Maytag Washer Error Code HC

HC on a Maytag washer means the hot and cold water inlet hoses are connected in reverse. The washer detects that it is receiving hot water through the cold inlet and cold water through the hot inlet. This code appears at the end of the wash cycle to alert you to the incorrect hose installation. Swapping the two hoses at the back of the machine will resolve the code.

A reset will clear the code temporarily, but the HC code will return the next time you run a wash cycle if the hoses remain swapped. The underlying cause is a physical installation problem, not an electronic fault, so the only permanent fix is to reconnect the hoses to the correct inlets.

In most cases, fixing the HC code costs nothing because it only requires swapping the hose connections yourself. If the inlet hoses are old, kinked, or damaged and need replacement, new washing machine inlet hoses typically cost anywhere from $10 to $30 for a pair at most hardware stores. No service call is needed for this repair in the vast majority of cases.

Turn off both water supply valves at the wall, then unscrew both inlet hoses from the back of the washer. Reconnect the hot water hose to the inlet port labeled HOT and the cold water hose to the inlet port labeled COLD. Turn the supply valves back on, check for leaks at the connections, and run a wash cycle to confirm the HC code is gone.

The washer will continue to operate with the hoses reversed, but your wash results will be affected. Cycles selected for cold water will instead use hot water, which can cause shrinkage, color fading, or damage to fabrics that require cold washing. It is best to correct the hose connections before running additional loads.