Written by
Maren Coleman Appliance Care EditorPublished October 29, 2026
VERIFIED
Error codeHC
ApplianceWasher
The letters HC stand for hot and cold hoses reversed. On a Whirlpool top loader the code turns up as the wash cycle ends, signalling that the hot inlet has the cold hose on it and the cold inlet has the hot hose.
Putting the hoses right
Turn the water supply off.
Swap the two hoses, so each lands on the inlet that matches it.
Run one more cycle, which shows whether the connections are now correct.
For hose connection details, the Installation Instructions are the place to look.
If HC still shows with the hoses corrected, a technician can help in San Francisco and around the Bay Area. See Whirlpool washer repair or ring (415) 687-4102, and give the model number and how the hoses are now connected.
Model compatibility: Whirlpool reuses codes across series and model years, so HC may mean something different on another appliance or generation. Confirm this against your model’s documentation and record your full model number before acting.
Plain language
What this code means
HC on a top load washer means the hot and cold inlet hoses were installed on the wrong inlets.
Important safety warning. Do not attempt repairs involving electrical components, gas, water lines, refrigerant or sealed systems. Unplug the appliance if it is safe to reach the outlet, and leave internal diagnostics to a qualified technician.
Seeing this code on your Whirlpool appliance?
Book a specialist visit for a clear estimate and approval before any repair.
You submit a request with your appliance model and symptom, we confirm an appointment window, and a technician performs an on-site diagnosis. You then receive a clear estimate and decide whether to proceed before any repair begins.
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Replacement parts are selected for the exact model and confirmed with you before ordering or installation.
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Book a repair online or call us — clear estimates and approval before any repair work begins.
