Appliance type guide
Washer Model and Serial Number Label Guide
Locate the washer label, identify the manufacturer, and then use that brand's supported serial path. Top-load and front-load washers do not share one universal date format.
- 1 Choose the matching category and brand.
- 2 Enter the full serial number exactly as printed on the label.
- 3 Review the date estimate, notes, and fallback links if the serial does not decode.
This guide separates physical label recovery from date interpretation. The serial usually carries the age code, while the model identifies the platform and can help resolve an OEM or decade question.
Select the washer brand and enter the serial exactly as shown.
Built for fast serial/model research.Useful for appliance age estimates, replacement research, and claim documentation.Results may vary by brand, model family, and available serial data.
Top-load and front-load labels are not in the same place
For a top-load washer, inspect the underside of the lid, the tub rim, the rear control area, and the upper side panels. For a front-load washer, open the door and inspect the cabinet rim around the drum opening before checking the rear panel.
Record the model and serial as separate fields. An LG model normally begins with a letter, while the supported LG appliance serial path begins with the numeric year/month group. Mixing those identifiers produces an unsupported result.
Verified washer example
The regression fixture below demonstrates a serial cycle that becomes useful only when the washer model is also available.
| Label Field | What It Usually Means | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| LG 412TATG1H105 | Opening 4 = candidate year; 12 = December | Serial-only candidates are 2004, 2014, or 2024. Model WM3470HWA narrows the tested result to December 2014. |
| LG model WM3470HWA | Front-load washer family context | The model is supporting evidence for the decade; it is not substituted into the serial decoder. |
What the serial number can tell you
After the washer brand is selected, supported paths may return a production week, month, or repeating set of candidate years. A result is not exact when the manufacturer reuses its year code.
What the model number can tell you
The model number distinguishes washer platform and OEM. It is especially important for Kenmore routing, Maytag pre/post-2006 logic, and model-assisted narrowing of an LG or Whirlpool-family year cycle.
Common washer serial number formats
Whirlpool / Maytag post-2006
~ Estimated decade. Use era or model clues if needed.
9 or 10 characters with year code + week
Many modern Whirlpool-family washers store the year code early in the serial and follow it with week digits.
GE washers
~ Estimated decade. GE cycles repeat.
Opening letters for month and year
The first two serial letters are usually the useful timing positions.
LG washers
~ Estimated decade.
Year digit + 2-digit month
The opening three characters usually hold the age signal.
Samsung washers
~ Estimated when year codes repeat.
11-char or 15-char serial
Year and month positions change by serial length.
Kenmore washers
✓ Estimated until OEM is confirmed.
OEM-dependent by model prefix
The model prefix often decides whether the washer follows Whirlpool, GE, LG, or Frigidaire logic.
Washer serial number examples
412TATG1H105 + WM3470HWA
The tested serial returns December and three candidate years. The washer model narrows that cycle to 2014.
Where to find the serial number
Top-load washers
- Under the lid or around the opening rim
- Rear console or back panel on some brands
Front-load washers
- Door opening or frame edge
- Back panel or lower service area if the front tag is missing
Documentation fallback
- Owner manual or purchase paperwork
- Registration records when the label is worn
Common problems
- Top-load and front-load labels are in different places on the same brand family.
- The serial result is decade-ambiguous because the manufacturer repeats year codes.
- Only the model number is available after a control-panel or cabinet replacement.
- A Kenmore washer needs the model prefix first before the serial can route to the right OEM.
- A laundry center or stacked unit hides the tag near the opening or rear panel.
FAQ
Where is the label on a front-load washer?
Open the door and inspect the cabinet rim around the drum opening. If it is not there, check the rear panel or the manufacturer's model-specific guide.
Where is the label on a top-load washer?
Check beneath the lid, around the tub opening, behind the control panel, and on the upper side or rear cabinet.
Why do I need both model and serial for a Kenmore washer?
The model prefix can identify the original manufacturer; the serial is then interpreted with that OEM family's rule.
How does Maytag washer era affect the result?
Pre-2006 Maytag and post-2006 Whirlpool-family paths differ. If the era is unknown, keep both supported results instead of forcing one.
Can an LG washer serial return more than one year?
Yes. The leading year digit repeats by decade. A verified model family may narrow the candidates, but the serial alone cannot.
Should I enter the washer model into the serial field?
No. Keep the identifiers separate. Use the serial field for the label serial and the model field for model-era or OEM context.
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Use the decoder above to start, or try Smart Lookup if the serial label is worn or missing.