This page is not meant for residents, but is guidance written for maintenance personnel working for the property who have been entrusted with a service key.

Whirlpool Guidance

 Here are some of the most common error messages that may appear on your equipment, as well as what actions can be taken. Please note the differences between what the manufacturer calls out and what represent my experience on the matter.

  • Washers

    • F27

      • Whirlpool calls this an ‘overflow conditions’ error. It may be the result of a kinked pressure hose or a failure of one of the solenoids to close the water supply going into the tub.

        • While these are not my typical experience, a drum which is completely full of water would point towards a solenoid failure. Such a machine should have its water supply valves closed as soon as possible.

      • HSTS calls this ‘too much soap’. An overabundance of detergent creates suds, which aren’t a desirable thing in HE washers.

        • These suds seem to interfere with the switch responsible for telling the water level inside the machine. A small hose runs from the hose that connects the tub and the drain pump, which is down near the very bottom of the machine, up to the very top of the cabinet in the back right corner.

        • When the soap quantities are such to fill up the entire drum, I suspect a fault occurs because of suds in this line.

        • In support of my theory, when washout cycles are run, sudsing can sometimes be seen for successive washout cycles.

        • In the case of an F27 due to too much soap, run a washout.

    • F21

      • Whirlpool calls this a ‘long pump’ error. Means the pump is running longer than expected and the water level isn’t changing the way it would be expected to.

        • This can be due to a blockage of the drain pump or cavitation due to an unusually soapy solution creating a bubbly mess in the drain pump that resists being driven by the pump impellers.

      • HSTS concurs with the manufacturer's assessment.

        • I’d start the diagnostic with a washout cycle.

          • If the pump fires and successfully clears the liquid in the drum, the machine will likely be able to return to service after the washout concludes.

          • If the pump sounds different or water does not readily drain out the back, further diagnostics are required. The decision tree after this point is typically either that the pump filter basket is loaded. Clearing the basket will allow for normal flow and return the machine to normal operation.

          • However, when clearing the basket pay attention for jewelry in the form of chains or necklaces. These will sometimes get caught in the drain pump filter basket due to the clasp, leaving the chain to dangle around and damage the impeller. If such a piece of jewelry is present, presume a replacement pump is needed.

        • To diagnose whether a blockage is present, look into the drum. If water is already visible, proceed. If not, add some water until it’s plainly visible in the drum.

        • Disconnect the drain hose from the back of the machine, and use a wet vacuum against the clear elbow that the drain hose was attached to. If it’s possible to drain the machine from the back with the vacuum, it’s probably not a blockage.

    • F25

      • This is a tachometer error, indicating that the machine had a mismatch between actual and expected speeds.

      • More extreme examples of overloading may result in the drive belt destroying itself.

      • Attempt to spin the drum by hand, compare the resistance and spin to another washer. If it spins quite freely, it’s likely disconnected from the motor.

    • F26

      • Door switch error.

      • Most likely that the door latch was broken off when someone forced the washer door open.

      • Easily replaced part.

    • F20

      • Water supply error.

      • Can occur due to mischief when the water supply valves are closed.

    • CLEARING ERRORS

      • Locate the service door, on top of the coin meter case. Open with supplied key, if maintenance has access.

      • If 06 XX (x = digits) is shown, skip next step.

      • If error code is shown (e.g. F27) press WARM to acknowledge error code, after which previous step should be seen.

      • Press and hold COLD for one (1) second to access service menu.

      • Screen will flash continuously.

        • If washout is required, press COLORS/DELICATES now.

        • Door must be closed, inside emptied before.

      • Close service door.

      • Machine is returned to service.

        • If washout running, machine will be available in 54 minutes.