Whirlpool WTW5015LW Washer Off-Balance and Drain Repair

The WTW5015LW is a Whirlpool top load washer listed at 27″ in our library. In San Francisco, washers often stand on upstairs floors in Victorian flats or in garages with uneven concrete, and both conditions encourage balance trouble. Our Whirlpool washer repair page covers the broader picture.

Banging and off-balance stops

A top loader that jolts or stops because the load is off-balance may be telling you about the load or the floor. Heavy items such as a single towel or a bedspread bunch to one side. If the problem repeats with a small, even load, the issue could be leveling, a worn suspension part or a basket problem. Our Whirlpool washer off-balance article lists what to try. Library entries for related codes include OFb, an off-balance load that automated methods could not correct, and uL, where the load needs to be redistributed by hand.

Suds and overloads

Too much detergent can freeze a cycle. Our library describes Sud as too many suds in the washer, and oL as a load that is too large. Both are owner-fixable: use less soap and divide the load. If the machine shows these codes with a small load and little soap, a diagnosis is the next step.

Floor and placement

• A washer on a wooden floor over a living space amplifies vibration; check the feet and the surface under them.
• A machine in a closet with the door shut can run noisily because there is no room to move.
• A drain hose pushed deep in the standpipe can siphon water out early and upset the cycle.

What to check yourself

1. Open the lid, redistribute the clothes and restart.
2. Use a smaller amount of detergent.
3. Push gently on the corners of the washer to see if it rocks.
4. Write down the display code or the symptom.

Do not climb on the washer, open the cabinet or adjust parts under the tub. If you smell burning, switch off the breaker.

Next

We observe the cycle, find the cause and send a written estimate. Nothing is repaired without your approval. See the Whirlpool washers guide for more.

Frequently asked questions