Whirlpool WTW5000DW Owner's Manual

Troubleshooting

  Washer not performing as expected (cont.)
Sand, pet hair, lint, etc. 

on load after washing

Heavy sand, pet hair, lint, and  

detergent or bleach residues  

may require additional rinsing.

Add 2 Rinses to the selected cycle.

Load is tangling

Washer not loaded as recommended. See “Using Your Washer” section.

Select a cycle with a slower wash action and spin speed;  

however, items will be wetter than those using a higher speed 

spin. See the “Cycle Guide” to match your load with the best 

cycle.
Load items in loose heaps evenly around the washplate.  
Reduce tangling by mixing types of load items. Use the  

recommended cycle for the type of items being washed.

Not cleaning or  

removing stains

Added more water to washer.

Washer senses load size and adds correct amount of water. 

This is normal and necessary for clothes to move. It is normal 

for the wash load to be not completely covered in water. Added 

water lifts the laundry off the washplate, resulting in less effective 

cleaning.

Washer not loaded as recommended. Washer is less efficient at cleaning when tightly packed.

Load items in loose heaps evenly around the washplate. 
Add only 1 or 2 additional items after washer has started.

Adding detergent on top of load.

Add detergent, oxi products and color-safe bleach to the bottom 

of the basket before adding the items.

Not washing like colors together.

Wash like colors together and remove promptly after the cycle  

is complete to avoid dye transfer.

Not using HE detergent or using too 

much HE detergent.

The suds from regular detergent can keep washer from  

operating correctly.
Use only HE detergent. Be sure to measure correctly. 
Always measure detergent and follow manufacturer’s directions 

based on load size and soil level. 

Not using correct cycle for fabric 

type.

Use a higher soil level cycle option and warmer wash  

temperature to improve cleaning.
If using Quick Wash cycle, wash only a few items.
Use Heavy Duty cycle for tough cleaning. See the “Cycle Guide” 

to match your load with the best cycle and fabric type.

Not using dispenser. 

Use dispenser to avoid chlorine bleach.
Load dispenser before starting a cycle.
Do not add products directly onto load.

Not using dispenser or Downy Ball

®

.

Use dispenser for chlorine bleach and Downy Ball

®

 dispenser for 

fabric softener to avoid staining.
Load dispenser before starting a cycle.
Do not add products directly onto load.

Not selecting 1 Rinse with Softener 

or 2 Rinses with Softener.

Always select 1 Rinse with Softener or 2 Rinses with Softener 

when using fabric softener. Cycles that use spray rinsing will 

add additional water for proper fabric softener dispensing when 

selected.

Incorrect dispenser 

operation

Clogged dispenser.

Use only liquid chlorine bleach in the bleach dispenser.

First try the solutions suggested here or visit our website at www.whirlpool.com/product_help -

In Canada www.whirlpool.ca for assistance and to possibly avoid a service call.