Common Whirlpool washing machine faults

• F11 — washing machine does not drain — blocked drain pump or filter
• F08 — washing machine does not heat — faulty heating element or NTC sensor
• F06 — door error — door lock or door switch faulty
• F01 — motor error — problem with motor or control board
• F21 — pressure sensor error — pressure switch or water supply
• Washing machine vibrates heavily — bearings, dampers or suspension springs worn
• Washing machine leaks — seal, pump or back wall

This is how our Whirlpool repair service works

1. Book online — choose your time slot, no queue
2. Technician at home — often the next working day
3. Diagnosis — honest advice: repair or not
4. Repair — usually resolved immediately
5. Warranty — 3 months on labour and parts

We repair all Whirlpool washing machine series

From entry-level models to the Supreme Care range with 6th Sense technology, FreshCare+ and ZEN motor, We.repair repairs all Whirlpool washing machines.

Whirlpool parts are widely available, making repairs almost always possible.

Why choose We.repair for your Whirlpool?

• At home — no hassle with transport
• Fixed price — up to €179 excluding parts
• Original or equivalent parts
• Certified technicians, trained on all Whirlpool models
• 3 months warranty on the repair

Do you have another Whirlpool appliance that needs repairing?

Whirlpool uses the same 6th Sense technology across its appliances. Our technicians recognise those notifications and repair all Whirlpool appliances at the same fixed price.

Check our Whirlpool repair service for our complete procedure.

• Repairing Whirlpool dishwasher
• Repairing Whirlpool tumble dryer
• Whirlpool repair service at home — all appliances, rates and procedure

Frequently asked questions about Whirlpool washing machine repairs

Whirlpool error codes explained

Whirlpool washing machine error codes: what do they mean?

Whirlpool displays errors on the screen as a code that starts with F or E, followed by a number.

Some models also show combinations such as FH or FP.

Below you will find all common Whirlpool error codes with the cause and what you can do yourself.

Most common Whirlpool washing machine faults

Our technicians repair Whirlpool washing machines daily. These are the faults we see most often:

• FH / FA / E1 — no water supply — tap closed, hose kinked or filter blocked
• F01 — electronic problem — circuit board or triac defective
• F3 / F4 / F21 / FP — water drainage problem — filter or pump blocked
• F05 / E2 — temperature sensor — sensor or wiring defective
• F06 / F6 — motor fault or circuit board — laundry comes out wet from the drum
• F7 — motor does not reach speed — overload or transport bolts not removed
• F08 — heating problem — heating element or NTC sensor defective
• F11 — pump fault — drain pump or communication circuit board
• F13 / F22 — door issue — door lock or door switch faulty
• F18 — too much foam — detergent overdose
• Washing machine does not start — power issue or circuit board fault

Do you not recognise your problem? The technician will diagnose on site.

Whirlpool washing machine FH, FA or E1 - water supply issue

What does it mean? The washing machine is not getting water. The wash programme cannot start or is interrupted.

Possible causes:

• The tap is not or not fully turned on
• The supply hose is kinked or blocked
• The filter in the supply hose (at the connection to the washing machine) is blocked
• Low water pressure

What can you do yourself?

1. Turn the tap fully on and check if water flows from the hose.
2. Check the supply hose for kinks or bends.
3. Turn the tap off and remove the supply hose from the back of the machine.
4. Clean the small mesh filter in the connection with a toothbrush.
5. Reconnect the hose, turn the tap on and watch for leaks.
6. Turn off the washing machine, wait 2 minutes and restart.

Does the error code remain? Then the water valve (solenoid valve) may be faulty. Book a repair with We.repair.

Whirlpool washing machine F01 - electronic issue (circuit board)

What does it mean? F01 indicates a fault in the main circuit board (PCB) or the triac — the electronic component that controls the motor speed. The washing machine can no longer perform certain functions.

Possible causes:

• Power failure or voltage spike that has damaged the circuit board
• Defective triac on the circuit board
• Loose or corroded connections

What can you do yourself?

1. Unplug the appliance.
2. Wait at least 5 minutes (allow the capacitors to fully discharge).
3. Reconnect and start a short programme (spin or drain).
4. Has the error code disappeared? Then it was a temporary fault.

Does F01 remain? Then the circuit board is likely defective. You cannot fix this yourself — book a repair above on the page at We.repair.

Whirlpool washing machine F3, F4, F21 or FP - water drainage problem

What does it mean? The washing machine is not pumping out the water or not quickly enough. Water remains in the drum.

Possible causes:

• The lint filter is clogged (coins, buttons, hair ties)
• The drain hose is kinked or pushed too far into the drain pipe (siphon effect)
• The drain pump is defective

What can you do yourself?

1. Turn off the washing machine and unplug it.
2. Open the flap at the bottom front of the machine.
3. Place a bowl or tray under the flap to catch water.
4. Pull out the small hose and remove the cap — let the residual water drain away.
5. Unscrew the pump filter (to the left) and remove it completely.
6. Remove lint, coins, buttons or other debris.
7. Check if the pump impeller can turn freely (use a spoon or stick).
8. Clean the inside and the thread of the filter cap.
9. Screw the filter back in (clockwise) and close the lid.
10. Also check that the drain hose is not kinked and does not extend more than 15 cm into the drain pipe.
11. Reconnect the machine and start a drain programme.

Does the error code remain? Then the drain pump is defective. Book a repair with We.repair.

Whirlpool washing machine F05 or E2 - temperature sensor error

What does it mean? The temperature sensor (NTC sensor) is sending a fault signal, causing the machine to be unable to measure the water temperature correctly.

Possible causes:

• Temporary electronic fault
• Defective temperature sensor
• Damaged wiring to the sensor

What can you do yourself?

1. Turn off the washing machine and unplug it.
2. Wait at least 30 minutes.
3. Reconnect and restart the machine.

Has the error code disappeared? Then it was a temporary fault. Does F05 or E2 keep coming back? Then the temperature sensor needs to be replaced. Book a repair with We.repair.

Whirlpool washing machine F06 or F6 - motor fault or circuit board problem

What does it mean? The motor is not running or not running correctly. Your laundry comes out wet from the drum because the machine is not spinning.

Possible causes:

• Laundry is stuck between the drum and the seal
• Drum is overloaded
• Defective circuit board
• Defective motor brushes (in older models)

What can you do yourself?

1. Open the door and carefully turn the drum by hand.
2. Check if any clothing items are stuck between the drum and the rubber seal.
3. Remove the stuck laundry.
4. If necessary, remove some of the laundry from the drum (maximum ¾ full).
5. Restart the programme.

Does F06 remain? Then the control board or a motor component is defective. Book a repair with We.repair.

Whirlpool washing machine F7 - motor does not reach speed

What does it mean? The motor cannot reach the required speed for the wash programme. The machine stops spinning.

Possible causes:

• Drum overloaded
• Transport bolts not yet removed (for a new machine)
• Defective motor or motor control

What can you do yourself?

1. Check if the drum is not too full (maximum ¾ full).
2. Remove some of the laundry and restart the programme.
3. For a new machine: check if all transport bolts at the back have been removed. These orange or yellow bolts are usually supplied with a key and must be removed before the first wash. If you run the machine with bolts in it, it will vibrate heavily and the drum may be damaged.

Does F7 keep coming back even with a not too full drum? Book a repair with We.repair.

Whirlpool washing machine F08 - heating problem

What does it mean? The washing machine is having trouble heating the water. The wash programme pauses or stops.

Possible causes:

• Heating element defective (often due to limescale)
• NTC temperature sensor defective
• Control board problem

What can you do yourself?

In case of limescale:

1. Carry out a descaling: use a washing machine cleaner or citric acid.
2. Run an empty programme at 90°C.
3. Repeat this regularly (once every 2 months with hard water).

Try resetting:

1. Turn off the machine and unplug it.
2. Wait 5 minutes and start again.

Does F08 keep coming back? The heating element or the sensor is likely faulty. You cannot fix this yourself — book a repair with We.repair.

Tip: Avoid the problem by running an empty wash programme at 90°C monthly. This removes grease deposits and limescale before they build up.

Whirlpool washing machine F11 - pump failure or communication error

What does it mean? F11 indicates a fault in the drain pump or a communication problem between the control board and the pump module. Water remains in the drum.

Possible causes:

• Drain pump faulty or blocked
• Communication error between control board and pump
• Loose wiring

What can you do yourself?

1. First, follow the steps for cleaning the filter (see F3/F4/F21 above).
2. Reset the machine: unplug, wait 5 minutes, plug back in.
3. Start a drain programme and listen for the pump making noise.

Is the pump silent? Then the pump or the wiring is faulty. Book a repair with We.repair.

Whirlpool washing machine F13 or F22 - door problem

What does it mean? The door of the washing machine does not close properly or the door lock is not functioning correctly. The machine does not start.

Possible causes:

• Laundry is stuck in the door lock
• Soap residue or dirt blocks the door lock
• Drum too full (door does not close completely)
• Door lock or door switch faulty

What can you do yourself?

1. Open the door and check if any clothing is caught between the door and the rubber gasket.
2. Wipe the door lock (the metal or plastic hook) clean with a damp cloth.
3. Also wipe the closure on the machine itself clean.
4. Remove some of the laundry from the drum if it is too full.
5. Close the door again with a clear click and start the programme.

If there is no click when closing, or the error code remains? Then the door lock is defective. Book a repair with We.repair.

Whirlpool washing machine F18 - too much foam

What does it mean? Too much foam has formed in the drum. The machine interrupts the programme to prevent damage.

Possible causes:

• Too much detergent used
• Wrong detergent (not suitable for washing machines)
• Too little laundry in the drum (small load with too much detergent)

What can you do yourself?

1. Remove the laundry from the drum.
2. Run a rinse programme or an empty programme without detergent to remove the foam.
3. Repeat if necessary.

Prevent it in the future:

• Use less detergent, especially with lightly soiled laundry or soft water.
• Follow the dosing instructions on the detergent packaging.
• For lightly soiled laundry, use half of the recommended dose.

My Whirlpool washing machine does not start at all

Possible causes:

• No power (circuit breaker in the fuse box activated)
• Plug not properly in the socket
• Child lock activated
• Door not properly closed
• Circuit board defect

What can you do yourself?

1. Check in the fuse box if the circuit for the washing machine has tripped.
2. Check if the plug is properly inserted into the socket.
3. Check if the child lock is activated (consult your user manual for deactivation).
4. Close the door again with a clear click.
5. Unplug it, wait 1 minute and try again.

Is the machine still not starting? Book a repair with We.repair.

How do I reset a Whirlpool washing machine?

A reset sometimes resolves a temporary electronic fault:

1. Turn the programme selection knob to the position Off or 0.
2. Completely unplug it from the socket.
3. Wait at least 5 minutes (some sources recommend 30 minutes for persistent faults).
4. Plug it back in, select a short programme (spin or drain) and see if the error code has disappeared.

Note: if the error code returns immediately after the reset, there is a physical defect that needs to be repaired.

3 tips to prevent error codes on your Whirlpool washing machine

1. Clean the lint filter monthly The filter at the bottom of the machine (behind the flap) catches coins, buttons and lint. A clogged filter causes drainage problems (F3, F4, F21). Open the flap, catch the water, unscrew the filter and clean it under the tap.

2. Run a maintenance programme at 90°C monthly Washing at low temperatures (30–40°C) is environmentally friendly but leads to the accumulation of grease, soap, and bacteria. A monthly empty programme at 90°C — with a machine cleaner product or citric acid — keeps the drum, the heating element, and the hoses clean.

3. Dose your detergent correctly Too much detergent causes too much foam (F18), clouds the sensors, and leaves deposits in the machine. Use less than you think: for lightly soiled laundry and soft water, half of the recommended dose is sufficient.

Frequently asked questions about Whirlpool washing machine faults

What does error code F21 mean on a Whirlpool washing machine? F21 indicates a problem with the water drainage. The machine is not pumping the water away or not quickly enough. Start by cleaning the lint filter at the bottom of the machine. Also, check the drain hose for kinks. Then start a drain programme. Does F21 remain? Then the drain pump or the control module is faulty and a technician is needed.

What does error code F06 mean on a Whirlpool washing machine? F06 means that the motor is not functioning correctly. Your laundry remains wet in the drum. First, check if there is laundry stuck between the drum and the rubber seal. Also, remove some of the laundry if the drum is too full. Does F06 remain? Then the circuit board or a motor component is faulty.

What does error code F08 mean on a Whirlpool washing machine? F08 is a heating error. The heating element or the temperature sensor is faulty, or there is heavy limescale buildup. First, try descaling at 90°C. If that doesn't help? Then the heating element or the sensor needs to be replaced by a technician.

What does error code FH, FA or E1 mean on a Whirlpool washing machine? These codes mean that the washing machine is not getting water. Check if the tap is open, if the hose is not kinked, and clean the filter in the connection of the supply hose. Then reset the machine.

What does error code F18 mean on a Whirlpool washing machine? Too much foam in the drum. Run an empty rinse programme to remove the foam and use less detergent from now on.

How much does a repair of a Whirlpool washing machine cost at We.repair? We.repair works with a fixed, transparent price: €69 for the call-out and diagnosis. If repair is possible, you pay an additional €110 for labour — a maximum of €179 excluding parts. If you decide not to repair after the diagnosis? Then you only pay €69. We provide a 3-month warranty on all repairs.

Is it worth having my Whirlpool washing machine repaired? Almost always. A new Whirlpool washing machine costs €400 to €800. A repair of up to €179 is much more economical — especially for appliances younger than 10 years. Our technician gives honest advice after the diagnosis.

Which Whirlpool series does We.repair repair? All series: Supreme Care, FreshCare+, 6th Sense and ZEN models. Whirlpool parts are readily available, making repair almost always possible.