6 Signs Your Washer or Dryer Needs Repair — Chicago Guide

Published: April 22, 2026 · By SAVA HVAC & Appliance Repair

Laundry appliances rarely fail all at once. They warn you first — shaking harder than usual, taking longer to dry, leaking a little water. The homeowners who catch those signals early pay for a simple repair. The ones who ignore them often end up replacing the machine. Here are 6 signs your washer or dryer is telling you it needs attention.

1. Violent Shaking or Walking During Spin

Some vibration during spin is normal. A washing machine that lurches across the floor or bangs loudly is not. This usually means worn shock absorbers, a broken suspension rod, or drum bearings that have lost their lubrication. Continuing to run the machine in this state accelerates wear on surrounding components — and can crack the drum. Try redistributing the load first. If it still shakes violently with an evenly distributed load, it's time for a tech.

2. Water Not Draining After a Wash Cycle

If clothes are sitting in standing water at the end of a cycle, the drain pump or drain hose is likely blocked or failed. Check the filter (on front-loaders it's usually behind a panel near the bottom) for lint, coins, or debris. If the filter is clear and water still isn't draining, the pump itself may need replacement — a repair that typically runs $150–$250 parts and labor.

3. Dryer Takes Two Cycles to Dry a Normal Load

A clogged exhaust vent is the first thing to check — lint buildup in the duct is extremely common and a fire hazard on top of being inefficient. Disconnect the duct and clean it out. If airflow is fine, the heating element may be failing. Electric dryer elements burn out over time and can be replaced in a single service visit. Gas dryers may have an igniter or gas valve issue. Either way, don't keep running double cycles — you're shortening the machine's life and wasting energy.

4. Visible Water Leaking Around the Machine

Leaks most often come from a cracked door gasket (front-loaders), a worn pump hose, or a loose supply line connection. A small drip left unaddressed will eventually warp your floor or cause water damage to adjacent walls. On front-loaders specifically, the door boot seal is a routine repair. On top-loaders, check the hose connections at the back before calling a tech — occasionally it's just a loose fitting.

5. Drum Not Spinning or Tumbling

If the motor runs but the drum doesn't spin, a broken drive belt is the most common cause — and one of the easiest repairs. You'll often hear the motor humming without any drum movement. On some machines, a faulty lid switch (top-loaders) prevents the machine from spinning as a safety measure. Both are relatively inexpensive fixes. If the motor itself isn't running, the motor control board may be the culprit — a more involved diagnosis.

6. Error Codes That Won't Clear

Modern washers and dryers display error codes when sensors detect a fault. An F21 on a Whirlpool washer means a draining issue; E1 on many LG units means a temperature sensor fault. If you've googled the code, done the recommended reset, and it keeps coming back — the underlying fault is real and needs diagnosis. Error codes are useful data: tell the technician the exact code and it cuts diagnostic time significantly.

When to Call a Repair Tech

If checking the lint filter and load balance doesn't solve it — or if you're dealing with a leak, a drum that won't spin, or a persistent error code — call a technician. Most washer and dryer repairs are completed in a single visit and cost far less than a new machine.