Maytag washer HC: hot and cold reversed
HC means the washer detected that the hot and cold fill hoses appear to be connected backwards.
What HC means
- Brand
- Maytag
- Appliance
- Top-load washer
- Code
- HC
- Documented meaning
- Hot and cold reversed
- Applies to
- 41 Maytag models on 4 platforms
- Can you keep using it?
- Generally yes
What the washer is detecting
A temperature sensor in the water inlet reports how warm the incoming water is. When the temperature does not fit the valve the control opened, HC flashes.
Causes listed for this condition
In the order the service documentation checks them. Documented causes come from the manufacturer's service documentation for these platforms; possible causes are based on how the system works; unconfirmed marks common assumptions that the documentation does not support.
- Documented Fill hoses swapped between the hot and cold inlets.
- Documented A temperature sensor stuck reading warm, checked with the temperature test.
Safe checks you can make
- Trace each fill hose: hot faucet to the hot inlet on the washer, cold to cold. Swap them if reversed, with the faucets off.
Further diagnosis requires opening the appliance. Beyond the owner checks, diagnosis involves removing panels, testing components and checking wiring. We describe what a technician investigates, not how to do it yourself.
What a technician checks
- Runs the automatic temperature control sensor test.
Typical repairs and cost
Depending on what diagnosis finds, this code can lead to one of these repairs:
| Repair | Typical range | Labor |
|---|---|---|
| Washer water inlet valve replacement | $180–$360 | Light |
| Washer water temperature sensor replacement | $180–$310 | Light |
Typical total ranges for the Las Vegas area, parts and labor included. The final cost depends on diagnosis, the exact model, parts availability and whether other damage is found.
Can you keep using it?
Generally safe to keep using. Usable, but temperatures will be wrong until the hoses are corrected.
Maytag models documented with this code
- MTW6300TQ
- MTW6400TQ
- MTW6500TQ
- MTW6600TB
- MTW6600TQ
- MTW6700TB
- MTW6700TQ
- MVWB350YQ
- MVWB400VQ
- MVWB455YQ
- MVWB550YQ
- MVWB700BW
- MVWB700VQ
- MVWB725BG
- MVWB725BW
- MVWB750YW
And 25 more. Use the model lookup to check yours.
Related problems and codes
Other codes documented on the same Maytag platforms:
Repair or replace?
A fault code alone rarely justifies replacing a washer. Most HC repairs involve a single component once diagnosed. Replacement becomes worth considering when the unit is near the end of its typical 10–13-year life and the diagnosed repair is a major one. See the repair-or-replace guide.
Need HC diagnosed in the Las Vegas area?
We repair Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir, Amana and other Whirlpool-family appliances in Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin and Boulder City. A model number helps but is never required to book.