Welcome once again to another fun-filled deep dive into the world of the Whirlpool Model WTW4950HW Series Top-Load Washer Error codes. You know who they are. The ones that ruin a perfectly good wash day because your washer stopped draining. Or the display suddenly says SUDS and you have no idea what to do.
All you know for sure is you can’t use your washer! I’m going to do my best to end the frustration now. With a little help from you and your solid DIY ability, these codes really aren’t that bad. A little patience and ingenuity go a long way toward salvaging wash day.
Ready to dive in? Here we go.
Top 5 Most Frustrating Whirlpool Washer Error Codes & That Pesky F0E2 Suds Alarm
As a very long time appliance technician, I know from experience that the washer error codes they received frustrated many of my customers. One that came up in the early days because of constant problems with washability is the SUDS alarm.
It came about because many people used too much soap and, thanks to bad information, were damaging their garments and making them smell better with too much fabric softener (a story for another day😊). To solve the problem, Whirlpool devised a way to warn customers about this.
Alas, the SUDS lock alarm came to be. What was supposed to be a helpful feature turned out to be a hassle until folks realized they could beat it for good. How? By using no more soap than you need for a normal load. But just as important is the type of soap. Every washer today uses the HE process, and it requires HE soap, period.
Once the washer is free from the buildup of non-HE soap, the dreaded SUDS alarm should be gone forever!
Keep reading. There is more helpful information on this below. For now, let’s get to the Top 5 Most Frustrating Whirlpool Washer Error Codes Featuring That Pesky F0E2 Suds Alarm:
#1 F8E1- LF Long Fill
This code shows that the washer is taking too long to fill with water. Check for clean water fill hose screens and be sure the water is turned on and working OK. If all of that is fine, try adding water again and this time check for vibration at both hot and cold water lines where they connect to the back of the machine. If they’re vibrating and no water is coming out, the water inlet valve has failed and needs replacing.
#2 F0E5 – OL, UL – Overload or Unbalanced Load
There is no doubt that you’ll see this one as your machine ages and some parts wear out. The suspension rods will be near the top of the list. Other causes are a weakening tub bearing causing loud spin cycles and a wobbling basket. One way to maximize the life of your machine’s mechanical parts is to go easy on load sizes:
- Top load washers – Load half-way up the basket
- Front load washers – Load just high enough to leave about 8” of open space above the clothes without pressing them down
#3 F9E1 – LD Long Drain
Aside from the obvious assumption that the drain filter is clogged, which you can repair by cleaning out the filter (front load washers), the pump itself is the usual culprit. The pump may have worn out, rendering the impeller inside broken or worn down to a nub, although it still produces the same sounds as before.
Another cause is the machine might have an active siphon. That occurs when the drain hose is too far down into the drain standpipe or anywhere the tip of the hose gets submersed in drain water. An active siphon occurs when the hose is too far down into the drain standpipe or submerged in drain water, which draws out the water entering the machine. That also explains one reason water is left in the washer after a cycle.
Always be sure the tip of the drain hose is never over 4.5 inches down into the standpipe.
#4 F0E2 – SUDS LOCK
This alarm will alert you that the machine senses excessive suds inside the basket. This is very often the case when using non-HE soap, which is a direct cause. Newer Whirlpool washers will pause the cycle and enter a suds reduction cycle by adding fresh water, then drain and spin to reduce the amount of suds. The best way out of this condition is to use cooking spray on the suds, then try running another cycle.
If that doesn’t do the trick, let the machine sit for as long as it takes to allow the machine to continue washing. After getting the machine back to normal, I would suggest using a washing machine cleaner like Washer Magic to clean the machine thoroughly to rid the tub and basket of any excess soap that may create the same problem again. But from now on, please remember to use the recommended amount of HE soap for each wash. Pro Tip: Try using only 1 tablespoon of HE soap for a normal load. It might surprise you with the results!
#5 F5E4 – Lid not opened between cycles
On a busy laundry day, you might open the lid after a cycle, put the clothes into the dryer, and leave the lid up while you add another load and select the cycle without closing the lid. Don’t worry if that happens. Just close the lid and then select the cycle.
Tackle Wash Day Like a Boss & Never Fear Washer Error Codes Again!
Laundry day doesn’t have to come to a screeching halt when one of the washer error codes shows up. With a little patience, you’re likely to be back in business very soon. I know that sometimes you can’t prevent them, but you can keep your machine running much longer by taking it easy on the load sizes and don’t oversoap.
Always remember, Neli has your back. We’re here for you when the unfortunate stuff happens. Just set up a diagnosis appointment and we’ll be working together to get you back running again!
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