Maytag HC Error Code — What It Means
The HC code on a Maytag HE washer tells you the hot and cold water inlet hoses are installed backwards. The cold supply line is connected to the hot inlet on the washer, and the hot supply is connected to the cold inlet. Maytag displays this code at the end of the wash cycle as a reminder that the hose connections are incorrect. It is a hookup error, not a component failure.
Common Causes
- Crossed hoses at the washer The hot and cold fill hoses were swapped when connecting to the back of the washer.
- Reversed hoses at the wall faucets The hoses are correct at the washer but connected to the wrong supply valves at the wall.
- Incorrect household supply setup The hot and cold supply lines at the wall are plumbed backward or one valve is not fully open.
- Damaged or missing hose washers Leaking connections during initial installation led to swapping hoses to troubleshoot, introducing the reversal.
Step-by-Step Fix
- Shut off both water supply valves at the wall before disconnecting any hoses.
- Identify the hot and cold inlets on the back of the washer. The hot inlet is typically marked with a red label or an H, and the cold with blue or a C.
- Trace each hose from the washer to the wall faucet. Confirm the hot supply (usually the left faucet) feeds the washer’s hot inlet and the cold supply (right faucet) feeds the cold inlet.
- Swap the hoses at the washer or at the wall faucets if they are reversed. Make sure the hot supply connects to the hot inlet and cold to cold.
- Check that rubber washers are seated inside each hose coupling, then tighten the fittings securely by hand plus a quarter turn with pliers.
- Turn both supply valves fully open and inspect all connections for leaks.
- Run a complete wash cycle and verify the HC code clears and the washer fills with the correct water temperature.
Parts Often Needed
| Part | Notes |
|---|---|
| Hot and cold fill hoses | Amazon | Replace if kinked, cracked, or fittings are stripped during hose swap. |
| Hose washers (rubber gaskets) | Amazon | Install new washers if connections leak after correcting the hose routing. |
When to Call a Pro
If the HC code remains after you have verified correct hose connections, checked that both wall valves are fully open, and confirmed your household hot and cold supply is plumbed correctly, contact a Maytag service technician. The code is designed to indicate a hose-reversal issue, so a persistent HC after correct hookup may point to a model-specific diagnostic need or an uncommon fill-system fault that requires professional troubleshooting.