Whirlpool Washer Clothes Still Wet: Super Effective Solutions
Are your Whirlpool washer clothes still wet at the end of a cleaning cycle? It can be distressing. If not addressed quickly, this can lead to a complete breakdown of the washer.
The most common reasons behind a Whirlpool washer leaving wet clothes are – uneven load, power failure, wrong setting, bad transmission, and poor drainage. Start by checking the load, power connection, and wash cycle settings. Then, you can examine the drainage system and transmission components.
There are also some less common reasons that you should pay attention to. So, let’s not waste any more time and get right into the details!
Troubleshooting And Fix For Whirlpool Washer Leaving Clothes Too Wet
If your Whirlpool washers are leaving clothes soaking wet at the end of the cleaning cycle, check the troubleshooting guide below. This will give you an idea of where to start.
1- The washer is overloaded
You can’t overload your Whirlpool washer; it applies to all models. An overloaded washer can mess with the cleaning routine and make the spin basket unbalanced.
As a result, your clothes remain too wet after the cycle ends. To solve the issue, you should try redistributing the clothes to even out the loads.
Then, you can rerun the drain and spin cycle to see if it works this time. Otherwise, the issue may be something else.
Note: Learn the manual’s load capacity to determine how many clothes you can put in your washer.
2- Inappropriate washer cycle settings
Another common reason behind the issue is choosing the wrong washer cycle settings.
Some settings are curated for delicate fabric where the washer tub spins less or doesn’t spin at all. Your clothes may remain wet if you choose the wrong cycle.
So, learn about all the settings and choose your options carefully. You may also have to perform an additional drain and spin cycle to remove excess water from the wet clothes.
3- The washer is not getting enough power
When your Whirlpool washer doesn’t get adequate electrical power, it can start to overheat and malfunction.
Power failure
Did you recently face a power failure? It can be the culprit behind the dripping wet clothes. A sudden power failure can halt the spin cycle midway.
A lot of the time, the cycle fails to restart once the power is restored, resulting in extremely wet clothes. In situations like this, check and run another drain and spin cycle.
Use of extension cord
Using extension cords for washers is a bad idea! It often fails to deliver the right steady power, causing the washer to overheat and stop mid-cycle.
You should use the standard cord to plug into a dedicated electrical outlet to avoid such situations.
4- Washer is not spinning correctly
Your washer needs to spin correctly to get rid of the excess water from the clothes. Several reasons can interfere with the spinning mechanism.
Bad transmission shaft and hub
A prevalent but often overlooked issue with a whirlpool washer is bad transmission. Transmission, also known as gearbox, controls the rotation and speed of the washer’s cycles – washing, spinning, and agitating.
The transmission shaft and hub can wear with time and get too dirty, hampering the regular cycle. You may have to clean or replace the components depending on their conditions.
Note: Accessing the transmission is a crafty task; consult an expert if needed.
Malfunctioning spin basket
A malfunctioning spin basket can disrupt the spinning process. Determining the issue is pretty straightforward.
Just run the washer in a spin cycle and monitor the basket. If it seems wobbly or fluctuates in speed, it may have gone bad and needs to be replaced.
Damaged washer belt
A damaged or worn washer belt can affect the spin speed. So it’s worth inspecting it for signs of wear and tear. You may have to replace the belt if it’s in bad shape.
Defective door lock switch
A defective door lock switch disrupts the performance of a washer. Check the door lock switch with a multimeter for continuity. A replacement may be required if you find any defects.
Faulty shift actuator
A faulty shift actuator can interfere with the spinning speed as it switches the transmission gears and monitors the spin basket.
If you suspect a defect in the shift actuator, replacing it may help the case. Also check the load sensor switch and replace if required. Consider seeking professional help for better understanding.
5- Faulty drainage system
The healthy functioning of the drainage system ensures that the clothes are adequately drained and ready for drying.
Clogged or kinked drain hose
A clogged or kinked drain hose will stop the water from draining properly. As a result, all the clothes in the washer tub remain soaked in water.
You can check for the kinks and carefully straighten them out. If you suspect a clog, take it out, use a snake drain to clear it, and run water through the hose to ensure it’s ready to use again.
Faulty drain pump
A faulty or clogged drain pump can also be the culprit. It can be a good idea to check the drain pump and hose together and clear away any blockage or obstruction.
To check if the pump is faulty, use a multimeter. Replace it if needed. An inaccurate drain pump height can also lead to such issues. Check if the height is compatible while you’re at it.
Blocked drain pump filter
Even when the drain hose and pump work perfectly, your clothes will fail to get drained properly if the drain pump filter acts out.
Carefully check the drain pump filter for stuck clothes, lints, or foreign objects. You can get it working again by getting rid of the blockage.
6- Excessive suds
Excessive suds can disturb the regular functioning of the washer by creating sud locks, resulting in soaking clothes. It happens when you use the wrong kind of detergent or use it in an incorrect amount.
Clean the tub and run a spin and drain cycle with the wet clothes to fix the situation. And most importantly, practice using a moderate amount of laundry detergents.
7- Cycle control issues
Cycle control issues can also lead to the washer being unable to drain the excess water. It can happen due to a fault in the control board or timer, leading to cycle malfunctioning.
Although it’s a less common reason, you should check the control board and timer to rule out the possibility. If you need to replace them, it’ll be better to consult an expert for better assistance.
Expert Tips To Make The Best Use Of A Whirlpool Washer
It’s hard to imagine a life without home appliances like washers in this fast-paced world. With the increasing cost of everything, taking good care of household equipment becomes more important. Check out some expert tips to maintain your Whirlpool washer below.
- Sort the clothes beforehand
- Use the standard cord
- Perform regular cleaning cycle
- Check on the draining hose and filters from time to time
- Use high-quality detergents
- Don’t let the clothes sit for too long
- Never ignore error codes
FAQs
Most of the troubleshooting ideas described here are based on common user experience. Let’s check out some common queries of the Whirlpool washer users worldwide.
Is it okay to put extremely wet clothes straight to the dryer?
Putting extremely wet clothes straight to the dryer is not a good idea. It can be damaging to the components. A dryer is not designed to dry clothes that are dripping wet. You must run the clothes through a sufficient spin cycle to remove the excess water.
How often should you run the clean cycle in the whirlpool washer?
The frequency of running the clean cycle in your whirlpool washer depends on factors like model and usage. A general guideline suggested by experts and manufacturers is to do this at least once a month.
What type of detergent is best for whirlpool washers?
Most manufacturers and experts suggest using high-efficiency (HE) detergents for Whirlpool washers. However, you must adhere to the recommended amount for specific fabrics and load types to keep your washer well-balanced.
When should you consult a technician or schedule a service?
You can try running the washer after attempting to solve the issue with the ‘at-home’ troubleshooting steps. However, if the basic DIYs can’t solve the issue, it’s better to consult a technician or schedule a service ASAP.
Final Words
Whether you own a front-load, top-load, or all-in-one Whirlpool washer, it can come up with issues leading to poor performance. It’s better to promptly take control of the situation to avoid long-lasting damage.
Remember, maintenance is always better than paying for damages. A cleaning ritual can help you prolong the lifetime of your washer. You can always refer to the manual for any confusion or maintenance tips.
