Superior Appliance Service

Error code lookup

Maytag Washer Error Codes

What each code on your Maytag washer means, the one safe thing to check first, and when it’s time to call me. I checked every code here against Maytag’s own support pages and manuals.

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43 codes

What your Maytag washer is telling you

Codes from Maytag’s online Product Help articles for front-load and top-load washers. The same code can mean different things on front-load and top-load models, so each entry’s note says which type it applies to; two-digit codes such as F20, F21, F22 and FH appear on older front-load models.

That code isn’t on this list. It may be specific to your model, so call or text me at (480) 292-4746 with the code and model number.

F0 E1

The Clean Washer cycle was started but the washer detects a load inside the drum.

Also shown as rL

Try this first: Remove all items from the washer and restart the Clean Washer cycle.

Front-load washers.

F0 E2

The washer has detected excessive suds and runs an automatic suds-reduction routine.

Try this first: Let the washer keep running. Use only HE (high-efficiency) detergent and measure it; too much or non-HE detergent causes excess suds.

Front-load washers.

F0 E4

The washer senses the incoming water temperature is too hot.

Try this first: Check that the water hoses are installed correctly and are not switched between the hot and cold connections.

Front-load washers.

F0 E5

Off-balance load: the washer reduced spin speed because the load was unbalanced, so clothes may still be dripping wet.

Try this first: Don’t pack the load tightly or wash a single bulky item by itself. Remove a few items, redistribute the load and run a Drain & Spin cycle.

Front-load washers.

F5 E1

Door switch error: the washer is not sensing that the door is closed.

Try this first: Make sure the door is completely closed and nothing (clothing, shipping material) is blocking the door switch.

Front-load washers.

F5 E2

The door is not locking properly.

Try this first: Open the door and close it firmly, make sure no laundry is sticking out past the door opening (reduce the load if needed), then reset power by turning off the circuit breaker or unplugging the unit for 5 minutes, then restoring power. If the code returns, call me.

Front-load washers.

F5 E3

The door is not locking properly.

Try this first: Make sure the door is completely closed and nothing such as clothing or shipping material is blocking the latch.

Front-load washers.

F5 E4

The washer has run three cycles in a row without the door being opened.

Try this first: Open and close the door, then restart the cycle.

Front-load washers.

F7 E1

Motor speed sensing error: the motor cannot reach the correct speed for the selected cycle.

Try this first: On a new installation, make sure all four shipping bolts and plastic spacers were removed from the back of the washer; then reset power by turning off the circuit breaker or unplugging the unit for 5 minutes, then restoring power. If the code returns, call me.

Front-load washers.

F8 E1

The washer is not detecting the correct amount of incoming water.

Also shown as Lo FL, No Water Detected

Try this first: Make sure the hot and cold water valves are fully open and both inlet hoses are connected and not kinked. If the door is locked, pressing Power starts an 8 to 10 minute drain routine before the controls respond.

Front-load washers.

F8 E2

There is a problem with the detergent dispenser system.

Try this first: Check that the detergent drawer or detergent cartridge is not clogged with detergent.

Front-load washers.

F8 E3

Overflow condition: there is too much water or foam in the washer.

Try this first: Use only HE detergent and measure it; non-HE detergent or too much detergent causes excess suds.

Front-load washers.

F9 E1

Long drain: the washer is unable to drain correctly.

Try this first: Make sure the drain hose goes no more than 4.5 in. (113 mm) into the drainpipe, and check the drain pump filter and door seal for clogs (see your owner’s manual).

Front-load washers.

F20

Water inlet problem: no water or not enough water supply.

Try this first: Make sure the hot and cold faucets are fully on, the inlet hoses are not kinked and the inlet screens are not clogged.

Older front-load models with two-digit F codes.

F21

Drain problem.

Try this first: Check that the drain hose is not kinked or clogged.

Older front-load models with two-digit F codes.

F22

Front door lock problem.

Try this first: Make sure the door is firmly shut with nothing blocking the latch, wipe detergent or softener buildup off the door lock with a soft damp cloth, and reduce the load size if it is overloaded.

Older front-load models with two-digit F codes.

FH

Water inlet problem: no water or not enough water supply.

Try this first: Make sure the hot and cold faucets are fully on, the inlet hoses are not kinked and the screens at the inlet hose connections are not clogged.

Older front-load models.

Sud

Too many suds in the washer; it automatically extends the rinse to remove them.

Also shown as Sd

Try this first: Let the cycle continue. Use HE detergent and follow the detergent maker’s dosing for load size and soil level.

Front-load washers.

dET

The detergent dispenser cartridge is not detected.

Try this first: Make sure the dispenser cartridge is inserted correctly and the drawer closes completely. If you use single-load detergent doses, you can ignore this message.

Front-load washers. Models with a detergent cartridge.

PF

The washer lost power during operation.

Try this first: On some models press Start to finish the cycle; on others press Cancel and restart the cycle.

Front-load washers.

CL

Reminder to run the Clean Washer cycle; it appears after 30 cycles.

Try this first: Run a Clean Washer cycle. The reminder also clears by itself after three more cycles.

Front-load washers.

LoC

Not a fault: the control lock is turned on, so the buttons won’t work.

Also shown as LC

Try this first: Touch and hold the Control Lock button for 3 seconds to turn it off.

Front-load washers.

F0 E2

The washer detected too many suds, so the load may not be fully rinsed or spun out.

Try this first: Run a Rinse/Spin cycle if needed. Use only HE detergent in the recommended amount.

Top-load washers.

F0 E3

The load is too heavy and the washer is running an overload recovery cycle.

Try this first: Load items loosely and evenly around the basket without packing them tightly; if the problem persists, call me.

Top-load washers.

F0 E5

The load is unbalanced or too large.

Try this first: Cancel the cycle, run a drain-only cycle if water is present, then rearrange the clothes or remove some items so the load is level before starting again.

Top-load washers.

F0 E8

Too much leftover water was detected in the washer.

Try this first: Run a Drain & Spin cycle to remove the water; if the problem persists, call me.

Top-load washers.

F3 E1

The washer can’t detect the water level; there may be a problem with the control or its wiring.

Try this first: Reset power by turning off the circuit breaker or unplugging the unit for 5 minutes, then restoring power. If the code returns, call me.

Top-load washers.

F3 E2

The hot and cold inlet hoses may be installed backwards.

Try this first: Make sure the hot and cold water valves are fully open and the hot and cold hoses are connected to the correct inlets.

Top-load washers.

F5 E2

The washer can’t engage the lid lock, possibly because something is in the lid lock area.

Try this first: Check the lid lock area and remove any objects or clothing in the way, then reset power by turning off the circuit breaker or unplugging the unit for 5 minutes, then restoring power. If the code returns, call me.

Top-load washers.

F5 E4

The lid is open.

Try this first: Open and close the lid; if the problem persists, call me.

Top-load washers.

F8 E1

Long fill: the washer is taking too long to fill.

Also shown as LF

Try this first: Make sure the drain hose goes no more than 4.5 in. (114 mm) into the standpipe (which can cause siphoning), and that the hot and cold water valves are fully open.

Top-load washers.

F8 E2

Bulk detergent dispenser problem.

Try this first: Check that there is detergent in the bulk dispenser, that it is installed correctly, and that it is not clogged (remove and clean it).

Top-load washers. Models with a bulk dispenser.

F8 E6

Meaning depends on the model: either the lid was opened during a soak cycle, or no hot water was detected (often because the hot and cold hoses are reversed).

Try this first: Close the lid to resume; if no hot water was detected, check that the hoses are not reversed.

Top-load washers.

F9 E1

Long drain: the washer is taking too long to drain.

Also shown as drn

Try this first: Make sure the drain hose goes no more than 4.5 in. (114 mm) into the standpipe, its end is higher than 36 in. from the floor, and it is not kinked or clogged.

Top-load washers.

Ld

Long drain: the washer is taking too long to drain water.

Try this first: Make sure the drain hose goes no more than 4.5 in. (114 mm) into the standpipe, its end is higher than 36 in. from the floor, and it is not kinked or clogged.

Top-load washers.

Sd

Excess suds; the washer is running a suds-reduction routine.

Also shown as 5d, Sud

Try this first: Let the washer continue. Follow the detergent maker’s dosing for your load size and soil level.

Top-load washers.

oL

The load is too large (overloaded).

Try this first: Cancel the cycle, run a drain-only cycle if water is present, then remove some items so the load is not overloaded.

Top-load washers.

OFb

Off-balance load that the washer could not correct on its own.

Try this first: Wait for the lid to unlock, redistribute the load evenly, close the lid and press Start/Pause to resume.

Top-load washers.

LdL

The lid lock will not lock (lid lock failure).

Also shown as dL

Try this first: Check for items directly under the lid and for detergent buildup around the lid lock. If the code returns, call me.

Top-load washers.

LdU

The lid cannot unlock because objects on top of the washer lid are preventing it.

Also shown as dU

Try this first: Remove anything sitting on the lid, such as a laundry basket.

Top-load washers.

HC

The hot and cold inlet hoses are connected backwards (shown at the end of the wash cycle).

Try this first: Turn off the water supply, swap the hoses, and run another cycle to confirm.

Top-load washers.

Lid

The lid was left open.

Try this first: Close the lid. If it stays open more than 10 minutes the cycle resets and drains; restart the cycle without adding more detergent.

Top-load washers.

PF

The wash cycle was interrupted by a power failure.

Try this first: Touch and hold Start to restart the cycle, or press Power to clear the display.

Top-load washers.

When to call me

If the safe check doesn’t clear the code, or the same code keeps coming back, the washer needs a real diagnosis. Error codes point to the system that failed, not always the exact part, so I test before I replace anything.

Never open panels, bypass a safety switch or work on gas or wiring yourself. Unplug the appliance or turn off its breaker if you smell burning or see water near electrical parts.

Upfront pricing

$65

Service call, waived when you approve the repair. You get an exact price before any work starts.

Stacked washer and dryer units have a $125 service call, also waived with the repair.

Where These Codes Come From

I checked every code on this page against Maytag’s own documentation on October 18, 2026, and left out any code I couldn’t confirm there. Meanings can differ between models and model years, so your owner’s manual or the tech sheet inside your washer has the final word for your exact model.

FAQ

Maytag washer code questions

What does error code F0 E1 mean on a Maytag washer?

The Clean Washer cycle was started but the washer detects a load inside the drum. Try this first: Remove all items from the washer and restart the Clean Washer cycle. If the code comes back, call or text me at (480) 292-4746.

The washer has detected excessive suds and runs an automatic suds-reduction routine. Try this first: Let the washer keep running. Use only HE (high-efficiency) detergent and measure it; too much or non-HE detergent causes excess suds. If the code comes back, call or text me at (480) 292-4746.

The washer senses the incoming water temperature is too hot. Try this first: Check that the water hoses are installed correctly and are not switched between the hot and cold connections. If the code comes back, call or text me at (480) 292-4746.

Off-balance load: the washer reduced spin speed because the load was unbalanced, so clothes may still be dripping wet. Try this first: Don’t pack the load tightly or wash a single bulky item by itself. Remove a few items, redistribute the load and run a Drain & Spin cycle. If the code comes back, call or text me at (480) 292-4746.

My service call is $65 ($125 for stacked washer and dryer units), and it’s waived when you approve the repair. I give you an exact price before any work starts.

Ready when you are

Code still showing? Book your washer repair.

Call or text (480) 292-4746, Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm. Same-day and next-day appointments are often available.