Why Is My Washing Machine Filling Up With Water When Off

My LG washer was filling up with water when off. I checked the air hoses, blew air into the switch, blew air into the dome, removed the hoses, and drained them but still no success. The washer continued to fill up when not in use. 

I almost gave up before realizing that there was one more thing I needed to try before giving up and getting a new washer. CLR fixed my problem with the inlet valve on my LG washer. It cleared my stainless steel hoses of residual water. 

Amazingly the washer had no more leaks and no repair cost except for the $10 bottle of CLR. We decided to make it part of our washer’s regular maintenance. Here are the things you need to do if your washer is filling up with water when off.

Faulty Water Inlet Valve

The valve controls the water flow in and out of the washer during the rinse and washes cycle. If you see excess water in the washer’s drum, the water inlet valve is clogged with calcium deposits. To be sure about this, let the washer fill like usual and unplug it when you have enough water in the drum.

Pay attention to the tub. Does it fill? If it does, you have a faulty water inlet valve. Before buying any part, you have to ensure that your washer is turned off; otherwise, it may flood the laundry floor. Second, check the water inlet valve to see if it has continuity. Here are the instructions to confirm that:

• Disconnect the washer from the main power circuit breaker and water outlet.
• Find your water inlet valve and remove it. The water inlet valve has electric solenoids controlled by the electric control board. You’ll find the water inlet valve behind the hose connections.
• Check the water inlet valve for damage or wear.
• The water inlet valve also has a screen to check for debris, dirt, or foreign objects.
• Using a multimeter set to RX1, touch the probes to the valve’s solenoid terminals. The reading varies from brand to brand. If the reading doesn’t match, you’ll have to immediately replace the water inlet valve.
• Faulty Solenoids can’t be repaired. You have to replace them.

Replacing the water inlet valve and solenoids is the easiest route. Check out other errors that you are likely to get besides the washer not filling up.

CLR or Food Citric Acid Worked for Me

I first shut off the water supply to my washer. Disconnected and drained the water inlet valve. I poured the CLR into the hoses, reconnected, and ran an empty cycle. This allows the CLR to run through the valves and do a thorough cleaning. 

After that, I hold the open end of the supply hose up to allow the CLR to soak for several minutes before reconnecting again. Then I reran three empty cycles on a quick wash without any clothes or detergent to flush the system and clean the drum and other parts of the washing machine. I recommend you run several empty wash cycles before you do the laundry.

A safe alternative to the CLR is “food grade citric acid” (vitamin c) which is non-toxic and cleans well. After using the CLR, I replaced the cold water solenoid. So far, I have not experienced leaks for three months.

Faulty Water Level Switch, Pressure Switch, and Air Dome

An Air dome or hose measures the water level in a washing machine. When the water fills the tube, pressure is compressed. If the tube has enough water, the air pushes the diaphragm inside the tube on the water level switch. The switch then shuts the water inlet valve and prevents water flow.

If the tube has a blockage, the process won’t happen because of less air pressure needed to push the diaphragm. A faulty water level switch will stop the water inlet valve from closing.

You’ll have to locate the air dome’s tubes to fix this. They are found between the tub and the water level selection dial. Remove the hose and submerge them in water. Then pinch one end of the tube and blow from the other end. If there are air bubbles, you have a faulty air dome tube. Air dome tubes shouldn’t have cracks.

Use a flashlight to inspect the ends of the tube. That will show you if the air domes are blocked or not. If there’s no blockage or cracks on the air tube, they are fine. You’ll need to check the water level switch. The switch can be clogged or faulty. 

The switch is found behind the control panel and will have the air hose or dome connected to it. The switch controls the water inlet valve and turns off the valve when the desired water level is reached.

To check if the lead switch is faulty, you’ll have to use a multimeter to perform a continuity test. First, you’ll allow the washer to fill with water to the desired level and unplug it. Find the pressure switch and its terminals that control the water inlet valve. Pull the wires from the switch and test them using a multimeter. If the multimeter reading is zero, you have a faulty pressure switch.

You can’t repair a pressure switch. You’ll have to buy a new water pressure switch and fix it in the washer to solve this.

Low water pressure

Low water pressure may cause your washer to overfill. A washing machine needs enough pressure to close the inlet valves. The water pressure helps the washer perform at the optimal level necessary to ensure your clothes are clean. 

Check your washer’s manual to see how much pressure the washer needs to do its job effectively. If the problem is not fixed, your washer can break down, and you may have to go to the laundromat anytime you need to wash clothes. Call a plumber to check your washer’s water pressure and fix the issue before it’s too late.

With all the instructions provided in this article, you should be in a position to fix the issues very quickly. However, if the problem still persists you have to make choices. You either buy a new control board or call a technician to help you.