FixPlainly

What’s your appliance trying to tell you?

Type the code on its display, or tell us what it’s doing. We’ll walk you through the fix one safe step at a time, and say plainly when it’s a job for a technician.

Start the Fix Finder Browse error codes
  • Codes checked against the maker’s own guides
  • A safety rating on every step
  • Free, no sign-up

Start with what you see

Each guide puts the quick, safe checks first, and tells you clearly when to stop.

All problems

Washers

Washer won’t drainWater is left in the drum when the cycle ends.
Washer won’t spinClothes come out dripping, or the drum never speeds up.
Washer won’t startNothing happens when you press Start, or it won’t fill.
Washer leaking waterWater on the floor under or around the washer.
Washer smells mustyA musty, sour or mildew smell from the drum or clothes.
Washer shaking, walking or bangingLoud banging, heavy vibration or the washer moving across the floor.

Dishwashers

Dishwasher won’t drainDirty water standing in the bottom of the tub.
Dishes not getting cleanFood left on dishes, grit, or a cloudy white film.
Dishwasher leakingWater on the floor in front of or under the dishwasher.
Dishwasher won’t startLights come on but nothing runs, or there are no lights at all.
Dishes not dryingDishes, especially plastics, are wet at the end of the cycle.
Dishwasher smells badA sour, rotten or musty smell when you open the door.

Every step tells you how risky it is

You decide how far to go. We never suggest opening up a machine or touching wiring; that’s where a technician comes in.

Safe to try

Checks anyone can do

Settings, loading, detergent, hoses you can see. No tools, nothing electrical, nothing to take apart.

Take care

Fine with some care

Unplugging, turning off water, cleaning a filter that releases water, moving the appliance. We tell you exactly what to prepare.

Call a pro

Time for a technician

Anything inside the cabinet, any wiring, motors, pumps and control boards. We’ll help you describe the problem so the visit goes faster.

Error codes we’ve checked

129 code meanings (295 display variations), each checked against the brand’s own support pages. We publish a brand only when we can verify it.

Open the code library
BrandWashersDishwashers
Samsung28 codes checked against Samsung US Support17 codes checked against Samsung US Support
LG28 codes checked against LG USA Support14 codes checked against LG USA Support
Whirlpool17 codes checked against Whirlpool Product Help11 codes checked against Whirlpool Product Help
GEBeing verified. Why?14 codes checked against GE Appliances Support

Fix it, or buy new?

Put in the appliance’s age, the repair quote and the price of a new one. The calculator runs two published tests and shows its working.

It uses Consumer Reports’ 50 percent rule and typical lifespans from the National Association of Home Builders.

Open the calculator
Example: 6-year-old washer, $250 repair, $800 new
Repair it
Repair as share of new
31%
Years of life left
about 4
Repair cost per year
$63
New cost per year
$80

How we check a code before we publish it

Error codes are easy to copy and easy to get wrong. This is what each one goes through first.

Our full process

  1. Find the maker’s source

    We start from the brand’s own support pages or owner’s manual, never from another code site.

  2. Rewrite in plain English

    We explain what the code means and keep the maker’s steps, in the order that makes sense.

  3. Rate every step

    Each step gets a safety level, and anything beyond a quick check comes with a clear stopping point.

  4. Cite and date it

    Every page links to its sources and shows the date we last checked them.