Should You Repair or Replace Your Broken Washing Machine?

If you spent $650 on your washer seven years ago and you’re doing seven loads per week (a lot of wear and tear), a new washer purchase makes sense. But if the machine is 3 years old and you spent $1,000 for it, a repair may be the better financial choice.

Washing machine problems vary by washer type. CR members cited odor problems with front-loaders and compacts, tangled clothes with top-loaders (HE and agitators), and clothes not cleaning thoroughly with top-load HEs. Breakdowns that require repair are a different matter.

Fortunately, broken washers are few and far between. According to our 2025 member survey, only 13 percent of washers broke down during the second through fifth years of ownership, a relatively low rate. Generally, common washing machine issues include:

• Control panel malfunction.
• Water that isn’t draining.
• Excessive washer vibration.
• Water leaks.
• Drum that doesn’t spin properly.
• Clogged drain pump.
• Odor, mold, or mildew.

Most washer warranties last a year, though Speed Queen offers up to 7 years on some models. This isn’t a major factor for most shoppers, but whether or not your washer is covered will take on new importance the minute it stops working.

Here’s what you can do to determine whether your problem is covered under your washing machine’s warranty or if it’s worth turning to the manufacturer for a repair.

• Read the fine print. Find out what your manufacturer’s warranty covers, including any stipulations that could deny you coverage.
• Check to see if there’s a recall. Look at the brand’s website and online forums to find out if the problem is part of a recall or a recurring one that suggests the company may replace a part or the washer itself. With today’s smart washers, some brands can even offer fixes via a downloadable patch.
• See if there’s a simple solution. Review the owner’s manual and online resources to determine whether the problem can be addressed with a simple fix, like replacing a knob, cleaning a filter, or rebalancing the wash load inside the machine.

YouTube is a popular resource for diagnosing appliance problems or for seeing if others are experiencing similar issues. You can also scour washer and repair reviews on Google and Yelp. But wading through a riptide of comments, hacks, and ragtag advice takes time and sound judgment, so be wary. Unless you have some experience in appliance repair, you’re probably better off with an expert fix from a more reliable professional.

Product manuals and brand web pages can also help you troubleshoot. Some appliances even have built-in self-diagnostic systems. If that fails, try calling the brand’s customer service hotline or using its web chat portal. But be aware that some brands simply issue automated responses online, and others will only send a technician. You know what that means: a costly house call.

If you turn to a pro, expect to pay some money up front before you receive your repair quote. Unless you’re handy or have an appliance tech friend, there’s no way around this. Once you’ve doled out that service fee, it might be hard to say no to the quote unless it’s outrageously priced compared with the value of the washer itself.

“The service charge is going to be at least $100 to $150,” says Dean Landers, president of Landers Appliance, a certified washing machine service center in Baltimore. “Some may say no to a service charge, but they’ll cover their costs by increasing the labor. Others separate the two for transparency.”

CR’s 2024 survey revealed that the median cost for an out-of-pocket washer repair differs based on the machine type and whether it’s a low-end model, midrange model, or a high-end model (over $1,000). That’s not counting the service quote fee. Below are median repair price ranges for the various washer types.

CR doesn’t recommend fixing a washing machine unless you’re quite handy and the issue is minor. Today’s machines are complex. If you’re replacing a button or clearing a filter, that’s one thing. Repairing a motor to the manufacturer’s specifications is another. You may also find that you don’t have access to the specialized parts and tools typically reserved for authorized distributors.

“It really depends on the person’s skill level,” says Larry Ciufo, CR’s laundry expert. “If you need to replace the drum bearing for a front-load washer, it’s complicated. You basically need to take the whole thing apart to get to it.”

If you decide in the end that a repair isn’t worth it, you can opt to replace your washing machine.

Here are some top-rated models from our ratings, from brands that offer top-notch reliability and water and energy efficiency.