Whirlpool Washing Machine Error Codes
Whirlpool, Maytag, and Kenmore HE washers share similar F-series and SD codes. Cabrio and top-load models use different patterns than Duet front-loaders.
General troubleshooting
Try these checks before opening a specific error code page—they resolve many Whirlpool washing machine faults without parts.
- 1Use HE detergent and run Clean Washer with Affresh on WFW5605MW and similar front-loaders
- 2Check the drain pump filter on front-load models behind the lower access panel
- 3Inspect supply hose screens at the wall valves for sediment blocking fill
- 4Redistribute laundry evenly and avoid washing single heavy items alone
- 5Unplug for two minutes to reset the main control after a power blink
Common symptoms
Owners often search for a code after noticing one of these issues on their Whirlpool washing machine:
- F21 or F33 drain faults with water left in the tub
- Sd or Sud suds lockout mid-cycle on HE models
- F9E1 long fill when screens or valves restrict water
- F06 or F07 drive motor faults on Cabrio and Vantage platforms
- Excessive vibration before spin on overloaded mixed loads
All Whirlpool washing machine error codes
| Code | What it means | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| 5D | Display shows 5d instead of Sd—suds lockout5d appears on some Whirlpool LED panels where the letter S looks like the numeral 5—it is the same Suds Detected lockout as Sd, not a separate hardware fault. The machine extended drain trying to break foam before spin. | View fix → |
| E1 | Main control detected internal faultE1 on Whirlpool washers signals a Main Control fault—the ACU logged an internal error or lost synchronization with a subsystem. The washer may stop mid-cycle and flash E1 or F1E1 depending on display firmware. | View fix → |
| F08 | Wash water not heating properlyF08 means the washer could not raise water temperature as expected—on Duet models the tub must pass 86°F within the first 40 minutes of a heated cycle. The heater circuit or element is not delivering heat the control board can verify. | View fix → |
| F09 | Overflow water level detectedF09 reports an overflow condition on Whirlpool Duet front-load washers. The pressure switch sees tub water above the safe fill level. The drain pump may run continuously trying to lower the level while the cycle is halted. | View fix → |
| F20 | No water detected during fillF20 (also shown as FH on some displays) means the pressure sensor detected no water in the tub within about 30 seconds of the inlet valves opening. Both hot and cold supplies must be connected—single-hose setups trigger this fault on Duet washers. | View fix → |
| F21 | Long drain—water did not leave the tub within the programmed timeoutWhirlpool F21 indicates the drain system did not empty the tub within the allowed time—typically several minutes on front-load platforms. The control energizes the drain pump and monitors water level via the pressure switch; if level does not fall, F21 displays. On WFW5605MW, WFW6620HC, and WFW9150JW front loaders, the coin trap and filter hide behind the lower front dispenser drawer assembly—not behind a separate kick panel. F21 is the front-load counterpart to top-load F9 E1 on VMW/Cabrio families but uses the accessible front filter service path unique to Whirlpool Duet-style cabinets. | View fix → |
| F22 | Door lock failed after six attemptsF22 appears when the door lock motor cannot achieve a locked position after six tries. Whirlpool front-loaders will not fill or spin until the latch confirms closure. You may hear repeated lock attempts before the code displays. | View fix → |
| F23 | Heater not warming water in timeF23 is a wash-heater fault distinct from F08 on some model years. The control timed out waiting for the in-tub heater to bring water to the programmed temperature during the initial wash phase. | View fix → |
| F24 | Tub temperature sensor reading invalidF24 means the tub temperature sensor (NTC thermistor) at the rear bottom of the outer tub sent an out-of-range reading. The washer cannot safely regulate wash heat or cold-water rinses without valid temperature feedback. | View fix → |
| F25 | Motor tachometer signal missingF25 means the motor tachometer on the direct-drive stator is not reporting drum speed to the main control. Without tach feedback the washer cannot modulate spin acceleration and stops the cycle as a safety precaution. | View fix → |
| F26 | Door switch not confirming open cyclesF26 triggers when the control does not detect the door opening after three consecutive completed loads, or when the door switch reads open while the lock is engaged. The washer assumes the door switch circuit has failed. | View fix → |
| F27 | Water level above overflow thresholdF27 is an overflow error—the water level sensor reports the tub at or above the overfill threshold. Unlike F09 on some models, F27 specifically tracks sustained high level readings during or between cycles. | View fix → |
| F28 | Main and motor control not communicatingF28 means the Central Control Unit lost serial communication with the Motor Control Unit. The washer cannot command drum rotation until both boards exchange data again. A two-minute power reset is the first recovery step. | View fix → |
| F29 | Door will not unlock after six triesF29 means the door lock motor could not release the latch after six unlock attempts. Clothes remain trapped inside and the display stays locked until the fault is cleared or power is removed. | View fix → |
| F30 | Detergent dispenser cannot reach positionF30 means the automatic detergent dispenser motor could not drive the diverter to the commanded position. The washer detects the cup is not aligned for prewash, main wash, or bleach dosing. | View fix → |
| F31 | Motor control unit overheatedF31 appears when the Motor Control Unit heat sink exceeds its safe temperature and shuts down the drive motor. After four consecutive heat trips the code latches on the display until the MCU cools or is replaced. | View fix → |
| F33 | Drain pump lost communication with controlF33 means the Central Control Unit lost communication with the drain pump driver circuit. The washer cannot confirm pump operation during drain phases and halts with water still in the tub. | View fix → |
| F3E1 | Pressure switch out of range at idleF3E1 indicates the water level pressure switch reported an out-of-range reading when the tub should be empty—or the signal never matched expected fill steps. The control cannot safely open inlet valves without valid level feedback. | View fix → |
| F5 | Door switch circuit open at cycle startF5 is a door switch fault—the control did not see the door circuit close within the startup window. On some Cabrio and VMT top-loaders F5 relates to lid lock; on front-load Duet models it maps to door latch circuits similar to F22/F5E2. | View fix → |
| F5E2 | Door lock failed to engageF5E2 means the door lock motor could not achieve a locked position after multiple attempts. Whirlpool will not fill or spin until the latch confirms closure—you may hear repeated lock buzzing before F5E2 displays. | View fix → |
| F5E3 | Door failed to unlock after cycleF5E3 means the door lock motor tried to release but the latch never reported unlocked. Whirlpool front-loaders block the door when water remains or when the lock motor fails on the release stroke. | View fix → |
| F6E8 | UI lost communication with main controlF6E8 reports lost communication between the User Interface board and the Appliance Control Unit. Buttons may be dead, lights flash randomly, or the display shows F6E8 while the washer will not start. | View fix → |
| F7E1 | Heater did not reach target wash temperatureF7E1 means the washer could not raise water temperature as programmed—the tub did not pass the minimum heat threshold within the allowed window on a cycle that calls for hot wash water. | View fix → |
| F8E1 | Long fill—water did not reach target level within 13-minute timeoutWhirlpool F8 E1 displays as LO FL (low flow) on many VMW vertical modular washer platforms. The control opens inlet valves and waits up to roughly 13 minutes for the pressure switch to confirm target fill level; if water enters too slowly or not at all, F8 E1 aborts the cycle. This applies to top-load HE units like WTW8127LW and front-load WFW5605MW sharing VMW fill logic. Both hot and cold supplies must be available even on cold-only cycles because the washer may pulse hot for temperature mixing. Anti-flood hoses, closed valves, and standpipes below 39 inches are frequent field causes—not the pressure switch as a first replacement. | View fix → |
| F8E6 | Water supply fault during fill attemptF8E6 is a water supply error—the control opened inlet valves but flow did not meet minimum rate or stopped unexpectedly mid-fill. Whirlpool aborts before agitation to protect the drum and heater from dry operation. | View fix → |
| F9E1 | Drain exceeded time—water remained in tub after pump timeoutWhirlpool F9 E1 means drain time exceeded—the pump ran but the tub did not empty within the programmed window on VMW vertical modular washer platforms. This code is most common on top-load HE units such as WTW5000DW and WTW8127LW (Cabrio/VMW family). F9 E1 is the top-load analog to front-load F21: both are drain timeouts, but access paths differ—top loads often use an impeller wash plate and rear pump access rather than the front coin trap on WFW5605MW. SD (suds) and F8 E1 (long fill) frequently appear in the same service history when drain and fill paths share pressure switch issues. | View fix → |
| LF | Fill cycle took too long to completeLF is Long Fill—the washer did not reach the expected water level within the fill timeout, usually about six to eight minutes. Both hot and cold must be connected on Duet front-loaders; single-hose installs trigger LF. | View fix → |
| SD | Excess suds detected during drainSd (also shown as 5d on some displays) is Suds Detected—a suds lock fault. The washer sensed too much foam during drain and extended the pump time trying to break suds. Whirlpool pauses the cycle until suds drop or you intervene. | View fix → |
28 codes documented with causes, fixes, and affected models.