Can you wash a king size comforter in a Speed Queen AFNE9BSP116TN13?
Yes. In a Speed Queen AFNE9BSP116TN13 front-load washer, you can wash many king size comforters as long as the comforter fits loosely in the drum and can tumble freely; use the Bulky cycle, which is designed for blankets and comforters.
Best cycle and settings for a comforter
The Bulky cycle is the right starting point because it uses a wash tumble with two rinses and finishes with a medium-Speed final spin to help keep the load balanced and reduce wear.
- Select Bulky for comforters, blankets, and other bulky items
- Use HE detergent and measure carefully to avoid oversudsing
- Choose warm or cold water unless the care label requires hot
- Add an extra rinse if the comforter holds detergent (common with thick fills)
- If the washer struggles to balance, stop and redistribute the comforter
For cycle details and option names specific to your control panel, follow the cycle chart in the owner's manual.
How to tell if it is too big (quick fit check)
A comforter is too large for the washer if it cannot tumble. Use this simple check before starting:
| What you see in the drum | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Comforter drops and rolls during tumble | Proper load size | Run Bulky cycle normally |
| Comforter is packed tight and barely moves | Overloaded | Remove it and use a larger machine |
| Washer repeatedly thumps or pauses to rebalance | Load is too heavy or uneven | Redistribute, then restart |
Why it matters
Front-load washers clean by tumbling. If a king size comforter is packed too tightly, water and detergent cannot circulate well, cleaning suffers, and the washer is more likely to go out of balance during the final spin.
If you get oversudsing or long cycle time
If you see an oversudsing condition (often shown as extended time remaining), reduce detergent and rerun with a rinse and spin.
- Use less detergent than you think you need
- Avoid non-HE soap
- Skip fabric softener if it causes excess suds
- Run an extra rinse after washing bulky loads
For more Speed Queen-specific troubleshooting steps, use how to fix Speed queen washer problems.
Last updated: February 2026
What's the average lifespan of a Speed Queen washer?
A Speed Queen washer typically lasts about 20 to 25 years in normal household use when it’s installed correctly, kept level, and maintained (especially drain and fill flow). For model AFNE9BSP116TN13, following the care and maintenance guidance in the owner's manual helps you reach that expected service life.
Typical lifespan and what it assumes
Most Speed Queen washers reach the 20 to 25 year range when these conditions are true:
- You run typical household laundry volumes (not continuous commercial use)
- The washer is level and stable to reduce vibration and bearing wear
- Water supply screens and drain path stay clear (good fill and drain flow)
- You avoid chronic overloading and oversudsing
- Small issues (leaks, unusual noises, door latch problems) are fixed early
What shortens washer life fastest
These are the most common “life reducers” we see with front-load washers:
- Overloading: increases stress on the tub, bearings, and suspension
- Oversudsing: can trigger long rinse routines and leave residue behind
- Drain restrictions: slow draining strains the drain system and can cause error conditions
- Out-of-balance spinning: repeated violent vibration accelerates wear
- Ignoring early symptoms: small leaks or noises often become major repairs
Quick reference: lifespan by use pattern
| Use pattern | What it looks like | Typical outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Light | 2 to 4 loads per week | Often reaches the high end of the range |
| Average | 5 to 8 loads per week | Commonly lands in the 20 to 25 year range |
| Heavy | 9+ loads per week | More wear; plan for earlier component replacement |
Why it matters
Knowing the expected lifespan helps you decide when maintenance is worth doing versus when a major repair (like a tub or control issue) changes the value equation. If your AFNE9BSP116TN13 starts showing fill, drain, or balance symptoms, addressing them early protects high-wear components.
If you’re planning maintenance or repairs, we list model-matched replacement parts on this page, and you can also search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026
What are the common problems with Speed Queen washers?
Common problems we see on Speed Queen washer model AFNE9BSP116TN13 include door lock errors, out-of-balance or weak spin, slow draining, and oversudsing. Many of these issues are caused by load size, detergent choice, or a door that is not fully closed; the AFNE9BSP116TN13 owner's manual lists the related error codes and reset steps.
Most common symptoms and what they usually mean
- Won’t start, shows a door lock error (Er, dl): the door is not locking.
- Wet clothes at end of cycle, limited spin (Er, ub): the washer reduced spin Speed to protect the unit.
- Slow drain or water left in tub: can trigger weak spin and imbalance behavior.
- Oversudsing (Sr): too much detergent or non-HE detergent; the washer may run a routine to reduce suds.
- Power interruption (PF): a power failure occurred during Delay Start.
Quick checks we recommend first
- Confirm the door closes firmly; remove any laundry caught in the gasket area.
- Redistribute the load (mix large and small items); then run a Spin cycle.
- Use HE detergent and reduce the amount if you see excess suds.
- Check draining basics: make sure the drain hose is not kinked and the standpipe is not restricted.
- Clear the code as directed in the manual (often by opening the door or using Power/Cancel).
Parts that commonly relate to these problems
If the basic checks do not resolve the issue, these model-matched parts are often involved:
| Symptom | Likely area | Example part for AFNE9BSP116TN13 |
|---|---|---|
| Door won’t lock (Er, dl) | Door latch/lock system | Door latch assembly 803920 |
| Weak spin, odd behavior after fill | Water level sensing | Pressure sensor 203843 |
| Persistent imbalance/vibration | Balance detection hardware | Out-of-balance switch assembly 807384 |
Why it matters
Continuing to run with repeated Er, ub (imbalance), slow draining, or oversudsing can leave clothes wet, extend cycle times, and increase wear on the tub, suspension, and drive components. Correcting load habits and drainage early prevents repeat failures.
For model-specific error code meanings and the exact “clear/reset” steps, use the AFNE9BSP116TN13 owner's manual.
Last updated: February 2026
Why is my Speed Queen washer shaking violently on the spin cycle?
Violent shaking on spin in your Speed Queen washer model AFNE9BSP116TN13 is almost always caused by a severely unbalanced load or the washer not being level. The washer uses a ramp-up spin and will thump or limit spin Speed to help prevent damage when balance is off.
Quick fixes to try first
- Pause the cycle, wait for the door to unlock, then redistribute items evenly in the drum.
- Run a Spin cycle after redistributing if the load ended too wet.
- Wash bulky items (blankets, towels) with a few smaller items to help balance.
- Reduce oversudsing; use HE detergent and the correct amount.
- Check that the washer is solid on the floor; no rocking.
Leveling and installation checks
An unlevel front-load washer can rumble, walk, or shake hard during high spin. Use the steps in the installation guide to confirm the leveling legs are set correctly and the cabinet sits firmly.
What to look for
- Washer rocks when you push on opposite corners
- One leveling leg is not contacting the floor
- Soft or uneven flooring under the washer
When it points to a part problem
If the shaking happens with multiple load types and the washer is level, a balance-related component can be involved.
Common related parts for this model include:
- Out-of-balance switch assembly 807384 (detects excessive movement and helps protect the washer)
- Out-of-balance switch bracket 807280 (mounting support for the switch on certain serial ranges)
Symptoms and likely causes
| What you notice | Most likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Thumping starts as spin ramps up | Load distribution issue | Redistribute, then run Spin |
| Load ends dripping wet | Washer limited spin Speed due to severe imbalance | Redistribute and run Spin |
| Rumbling plus vibration | Washer not level | Level the legs per install steps |
| Shaking with lots of suds | Excess suds can affect spin and balance | Use HE detergent, reduce dose |
Why it matters
A severely unbalanced spin can keep the washer from reaching full final spin Speed, leave clothes too wet, and increase wear on the tub support and mounting hardware over time.
You can order replacement parts for AFNE9BSP116TN13 from the parts list for this model, or search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026





