Washing Machine Repair in Rockford, IL

Read the code first

Modern washers tell you a lot. The manufacturers' own meanings for the most common codes:

• Not draining: Whirlpool F9 E1 (drain time over eight minutes) (Whirlpool), Samsung nd, 5E or 5C (Samsung), LG OE (LG). Check for a kinked or clogged drain hose and a clogged pump filter.
• Not filling: Whirlpool F8 E1 or LO FL (low water flow), Samsung 4C, nF or 4E, LG IE. Check both supply valves are fully open and the hoses are not kinked.
• Door or lid lock: Whirlpool F5 E2, LG dE, and on some Samsung models dC.
• Unbalanced load: Samsung UE, Ub or Ur, LG UE. Usually one heavy item; redistribute and restart.
• Too many suds: Whirlpool Sud, Samsung SUd, LG SUD. Samsung says this code does not mean service is needed; it is the detergent.

Each code has its own guide: Whirlpool F9 E1, Samsung 5C, LG OE, Samsung 4C and LG IE.

What the repair usually is

• Drain pump: $150 to $400
• Water inlet valve: $120 to $250
• Door seal or gasket: $120 to $500
• Drive belt: $100 to $200
• Control board: $200 to $500
• Motor: $250 to $700

By type, Angi puts top-load repairs at $50 to $300 and front-load at $100 to $400 (Angi).

Two cheap things that prevent expensive ones

Whirlpool recommends replacing washer inlet hoses every 5 years to reduce the risk of a burst hose and a flooded laundry room (Whirlpool). And use the right amount of detergent: oversudsing makes the washer pause and can trigger leak and water level codes; Samsung's first step for its leak code is to run an empty cycle and look for suds (Samsung).

Repair or replace

InterNACHI gives washing machines the widest range of any appliance, 5 to 15 years (InterNACHI). HomeGuide suggests replacing a washer over 10 years old if the repair is expensive, and puts a new one at $700 to $1,300 (HomeGuide). Maytag backs post-2017 washers with a 10-year limited parts warranty (Maytag), and Speed Queen sells models with 5- and 7-year warranties (Speed Queen), so check before you pay for parts.