Washer Error Codes, Shaking and Loud Noises

What usually causes it

• Drain and fill codes. Usually caused by the same issues as a slow drain or fill: clogged filters, kinked hoses, closed valves or a failing pump or valve.
• Door or lid lock codes. The lock or its wiring is not confirming the door is closed.
• Unbalance codes. The control sensed too much movement and stopped the spin to protect the washer.
• Shipping bolts. A new front-loader with its shipping bolts still installed shakes violently.
• Leveling feet. A washer that rocks on one corner walks and bangs during spin.
• Suspension rods, springs and shocks. Top-loaders hang the tub on rods. Front-loaders use springs and shock absorbers. Worn ones let the tub bang into the cabinet.
• Tub bearings. A roar that gets louder as spin speed increases usually means worn bearings.

Washer showing an error code

The code usually points to drain, door lock, water supply or motor problems, but it is a starting point, not the whole diagnosis.

Check first: Write down the exact code and when in the cycle it appears.

Washer noisy or shaking

Heavy shaking usually means worn suspension or shock absorbers, or a machine that is not level. Grinding can mean bearings.

Check first: Level the machine and check for coins or a bra wire in the drum or pump filter.

Safe checks you can do

• Write down the exact code and look it up in the owner manual or on the inside of the lid or console.
• Power the washer off at the breaker or plug for a minute to reset the control.
• Check that all four feet touch the floor and the locknuts are tight.
• On a new install, confirm the shipping bolts were removed.
• Wash bulky items with a few towels so the load balances.

Parts that fail most often

• Door locks and drain pumps account for many front-loader codes.
• Shock absorbers and suspension springs wear on heavily used front-loaders.
• Bearings fail after a tub seal has leaked for a while.

How your home affects it

In older homes

Older homes in the Houston area often have smaller kitchens and laundry closets built for smaller appliances, older wiring, and shut-off valves that have not been turned in years. Old vent hoses and short standpipe drains are common, and both can make a good machine look broken.

In new construction

Newer homes in the Houston area usually come with builder-grade appliances, and many early problems are installation issues rather than failed parts. Upstairs laundry and long dryer vents through the attic are the norm, and both need attention early.

In apartments and condos

In apartments, condos and townhomes around the Houston area, space is tight and the building often has its own rules for access, parking and shut-off valves. Stacked washer-dryer pairs in closets are common and take extra care to pull out and service.

In garages

Plenty of homes in the Houston area keep a second fridge, a freezer or the laundry in the garage, where summer heat regularly passes 100°F. Garage laundry usually has a short vent, which makes it easier to tell an airflow problem from a dryer problem.

During storm season

Storm season around the Houston area brings power outages, surges and sometimes flooding, and appliances often show problems right after the lights come back on. Do not run a washer or dryer that sat in floodwater. Have it checked first.

When to call for repair

• The same code comes back after a reset.
• The tub bangs into the cabinet with normal loads.
• You hear a roar during spin.

If water is on the floor near an outlet, turn off the breaker before touching the machine. Do not bypass a door lock to keep a cycle running.

Need help? We do washer repair across Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties. Call (832) 345-9300, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM. Every repair comes with a 1-year warranty on labor.

Common questions