What Causes A Washing Machine To Not Fill Up All The Way And How Do You Fix It?

When your washing machine doesn't fill up with enough water, your clothes won't be washed properly. Clothes may come out of the washing machine with soap residue still on them, making them very uncomfortable to wear. Thankfully, this problem is usually quite easy to fix. It's caused by a problem with the washing machine's water pressure sensor, which is what the appliance uses to determine how much water is in the tub. To learn what might be causing your washing machine's water pressure sensor to malfunction and how you can fix it, read on.

What Causes a Washing Machine to Not Fill Up All the Way?

This problem occurs when the water pressure sensor thinks that the amount of water in the tub is greater than the amount that's actually there. The water pressure sensor in your washing machine is consists of a disc that's connected to a tube. The tube runs from the water pressure sensor to the washing machine tub.

As the tub fills with water, water enters into the tube and presses air against the disc in the water pressure sensor. The pressure against the disc increases as more water enters the tub. Once the pressure is high enough, the water pressure sensor cuts power to the water inlet valve, which stops any more water from entering the washing machine tub.

If the tube running from the washing machine tub to the water pressure sensor is obstructed, then the water pressure sensor will receive a pressure reading that's too high. This happens if the sides of the tube are covered in limescale or if there's a small object in the tube such as a pebble. When the tube is obstructed, a smaller volume of water is required to start filling the tube and press air against the disc in the water pressure sensor — this causes the sensor to stop filling the washing machine tub prematurely.

How Do You Clean the Tube Connected to the Water Pressure Sensor?

Start by unplugging your washing machine and pulling it away from the wall. The location of the water pressure sensor varies depending on your washing machine model, but you'll often find it near the washing machine's control board. Remove the back panel of your washing machine in order to examine the control board. You'll be able to easily locate the water pressure sensor because it's wired to the control board and connected to a tube leading to the washing machine tub.

Remove the tube attached to the water pressure sensor by unscrewing it, check it for debris that is obstructing it, and remove any that you find. If you notice a considerable amount of limescale on the sides of the tube, you can dissolve it by submerging the tube in vinegar for a few hours. Scrub the sides of the tube with a wire brush in order to remove all of the buildup. Afterward, replace the tube by screwing it back into the water pressure sensor and the washing machine tub.

How Else Can You Increase the Amount of Water Entering the Washing Machine Tub?

If cleaning the tube doesn't fix the problem, you'll need to manually adjust the water pressure sensor. The water pressure sensor has a screw on the top that's attached to the disc inside. Turning this screw clockwise will cause the disc to rise slightly, which means that it will take a greater amount of pressure to cause the water inlet to shut off.

Cleaning the tube or adjusting the water pressure sensor will almost always result in your washing machine filling up with an ample amount of water again. If the problem still hasn't been fixed, call an appliance repair service in your area — there may be a problem with the wiring that leads to the control board and causes the water to shut off, and you'll need an appliance repair technician to check all of the wiring and ensure that it's operating correctly.

For more information, contact a local appliance repair company, like Northshore Appliance Repair Inc.