Whirlpool washing machine not filling with water

What is actually happening

The machine opens a valve at the back to fill, and watches the pressure system to know when it has enough. No water at all usually means the supply, the valve or a blocked inlet filter. Water that fills and immediately drains away points at the drain hose being fitted too low, siphoning the water straight back out.

The Whirlpool fault codes that point at this

A Whirlpool washing machine will usually tell you what it thinks is wrong before anyone opens it up. These are the codes we hold for this make that relate to not filling with water:

• C01 — C01 isn't a breakdown code — it's the second stage of Whirlpool's built-in test programme, so the machine has been put into diagnostic mode rather than a normal wash.
• F06 — The machine isn't getting any signal that the drum motor is turning, so it stops the cycle rather than carry on.
• F09 — The machine thinks there is too much water inside, so it has stopped filling and will normally try to pump out instead of carrying on.
• F11 — The two control boards inside the machine have stopped talking to each other, so the wash is halted.
• F16 — The washing machine's main control board has reported an internal fault in itself, so the machine stops rather than carrying on.
• F22 — The washing machine's control board has flagged a fault it can't recover from, so it halts the programme — usually with the drum refusing to turn.

If yours is showing one of those, that is a much shorter conversation than a general fault — tell us the code when you book and the engineer can often carry the part.

The usual causes on a Whirlpool washing machine

• The inlet tap turned off, or a kinked fill hose
• A blocked filter gauze in the inlet hose connection — it clogs with grit from the mains
• A failed water inlet valve
• A blocked or disconnected pressure chamber hose, so the machine misreads the level

What you can safely check yourself

1. Check the tap behind the machine is fully open and the fill hose is not kinked
2. Turn the tap off, unscrew the fill hose at the tap end and check the small gauze filter for grit
3. Listen at the start of a cycle — a buzz with no water points at the valve

Common questions

Why is my Whirlpool washing machine not filling with water?

The cycle starts but no water comes in, so nothing happens. The machine opens a valve at the back to fill, and watches the pressure system to know when it has enough. No water at all usually means the supply, the valve or a blocked inlet filter. Water that fills and immediately drains away points at the drain hose being fitted too low, siphoning the water straight back out.

Can I fix a Whirlpool washing machine not filling with water myself?

Check the tap behind the machine is fully open and the fill hose is not kinked. Turn the tap off, unscrew the fill hose at the tap end and check the small gauze filter for grit. Listen at the start of a cycle — a buzz with no water points at the valve. Those checks fix it more often than not.

What Whirlpool error codes mean not filling with water?

Whirlpool washing machines report this through their own fault codes. The ones that point at not filling with water are C01, F06, F09, F11, F16, F22. If your machine is showing one of those, that narrows it down considerably — each has its own guide on this site.

How much does a Whirlpool washing machine repair cost?

£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Other Whirlpool washing machine faults

• washing machine not draining
• washing machine not spinning
• washing machine leaking water
• washing machine making a loud noise
• washing machine not heating the water
• washing machine door will not open

Repairs we cover near you

• Washing Machine Repairs — what we charge and how it works
• Washing Machine Repairs in Nottingham
• Washing Machine Repairs in Arnold
• Washing Machine Repairs in Beeston
• Washing Machine Repairs in Bulwell

Written by the engineers at ASAP Repairs from our own repair notes. See also our general guide to washing machines not filling with water and our Whirlpool repairs page.