Whirlpool WTW4855 Washer — Problems & Repair

The WTW4855 is a 3.8 cu. ft. Whirlpool top-loader with a dual-action agitator and Deep Water Wash on a dependable budget platform. Its faults are simple and cheap to fix. Here is the ranked data and a plain repair-or-replace read.

Models this covers#

• WTW4855HW
• WTW4855HW2
• WTW4855HW3

Spec at a glance#

Ranked failures#

1. Lid switch fails — 24%. The washer fills but will not agitate or spin, because the control needs a confirmed-closed lid. Listen for the click when you shut the lid.
2. Agitator dogs stripped — 20%. The agitator turns one way but not the other, so clothes do not move; the plastic dogs have worn out.
3. Drain-pump motor seizes — 14%. The tub will not empty when the pump motor locks up.
4. Timer contact burns out — 10%. A cycle stalls at a certain point as the timer contact fails.
5. Water-level (pressure) switch fails — 8%. The washer over- or under-fills.

Fault signals and the reset#

The WTW4855 uses indicator lights or beep patterns to signal faults rather than alphanumeric codes. If a light flashes or the unit beeps continuously, try a power reset first: unplug the unit (or flip the circuit breaker) for 60 seconds, then restore power. Many transient errors clear with a simple reset; if the behavior returns, the underlying issue requires professional diagnosis. Before calling for service, verify the lid is fully closing (listen for the click), check that the water hoses are not kinked, and confirm the unit is level. For a washer that will not drain, check for coins or small items in the drain-pump filter. Try a manual reset — unplug the washer for 60 seconds, then plug it back in and lift and lower the lid six times within 12 seconds to reset the motor.

Fix or replace?#

This is an inexpensive washer, so the repair test is blunt: a lid switch, a set of agitator dogs, or a drain pump costs a fraction of a new machine, and while the unit is under a decade old and the fix stays under half a new one's price, repair every time. Only a stack of major failures on a very old unit tips it toward replacement.

Getting the most out of your WTW4855#

This Whirlpool is simple and durable, and simple habits keep it that way. Close the lid firmly so the switch engages cleanly, and check pockets before every load so coins and small items do not seize the drain pump. Keep the machine level on all four feet so the tub is not overworked, and do not overload a 3.8 cu. ft. drum, which strains the agitator dogs. If agitation weakens, the dogs are the usual, inexpensive fix, and replacing them takes only a few minutes once the agitator cap is off. Use the Presoak and Deep Water Wash options for heavily soiled loads rather than overloading the drum, which is what wears the agitator dogs prematurely. With that light care, the WTW4855 stays a reliable everyday washer, and its common faults remain cheap parts rather than reasons to replace it.

Related guides#

• Whirlpool washer not spinning
• Whirlpool washer not draining
• Whirlpool washer will not start

Recall status#

No active recalls on the WTW4855 series as of 2026-05-28. Verify at cpsc.gov.

Book a Whirlpool WTW4855 repair at /book — upfront pricing and common Whirlpool parts stocked.