How To Replace The Power Cord In A Washing Machine?

To replace the power cable or the power cord you will have to separate the back panel of your washing machine. Then disconnect the wire harness or unclip the cores from the power inlet source of your washing machine. Next, remove and discard the old power cord and clip the cores of the replacement power cord to the same points. Power cords with a harness can be inserted into the inlet points.

Lastly, re-assemble the back panel by reversing the steps and plug the power cable into the power source to check if it’s working fine.

What is a power cord in a washing machine?

A power cord is an electric cable that supplies electrical power to the washing machine.

A standard power cord for a washing machine includes 3 Cores (3 layers of electrical wires) inside the covering.

The power cords have a plug on one end that connects to the main household power supply, whereas the other end is usually left live or free to hook up to the machine’s power inlet source accordingly.

In some machines, there may be a male-to-female power cord or vice versa for hooking the machine up.

You may also find power cords with a plug on one end, while the other end comes pre-clipped.

These flexible, three-core lead cables are stacked or braided for heat resistance.

How does the power cord get damaged in a washing machine?

Even though the power cords are designed to be durable, they may wear out or get damaged for several reasons.

Let us look into the most common causes of a worn-out or damaged power cord of a washing machine.

Rats/Mice bites

Rats and mice love to bite electrical wires, and we need scientific reasoning to understand why they do so (not required right now).

One probable reason is that their teeth grow constantly, and by chewing wires they not only manage the pain but also keep the teeth in good shape.

Whatever the reason is, the point is that rats do bite wires. Therefore, you should secure the electrical wires to prevent such incidents.

Also Read: How to protect washing machines from rats? (Easy Steps)

Pets

Pets can be another source of damage to your washing machine’s power cord. Dogs in particular enjoy chewing on strings or wires when they are playing.

Hence, you should always secure the power cords away from your pet’s reach.

Caution: Bitten wires are just as dangerous as live wires and can severely injure both humans and animals. You should immediately disconnect the power supply of the machine and get it replaced.

Caught under washer or other neighboring objects

Sometimes, when you move your washer for cleaning or to make room for anything else, there’s a risk the power cables will get tangled in the way and get overrun.

Or, the power cables can get caught under any other heavy object around the machine and may cause damage when you try to move your washer without noticing it.

Power Surge or Overheating

Overheating of electrical wires is commonly caused by power surges.

An extensive power surge can generate immense heat within the electrical supplies, and the first element to get damaged is the electrical wires.

If you notice a burning (melting) smell around the machine, then this might be a result of the melting layers of the electrical wires due to overheating.

In such situations, you should disconnect the main power supply from the machine.

Also Read: How to calculate power Consumption of washing machine?

Short Circuits

Improper installation of electrical supplies can cause electrical shorts and lead to damage to the power supply wires, including the power cord.

Non-suitable power cord

If you have recently replaced the power cord of your washing machine and it got damaged, then it might not be a suitable replacement.

Simply get an appropriate power cord that can support the required wattage.

In order to supply enough voltage, both the plug and the layers of electrical wires are important.

What should you do if your washer’s power cord wears out?

You will have to be very cautious while you deal with the worn-out electrical power cord of your washing machine.

One of the most important steps is to disconnect the power supply of your washing machine.

For damage caused due to electrical shorts or power surges, or depending on the situation, disconnect the main power supply of your household.

Now you can accordingly unplug the washer’s power cord and get things inspected before you start troubleshooting.

How to check if the washer’s power cord is damaged?

If you don’t see any sign of a damaged power cord on your washing machine, then you can test it before the replacement.

Always refer to the user manual of your washing machine model type to locate the main power inlet source of your washing machine.

The typical location of the power inlet is behind the machine. Accordingly, remove the back panel to access the source or a PCB where the wires are clipped.

Next, use a multimeter and test the clipped cores one by one along with their plug.

In some cases, you may find that the wires are OK but the plug head is damaged. In such scenarios, you can just replace it.

Note: Always wear safety gloves and use an electrical tester to inspect if the power cord is lacking to supply power to the unit. You will have to turn on the power while you follow this step.

How to replace the power cord in a washing machine?

The very first step is to locate the power inlet points on your washing machine. It is usually accessible from behind the washing machine. You can refer to the user manual of your washing machine to find the exact location.

Step 1: Disconnect the supplies

Before troubleshooting, unplug the washing machine from the power outlet and disconnect the other supplies, such as the water inlet and drain.

You will need to move the washing machine to access the back panel, so shift the washer gently away from the back wall.

Step 2: Detach the back panel

Use a screwdriver to unthread the screws from the back panel.

Step 3: Lift the back panel

Gently slide the back panel and lift it in the upper direction away from the unit.

Step 4: Remove the wire harness to separate the panel

Unclip the wires or simply remove the harness from the opposite end of the power cord. 

Now, the back panel is separated from the unit, and the next step is to detach the grounding wire from the rear panel.

Step 5: Discard the old power cord

Pull the existing power cord through the slot (hole) on the back panel and you can discard it.

If you are unsure of the damage caused to the power cord, then you can inspect it before the replacement.

Step 6: Align the replacement power cord

Ensure that the strain relief from the old cord is switched over to the replacement power cord before installation.

Now insert the cord through the opening (hole) on the rear panel and connect the harness to the power supply cable. Next, fix the grounding wire to its original place.

Step 7: Reassemble the back panel

Reassemble the back panel and align the connected harness as you lift it over. Then, secure the back panels with the retaining screws.

Step 8: Plugin the washer for inspection

Move the washer back to its place and connect the water supplies.

Now, plug in the replacement power cable to its dedicated power source and check if the washer functions.

Final Thoughts

Any wear and tear caused to the power cord of your washing machine can lead to electrical shocks. Therefore, it should be replaced at the earliest.

Always make sure to disconnect the power supplies as the first step to avoid electrical faults.

Do not troubleshoot the electrical components of a washing machine if you are unsure about the cause. Instead, you should contact a professional.

And most importantly, you should always check if your washing machine is still under warranty. If your washer is still under warranty, avoid any self-troubleshooting as you may end up voiding the warranty.

Always check with the manufacturer if this fault is covered under warranty or not.

Lastly, in the event of any worn-out part, always purchase a suitable replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions