How to fix Speed Queen washer problems

Speed Queen washing machines have been around for more than 100 years. Speed Queen washers are in the Alliance Laundry Systems family of brands. Although Speed Queen washers are known for their reliability, common problems sometimes occur.

Whether you have a top load washer or a front loader, we have DIY troubleshooting solutions for problems such as washer leaks, not filling with water, not draining properly, wash cycle stopping, not spinning and excessive suds.

Speed Queen front-load washer problems

Washer leaks

When your front-load washer leaks water, stop the washer and shut off the hot and cold water faucets. Check the hot and cold fill hoses for leaks. Replace a fill hose if it leaks water.

This simple solution may fix the leaking problem.

If water leaks from the bottom of the front washer door, a bad water inlet valve could be leaking water into the tub and overfilling the washer. Front loaders don’t use much water so water will leak out through the door opening when the washer overfills. Run the drain and spin cycle to remove water from the washer then pull the clothes out of the washer. Unplug the washer and turn on the hot water faucet behind the washer. If the washer fills with water, replace the hot water inlet valve because it’s leaking. If the hot water valve doesn’t leak water into the washer, shut the hot water faucet and try the same test for the cold water inlet valve. Replace the cold water inlet valve if it leaks water into the washer when the washer is unplugged. If neither water inlet valve leaks, then the water level pressure switch or the control could be causing the washer to overfill.

Not filling with water

A failed water inlet valve could prevent the washer from filling. A bad water level pressure switch or a control failure could also prevent the washer from filling. A wiring problem or control failure will also keep the washer from filling. Unplug the washer and check the wiring connections between the control and the water inlet valves. Reconnect any loose wires and replace any broken wires. This may fix the fill failure in your washer.

Not draining properly

When the washer won’t drain, the problem could be caused by a clogged house drain. Check that issue first. Remove the drain hose from the house drain behind the washer and see if water drains through the house drain. Unclog the house drain if it’s clogged.

Next, check the end of the drain hose for a clog. Remove any lint or debris clogging the end of the drain hose.

If these tips don’t help, then an internal drain hose clog, a bad drain pump or a control failure could be preventing the washer from draining.

Wash cycle stopping

When your washer stops in the middle of the wash cycle, the motor could be overheating or control may be bad. A faulty door switch or a wiring failure can also cause the washer to stop in the middle of the wash cycle. Unplug the washer and check the wiring connections. Reconnect any loose wire and replace any broken wires. If wiring connections are okay, then you’ll likely need to have a service technician diagnose and repair the washer.

Not spinning

Several different problems can prevent the washer from spinning. If you smell an electrical burning odor when the washer stops spinning and the motor overload protector clicks and shuts off the motor, then your washer could have a bad motor. Overloading the washer can also strain the motor and cause it to overheat. If you have a heavy load in the washer, pull some items out and see if the washer spins once the motor cools down. If it does, you know that overloading the washer caused the spin failure.

A problem with the door switch, a broken drive belt, wiring failure or a bad control can also keep the washer from spinning. Have a service technician diagnose and repair the washer if you can’t troubleshoot the problem on your own.

Speed Queen top loader problems

Top-load washer problems mirror the front-load issues described above. A top-load washer has a lid and lid switch instead of a door switch. Otherwise, the troubleshooting for common top-load washer problems are the same. Follow the tips above to fix any problems with your top-load washer.

Speed queen washer suds problem

Suds problems plague both front-load and top-load washers. The washer can’t drain water when excessive detergent causes too much suds. Cut back on the amount of detergent you use when the washer won’t drain or you see suds residue on your clothes when the wash cycle finishes.

You may encounter other washer problems not covered in this article. If you do, follow the tips in our Washer repair help section.