Sears Home Services
Sears Home Advantage
appointment lookup logoAppointment Lookup
telephone logo646-440-2692
RepairHome WarrantyTune-Up & MaintainFencingShop Parts
Resources
RepairHome WarrantyTune-Up & MaintainFencingShop PartsResource CenterGlossaryHelp
sears home advantageSears Home Advantageappointment lookup logoAppointment Lookup
  1. Repair
  2. Whirlpool
  3. Whirlpool Washer
  4. Washer not starting

Whirlpool washer not starting

Common reasons your Whirlpool washer is not starting

The most common reasons your Whirlpool washer is not starting are a malfunctioning electronic control board, jammed door lock assembly or a faulty user interface.

  • 52%

    52% of the time it's the
    Electronic Control Board

  • 21%

    21% of the time it's the
    Door Lock Assembly

  • 13%

    13% of the time it's the
    User Interface Control

  • 14%

    14% of the time it's the
    Something else

  • Use The Repair or Replace Calculator

    Determine What's Best For Your Appliance

    Product Type
    Home Appliance Brand
    How Old Is Your Appliance?

    Most common repairs needed to fix a Whirlpool washer

    Electronic Control Board Replacement

    A malfunctioning electronic control board can lead to various failures in a washer. This is because the board serves as the brain of the washer, controlling crucial components such as the water valve, drive motor, drain pump, and cycles. If the electronic control board fails, the washer may not power up or display the cycle status. Additionally, it might fail to fill, agitate, spin, or drain. In some cases, a shorted board may emit a burning smell.


    Door Lock Assembly Replacement

    When a washer door lock assembly is jammed, you may encounter difficulty in opening or closing the washer door. The door may not latch properly, leading to issues in starting or completing a wash cycle. The washer might display an error code indicating a door lock problem. During operation, the door lock may make unusual clicking sounds or fail to engage, preventing the washer from starting. Additionally, if there is a malfunction, the door lock indicator light may not illuminate as expected. Users might notice water remaining in the drum even after the wash cycle has finished, indicating a potential problem with the door lock assembly preventing proper drainage.

    User Interface Control Replacement

    A faulty user interface control may become unresponsive and won’t allow you to change wash cycle settings or turn the washer on and off. In some failures, only one or two buttons or dials on the interface are affected, but in some cases the entire interface will be completely dead. Cycle status such as time remaining in the cycle won’t display properly on a defective user interface. Control keys or buttons on the user interface may also stick, causing the washer to exhibit inconsistent behavior, such as starting or stopping unexpectedly during a cycle. Error codes may also be present.

    What to expect when you experience a Whirlpool washer not starting issue

    How is the not starting problem fixed?

    Correcting most not starting problems usually involves replacing the electronic control board, door lock assembly or user interface control. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.

    Sears Home Services recommendations for a washer that is not starting

    When the washer is not starting it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of washer failures.

    What to look out for with a washer not starting diagnosis

    Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your washer problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.

    What our customers say about us

    With more than 1.3 Million 5 Star Reviews, you don't have to take our word for it

    Thanks

    Thanks for your expert analysis of the problem that caused the flooding of my home .I was scared the first few times I used the machine , but all is working great.


    Frank U, Coconut Creek, FL

    Excellent service.

    Pleasant person to work with. He explains things to you.


    Jacklyn J, Bessemer, AL

    Very Professional

    Very professional, thoughtful and knowledgeable I would highly recommend him.


    Marilyn W, Covington, LA

    Repair Washer Resources

    Title image for blog article "How Does a Mixing Valve Work?"
    6 min readNov. 26

    Learn how a mixing valve works to control water temperature in a washer.

    What's the Reason Behind My Washer Drum Being Loose and Banging Around image
    6 min readNov. 18

    Learn why your washer drum is loose and banging around and get professional advice on fixing it. Contact Sears Home Services for a reliable repair service.

    Title image for blog article "How Does a Hall Sensor Work?"
    7 min readNov. 14

    Learn how a hall sensor works in a washer to control spin basket speed and direction.

    Is Repairing a Maytag Washer Worth It?
    5 min readOct. 22

    Discover if it's worth fixing a Maytag washer with Sears Home Services.

    Glossary Terms

    Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. It contrasts with soft water, which has lower concentrations of these minerals.

    A washing machine pedestal is a platform that raises the washer off the ground, providing easier access to the appliances and often includes additional storage space such as drawers.

    A washer tub is the interior part of a washing machine where clothes are placed for washing, typically made of stainless steel, plastic, or porcelain-coated metal, designed to hold water and withstand the agitation or spinning during the wash cycle.

    Fabric softener is a laundry additive used to soften and freshen clothing, reduce static cling, and make fabrics feel smoother.

    Additional possible Whirlpool washer symptoms you may experience