Your washing machine water inlet valve stuck open? Try this!
Is your washing machine malfunctioning? Does it seem like no matter what you do, the water won’t just stop flowing in?
Well, you might have a problem with the washer’s inlet valve being stuck open.
But the good thing is you are just about to learn how to fix the fault and make your washer work smoothly again.
So we are going to dive deep into this issue and see what it means, why it happens, and most importantly, how you can fix it (there are quite a few solutions that work).
Your washing machine water inlet valve stuck open? Here are the recommended fixes (depending on what could be causing it)
Now, there are a couple of different issues that might have led to your water inlet valve to be stuck open.
And each of these causes has its own specific troubleshooting and repair steps so we are going to look at each separately below..
Check for debris inside the inlet valve
This is more so if you have recently moved into a new house (or your washer was pre-owned).
Now, you might probably be wondering what this has to do with the valve getting stuck open.
Well, you see, washing machines come with mesh filters that sieve debris from the water going into the washer.
And the thing is, if these filters have been removed, the debris from the water will get trapped inside the inlet valve.
Subsequently, this usually prevents the valve from fully closing.
Besides, the filters might still be in place but they may have worn out over time, leading to some debris finding its way into the water inlet valve.
Suggested solution
To check if this is the actual cause of your water inlet valve problems, unplug your washer and remove the inlet valve(see your user manual if you don’t know how to do that).
Are there noticeable debris stuck in there?
If yes, simply clean the inlet valve to see if this fixes the valve.
Probably the water is frozen water – thaw the ice
At times, you may note that hot water works just fine but it is the cold water that seems to be flowing inconsistently.
As an appliance specialist, I have noticed that this is fairly common during the winter.
Here’s why…
Water might have frozen (of course, it will happen in the cold-water hose) and a piece of the ice could be wedged inside the valve (‘opening’ it)
Suggested solution
Take out the inlet valve and have a look at it to see if there’s some ice in there.
If there is, pouring some warm water into the valve should thaw out the ice and fix the inlet valve.
Your washing machine water inlet valve stuck open? Other repairs to try
Replace the inlet valve – it may have developed an unrepairable mechanical or electrical problem
Finally, it could be that your inlet valve is gone hence why it’s stuck open.
Now, to confirm if this is the cause of the valve being stuck open, remove it from the washer and test each of the solenoid terminals for continuity.
Pro tip: Remember that the inlet valve has two solenoids – one for hot water and the other for cold water.
Needless to say, if any of the individual solenoid valves lacks continuity, chances are that your inlet valve has failed.
Unfortunately, when it comes to the inlet valve, once it has malfunctioned, there is no easy way of fixing it.
The good news is that washer inlet valve replacements are pretty affordable – you can check out their prices below….
| Washing machine brand | Water inlet valve replacement |
| LG | Get it on Amazon |
| GE | Get it on Amazon |
| Samsung | Get it on Amazon |
| Whirlpool | Get it on Amazon |
| Maytag | Get it on Amazon |
| Kenmore | Get it on Amazon |
| Frigidaire | Get it on Amazon |
Earlier on, I mentioned that one of the symptoms of an inlet valve that is stuck open is the washing machine overfilling with water.
However, this does not necessarily mean that the inlet valve is to blame.
Instead, it could be that the water level mechanism has failed hence the washer overfilling.
Which brings me to a fix that is worth trying when your washer is overfilling with water………..
Check the pressure sensor hose and pressure sensor
As the names suggest, these parts are responsible for detecting the water level inside the wash basket and signaling the control board to toggle the inlet valve on and off as needed.
So if any of these parts has failed, the washer tends to start overflowing with water.
Pro tip: If you have tested your inlet valve and all seems to be fine with it, it is likely that the problem is with one of these parts.
Now, to see if any of these parts are the culprits, first disassemble the washer to access these parts.
Next, with your washer open, look for a clear plastic hose (pressure sensor hose) that runs from the drum.
First verify that this hose is properly inserted on both ends.
Secondly, double check that there are no leakages along the entire length of the hose.
Does all appear okay with your hose?
If yes, proceed to test the pressure sensor.
The video below will show you how to reach the pressure hose and sensor as well as how to test the sensor.
Washing machine water inlet valve stuck open – final thoughts
If none of the above steps seem to work on your washing machine, there’s a likelihood that the problem can be originating from the control board.
In a nutshell, the control board may not be signaling the inlet valve to shut off – This might be why your washer’s valve got stuck open.
Sadly, the only way you can ‘test’ the control board is by visually inspecting it for signs of burning or other damage.
That is because, unlike other electronic components, there is no direct way to test a control board, for example, by using a multimeter.
Keep in mind that if the board shows signs of burning /rusting, you should consider getting a replacement board.
P.S: When getting a replacement control board, be sure to purchase one that matches the part number of your current board to ensure it’s compatible with your washer.