Question 1

the ‘clean washer’ light is on and won’t go off, even after i ran the cleaning cycle

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The reminder light is on a timer, not a sensor. It illuminates after a certain number of cycles (often around 30) to remind you to clean the machine. Running the cleaning cycle doesn’t always automatically turn it off—you usually have to manually reset it. FIX To reset the Clean Washer reminder light, make sure the washer is in standby mode (not running a cycle). Press and hold the ‘Clean Washer’ button for 3-5 seconds. You should see the light either flash and then turn off, or just turn off directly. That’s it. The counter is reset and will start counting cycles again. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If holding the button doesn’t work, try a full control board reset. Unplug the machine for 3 minutes, then plug it back in. Immediately try the button-hold reset method again. Sometimes the control just needs a fresh boot. HEADS UP Even if you reset the light, don’t skip the actual cleaning maintenance. Use a washing machine cleaner or a mix of hot water and bleach (if allows) monthly. On this model, you should also regularly wipe out the detergent dispenser drawer and the rubber gasket around the lid to prevent mildew.

Question 2

it’s super unbalanced on every spin, bangs around even with small loads, i’ve leveled the feet

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS If you’ve confirmed the floor is solid and the feet are properly leveled and tightened, the suspension rods that hold the inner tub might be weak or damaged. They act like shock absorbers. FIX The first thing to try is a redistribution test. Pause the cycle during the spin when it starts banging. Open the lid (it will stop), and manually redistribute the clothes evenly around the basket. Close the lid and resume. If that consistently fixes it, it’s a loading technique issue. If it still happens with a small, evenly distributed load, the suspension is suspect. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK With the machine unplugged, you can do a push test. Press down firmly on opposite sides of the inner basket. It should have firm, even resistance and spring back smoothly. If it feels loose, wobbly, or one side is mushier than the other, the suspension rods or their springs are likely worn out and need replacement. HEADS UP Consistently running an out-of-balance washer puts tremendous stress on the cabinet, drive components, and floor. Don’t ignore it; you’ll cause secondary damage.

Question 3

the display says ‘nd’ or ‘nF’ and it won’t do anything, just beeps at me

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS ‘nF’ stands for ‘No Fill.’ The machine didn’t detect water entering the tub within the expected time at the start of a cycle. FIX First, check the obvious: are both hot and cold water supply valves behind the washer fully open? Is the water inlet hose kinked? Next, check the inlet screens as described in the slow-fill problem (clogged screens are a top cause). Make sure you’re not using the ‘Clean Washer’ cycle for this test—some models won’t fill on that cycle without a specific button sequence. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If water supply is good, the pressure switch (which tells the board the tub is filling) might be faulty or its tube might be clogged. Or, the water inlet valve itself could be electrically failed and not opening. These require a multimeter to test and are a job for a technician. HEADS UP The ‘nF’ error will usually trigger an automatic beeping alarm. You’ll need to press the ‘Pause/Cancel’ button twice to clear the error code before you can try starting a new cycle after fixing the water issue.

Question 4

it’s leaving black or gray greasy streaks on our clothes, especially on lighter loads

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS That’s almost certainly grease from a worn-out transmission shaft seal leaking into the wash tub. As the seal degrades, lubricant from the transmission can seep up the agitator shaft and get onto the clothes. FIX Unfortunately, this isn’t a simple clean-out fix. It requires replacing the transmission seal and likely the bearings as well, which is a major repair involving disassembling the drive system. For most people, this means a service call. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Before you call a tech, rule out every other possibility. Run a cleaning cycle with a washing machine cleaner and hot water. Wipe down the inside of the drum, the agitator, and the underside of the lid thoroughly with a rag and diluted bleach. If the streaks persist and have a distinct petroleum smell, it confirms the seal diagnosis. HEADS UP Continuing to run the machine with a leaking seal can lead to more extensive transmission damage and a much more expensive repair. If you see the streaks, stop using it for laundry until it’s fixed.

Question 5

it fills with water super slow, like a trickle, takes forever to start washing

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSUS A slow fill is almost always a problem with the water inlet valve screens being clogged with sediment or mineral deposits from your home’s water supply. FIX Turn off the hot and cold water supply valves behind the machine. Disconnect both fill hoses from the back of the washer. Check the small mesh screens inside the hose connections on the machine’s valve inlets. You’ll see them. Use needle-nose pliers or tweezers to gently pull them out. Rinse them under water and scrub lightly with an old toothbrush to remove any gunk. Reinsert the screens, reconnect the hoses, and turn the water back on. The fill rate should be back to normal. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If the screens were clean, the problem might be in the hoses themselves or the household water valves. Check that both supply valves are fully open. You can also detach the hoses from the wall valves and run them into a bucket to see if the flow is strong there, which would point to the machine’s valve as the culprit. HEADS UP If you have particularly hard water, you’ll need to clean these screens every 6-12 months as part of regular maintenance. It’s the most common cause of fill issues on any washer.

Question 6

the washer is making a loud grinding or scraping noise only during the spin cycle, it sounds awful

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS A grinding noise during spin is almost always something trapped between the inner wash basket and the outer tub. Coins, bra wires, and small metal objects are the usual suspects. FIX First, run a diagnostic spin test. With the washer empty, select the ‘Drain & Spin’ cycle and start it. Listen closely. If the noise is present, stop the cycle and unplug the machine. Now, manually rotate the inner basket by reaching in and turning it. Feel and listen for any catches or scraping. If you find an object, you can often fish it out with long-nose pliers or a magnetic retrieval tool through the basket holes or the center agitator cap. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If you can’t find an object and the noise persists, the issue could be a worn-out drive pulley or a failing transmission. That’s a more involved repair, but the grinding from a mechanical failure usually has a more consistent, metal-on-metal tone than the sporadic clatter of a trapped object. HEADS UP Always check pockets thoroughly. A single coin can not only cause noise but also dent the inner basket or damage the porcelain finish, leading to rust spots later.

Question 7

my ge gtw720 just keeps blinking ‘pf’ on the display and won’t start a cycle, what does that mean?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS That’s a power failure code. The machine’s electronics detected a brief power interruption or a surge, and it’s locked up as a safety thing. Yeah, this one’s common. FIX You need to do a full reset. Unplug the washer from the wall outlet—don’t just turn it off at the unit. Leave it unplugged for a full 2-3 minutes to let the control board fully drain. While it’s unplugged, press and hold the Start button for about 10 seconds to discharge any residual power. Then plug it back in. The ‘PF’ code should clear, and you can select a new cycle and start normally. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If ‘PF’ comes right back, the issue might be with your home’s power. Plug the washer into a different, dedicated outlet if possible to test. If it works there, the original outlet or circuit might have a loose connection or be overloaded. HEADS UP If you get frequent ‘PF’ codes without any obvious power outages in your house, consider plugging the washer into a high-quality surge protector. The control boards in these are sensitive to even minor voltage dips.

GE GTW720BSNWS Top Load Washing Machine

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