Question 1

it takes forever to fill, like 15 minutes just to get enough water to start washing.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The water inlet valve screens are clogged with mineral deposits or sediment from your home's water supply. FIX Unplug the washer and turn off the hot and cold water supply valves at the wall. Disconnect the fill hoses from the back of the machine. Use needle-nose pliers to gently pull out the small mesh screens from the valve inlets. Rinse them clean and reinstall. IF THAT DIDN't WORK The water pressure from your house might be too low. Check that both supply valves are fully open and that the hoses aren't kinked. HEADS UP This is maintenance. Do this cleaning once a year if you have hard water to prevent slow fill times and potential valve failure.

Question 2

the washer is off balance every single load, it thumps and stops during spin.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS You're either overloading the machine or loading it in a way that creates a lopsided mass (like one heavy blanket). FIX Load items loosely and evenly around the wash plate. Mix large and small items. Do not exceed the tub's capacity. For a single bulky item like a comforter, add a few towels to help balance the load. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The suspension rods that hold the inner tub might be worn or damaged. If the tub has excessive side-to-side shake when manually pushed (machine off), the suspension system needs service. HEADS UP The machine will try to redistribute the load a few times. If it fails, it will stop with an error. Don't just restart it—rearrange the clothes first.

Question 3

why does my ge top load washer smell like mildew, i just cleaned it with affresh last week.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS Residual moisture and detergent in hidden areas—under the agitator, inside the fabric softener dispenser, and the door seal—are breeding mold. FIX Run a cleaning cycle with hot water and two cups of bleach, not detergent. Then, manually scrub the detergent dispenser drawer and the area under the removable agitator cap with a bleach solution. Leave the lid open after every wash to dry. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Check the drain pump filter. A clog there can hold stagnant, smelly water. Clean it out as described in the drain problem fix. HEADS UP Using too much detergent or fabric softener creates a sticky residue that mold loves. Cut your detergent amount in half.

Question 4

my washer won't drain at all, it's just full of water and humming.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS A clog in the drain system is blocking the pump. The humming is the pump motor trying, but failing, to turn. FIX Unplug the machine. Check the drain hose at the back for kinks. Then, access the drain pump filter (usually behind a small kick panel at the front-bottom). Place towels, open the cap slowly, and remove any debris like socks, coins, or lint. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The pump impeller might be seized or the pump motor itself might be dead. After clearing any clogs, try to spin the pump impeller by hand through the filter opening. If it doesn't turn freely, the pump needs replacing. HEADS UP Bail out most of the water from the tub before opening the pump filter, or you'll have a huge spill.

Question 5

the lid on my ge gtw685 won't lock, it just clicks and the light flashes, it won't start.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The lid lock latch assembly is faulty or obstructed. The machine won't agitate or spin unless it confirms the lid is locked. FIX First, check for obvious obstructions. Unplug the washer. Manually close the lid lock mechanism with your finger. If it feels gritty or doesn't click, the latch itself is likely broken and needs replacement. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The wiring harness to the lid lock can come loose. Unplug the machine, open the console, and check the connection to the lid lock switch. HEADS UP Never try to bypass the lid lock. The machine will not function, and it's a critical safety feature.

Question 6

i keep getting an su error code on my ge washer, it fills but then just stops.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS SU means 'Sudsing' or 'Sud Lock.' You have too many suds, and the machine can't sense the water level correctly, so it stops. FIX Cancel the cycle, open the lid, and let the suds settle/disperse for an hour. Manually bail out some soapy water. Restart on a Rinse & Spin cycle. Use much less detergent—HE washers need only 1-2 tablespoons. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The pressure sensor hose might be clogged. Unplug the machine, locate the thin hose at the back of the tub, disconnect it, and blow through it to clear any blockage. HEADS UP Using regular (non-HE) detergent or pods that don't dissolve quickly is the #1 cause of this. Switch to a liquid HE detergent.

Question 7

why is my gt wash machine making a super loud grinding noise during the spin cycle?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The most likely culprit is a foreign object—like a coin, bra underwire, or key—lodged in the wash basket's spin tube. FIX Remove the agitator cap and the plastic wash basket. Look down the center column for any debris. Use needle-nose pliers to pull out anything you see. Reassemble. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The noise could be from worn drive system components. Visually check the drive pulley under the machine for damage or if something is wrapped around it. HEADS UP Always check pockets thoroughly. Small metal objects can damage the inner tub seal over time, leading to leaks.

Question 8

my ge top loader just shows 'PF' on the display and won't do anything, what is that?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS PF means Power Failure. The machine lost power mid-cycle and is now locked out as a safety precaution. FIX Unplug the washer from the wall outlet for a full 60 seconds. Plug it back in. The PF code should clear, and you can restart your cycle by pressing Start. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Check your home's circuit breaker or GFCI outlet. If the outlet lost power, reset the breaker or GFCI. Also, ensure the power cord is fully and securely plugged in. HEADS UP You'll need to restart your wash cycle from the beginning. The machine won't resume where it left off.

GE GTW685BSLWS Top Load Washing Machine

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