or odor continues, request washer repair in Mount Prospect. Include the cycle used, any displayed code and the checks already completed.