Whirlpool · Washing Machine
Whirlpool Washing Machine F33 Error Code
Drain pump lost communication with control
What this error means
F33 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.
How F33 is detected
When F33 appears on a Whirlpool washing machine, the control board has confirmed that water did not leave the machine within the programmed drain window. On Whirlpool WFW560CHW, Whirlpool WFW6620HC, and similar variants, the drain pump runs for a fixed interval—often three to seven minutes on washers and dishwashers—while a pressure switch or turbidity sensor verifies the tub or sump is empty. If water remains, the cycle stops to prevent spin with a full tub or overflow on the next fill.
Most F33 calls are resolved without parts: unplug the washer and tilt or access the bottom panel to reach the drain pump connector. Restricted drain paths mimic pump failure because the impeller spins against a blocked hose or filter. Document whether the pump hums audibly during the drain step; a humming pump with no water movement points to a clogged filter or kinked hose, while silence may indicate a failed pump motor or loose wiring at the harness.
After clearing blockages, run a short cycle and listen at the drain hose for steady water flow. If F33 returns on the next load with a clean filter and straight hose, measure resistance at the pump motor connector per the service manual for your model before ordering a replacement pump assembly.
Common causes
- Loose connector at the drain pump two-wire harness
- Clogged pump impeller stalling the motor and tripping the driver
- Failed drain pump motor winding
- Open circuit in the pump wiring between tub and CCU
Step-by-step fixes
- 1Unplug the washer and tilt or access the bottom panel to reach the drain pump connector
- 2Reseat the pump harness and clear the impeller of coins, pins, or lint clumps
- 3Spin the impeller by hand—it should rotate freely without grinding
- 4Measure pump motor resistance per your tech sheet; an open reading means replace the pump
When to call a technician
If the pump runs in manual diagnostic but F33 persists, the CCU pump driver or harness has a board-level fault.
Affected models
- Whirlpool WFW560CHW
- Whirlpool WFW6620HC
- Whirlpool WFW9150FW
Prevention & maintenance
- Clean drain filters and hose terminations monthly on high-use washing machines to prevent F33 from lint and food debris buildup.
- Record when F33 appears in the cycle and whether it clears after a 60-second power reset on your Whirlpool washing machine—that detail speeds diagnosis if you call service.
- Keep the model and serial number from the rating plate when ordering parts for F33; Whirlpool uses multiple revisions with different harness lengths and board firmware.
- Photograph wiring connector orientation before disconnecting any component while troubleshooting F33; reversed plugs on pumps and valves cause immediate repeat faults.