Whirlpool Duet Front-Load Washing Machine Repair Guide
So your Duet washer has a gremlin?! Well that happens, a little too frequently if you ask me…
The good news is Whirlpool Duet washing machines have a diagnostic mode to help troubleshoot what’s the problem with your washer.
Here’s the tricky part. There have been several washing machines that Whirlpool has chosen to name Duet. The Whirlpool think tank must be music lovers or something. This Duet washer repair guide is for the latest direct drive version.
WFW70HE, WFW80HE, WFW81HE, WFW94HE, WFW95HE, WFW96HE, WFW97HE (Non-Steam)
WFW8640, WFW86HE, WFW8740, WFW87HE, WFW88HE (Steam)
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Duet Diagnostic Test Mode
Duet Quick Diagnostic Test | Duet Washer Error Codes
Duet Washer Part Testing | Duet Wire Diagram
Duet Washer Diagnostic Test Mode
- Your Duet washer needs to be in standby (Plugged in with all control lights off)
- Pick any three buttons on the Duet washer control except power, start, or cancel.
- Now do the key dance within eight seconds. Button 1, Button 2, Button 3, Button 1, Button 2, Button 3, Button 1, Button 2, Button 3 (You are pressing nine buttons in 8 seconds, so it needs to be pretty quick.)
- If you got into the Duet washer’s diagnostics, all the control lights will turn on and “888” will be displayed showing you all the time display lights are working. After a few seconds, all the washer’s display lights will flash. If there are any saved error or fault codes, the time display should now show the most recent error code.
- Remember what the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd buttons were because you will be using them again to troubleshoot problems with your Duet washer. If you were not able to get your washer into the diagnostic mode, turn the washer off with the power button and try again with 3 different buttons. (One of the 3 buttons you were using may not be working.)
Note: If no buttons are pressed on the washer for 5 minutes the washer will exit the diagnostics mode.
Duet Washer User Interface Test (UI)
- Press the 1st button you used to enter the Duet Diagnostics Mode.
- Now that you are in the Duet washer interface test you can press each button one time. when a button is pressed the button’s indicator light should turn on and you should get a beep. you can also rotate the washers cycle selection knob and it should have the same effect. Pressing the washer’s power button 2 times will exit the diagnostics mode.
- Exit the Duet user interface by pressing the 1st button you used to enter the Duet Diagnostics Mode.
Duet Washer Quick Diagnostic Test
Note: If your Duet washer has an F9E1 or SUDS error code (long drain) you may want to skip passed all the fill steps to step C07 (to test the drain pump.) This will hopefully keep your beloved Duet washer from filling with more water that it can’t drain. You can’t skip C00 (Door Lock) and C03 (Dispensing System)
- Press the 2nd button you used to enter the Duet Diagnostics Mode.
- All the washer’s lights should turn off and the start button should begin to flash… It’s flashing so press it…
- You can skip trough the Duet washers quick test functions by pressing the Start button. (All except C00 (Door Lock) and C03 (Dispensing System))
Duet Washer Quick Test Diagnostic Guide
- C00 Duet Washer’s door locks, unlocks, and locks again, drain pump runs for 15 seconds.
- C01 (Some models) Duet Washer Heater turns on, and the steam valve is tested.
- C02 Duet Washer’s cold water valve will open.
- C03 Duet Washer’s dispensing motor moves to pre-wash position.
- C04 Duet Washer’s hot water valve opens.
- C05 Duet Washer’s drum rotates clockwise at wash speed.
- C06 Duet Washer’s drum continues to rotate clockwise, and the heater is turned back on. IF more water needed to reach the minimum water level for wash the valve will open.
- C07 Duet Washer’s drain pump should be sent power from the control to run until the washer is drained plus 15 seconds.
- C08 Duet Washer’s drum rotates counterclockwise to max spin speed. (Keep needed body parts away from moving washer parts!)
Having Problems Starting Duet Diagnostics
If you where unable to get your Duet washer to start the diagnostics mode, here are a few things to try…
- If the power button on your washer doesn’t work look at the “Duet Washer Won’t Turn On” on the 1st page of the Duet washer repair guide.
- Power up the washer with the power button (that works) and test the 3 buttons you are trying to use to start diagnostics. Do they seem to function? If not find 3 buttons that do seem to work in normal washer operation and try using those to start diagnostics. If no buttons seem to work but the power button, check connection to the used interface connector at UI7 on the Duet main control board.
- Error codes will display during a wash cycle… do you remember any faults that may shed some light on the situation?
- If it just ain’t working… you probably need a new primary control…
Duet Washer Error / Fault Codes
Once you are in the Duet Washer’s Diagnostic Mode momentarily press the 3rd button you used to enter diagnostics, and the washer will display the last 4 fault codes one button press at a time. There are a few helpful things to note here. If the Duet successfully runs 10 cycles in a row with no fault the error will be cleared from the washer’s memory, so any errors you see are likely new and active.
After you have recorded any stored errors, you can clear the code by pressing and holding the 3rd diagnostics button for 5 seconds. If there are no stored errors, 888 will be displayed with three beeps.
Duet Washer error and fault codes are shown by alternating F#__ and E#__ The F error describes the washer system and the E error further defines the washer part that may be having a problem. F1, F2, F6 Are primary control and program faults. F3 faults are washer sensor related problems. F5 errors are door lock and door switch related duet codes. F7 Faults are motor and motor control related problems. F8 Faults are water related… valve, dispensing system, water level, steam valve, and flow meter problems. Lastly F9 errors are related to the washer’s ability to drain.
NOTE: “Anytime I say unplug and check connections” or something like that…
It also means unplug the washer, so you don’t get electrocuted!
SUDS Error – Suds fault.
- Your Duet washer has detected that it is full of soap suds which are difficult to drain. Or perhaps your Duet washer wants a beer… This can be caused by using non HE washer detergent, using too much soap, or possibly a drain pump or pressure sensing problem.
F0E1 Error – Load detected during a clean cycle fault.
- Your Duet washer has encountered a load during a washer cleaning cycle. If this does not appear to be the case you may have mechanical friction causing drag when the inner washer drum is rotating.
F1E1 Error – Main control fault.
- This is a bad one… Duet washer central control error. Try unplugging the washer for a minute and putting the washer through a quick diagnostic test and see what you get… In some cases, this can reset the control and buy you some time.
F1E2 Error – Motor control fault.
- The motor control board (MCU) has attempted to reset several times and did not like the result. (Duet Washer Motor Tests)
F2E3 Error – Cycle fault.
- This is a rare one, but it means that something is wrong with the washer cycle that was selected. Put your Duet washer through the UI Tests, and check all of the connections to the control. Your washer may need a new main control board.
F3E1 Error – Duet Washer Pressure Switch/ Sensor Fault.
- Check the pressure sensing hose for kinks or blockage. You will also want to test the pressure sensor (Duet Washer Pressure Sensor Check)
- Check the washers fill hose and valve screens for anything that may cause the washer to fill slowly.
F3E2 Error – Duet Washer Temperature Sensor Fault.
- This error will display if the washer’s temperature sensor is out of range. (23º – 217º) Check all wire connections from control to the washer temp sensor. I have had several of these become unplugged at the sensor connection at the back of the washer drum. (Duet Washer Temperature Sensor Check)
F5E1 Error – Duet Washer Door Switch Fault.
- Possible causes…
1. Your Duet washer has a bad door switch.
2. You have not opened to door for three wash cycles… (Too many Margarita!?)
3. Trying to start a cycle when the washer door is open. (Duet Washer Door Switch Check)
F5E2 Error – Duet Washer Door Lock Fault.
- Your Duet washer was not able to lock the door after 6 times… you can’t say it didn’t try. Check that the tab on the washer’s door that inserts into the door lock is not broken, that it’s properly aligned with the door lock hole, and that there is nothing that may be jamming the lock. (Duet Washer Door Lock Check)
F5E3 Error – Door Unlock Fault.
- Your Duet washer was not able to unlock after six tries. Check that the tab on the washer’s door that inserts into the door lock is not broken, that it’s properly aligned with the door lock hole, and that there is nothing that may be jamming the lock.
F6E2 Error – Communication fault.
- Communication error between the primary control and the motor control. Check all the wire connections from the CCU to the MSU for good connection. If everything looks good, check for broken wires with a multi meter.
F6E2 and F6E3 Errors – Communication fault
- Communication fault between the main control board (CCU) and the user interface (UI) unplug and check the wire connections between the washer’s (CCU) and the washer’s (UI)
F7E2 Error – Motor or motor control board fault.
- Make sure the inner drum turns freely. (There may be some magnetic resistance (Magnetic Motor), but there should be no mechanical drag.)) (Duet Washer Motor Check)
F8E0 Error – (Steam models) Steam valve fault.
- Check that water is getting to the steam valve, it may be blocked or restricted.
F8E1 Error – Water fill fault.
- Your Duet washer has tried to fill for 13 minutes but has not sensed any water entering the tub… Are your home valves turned on? Is the drain hose too far down the drain pipe? If the end of the drain hose is below the water level in the washer, water can siphon out as fast as it goes in. Check water valve electrical connections before changing out the valve.
F8E2 Error Dispenser fault.
- This means that the dispenser motor which directs fill water to the appropriate dispenser area is not moving properly. Take the top off and run the Duet Washer Quick Diagnostic Test, C03 checks the Duet washer’s dispensing system.
F8E3 Error – Overflow fault.
- If this was real you are probably already aware of it… but hopefully, your Duet washer’s computer brain saved the day and drained the water out before your floor was ruined. If you get this error…
1. check that the washer’s water valves are closing all the way and water is not filling the tub when it shouldn’t be. If water is slowly filling the tub even when the washer is unplugged you need to replace the washer fill valves. If it’s filling quickly and it suddenly stops when you unplug the washer you may have a bad main control board.
2. Check that the drain pump is working properly.
3. Check the pressure sensor.
F8E4 Error – Flow meter fault.
- Not even 0.1 L of water has entered the tub from the first 30 seconds of the Duet Washer Quick Test… Is the water turned on?
F9E1 Error – Long drain fault.
- This is the most common Duet washer error code! The F9E1 long drain error is referring to duration, not length. If it takes longer than 8 minutes to drain your highly water efficient washer then either the drain system is plugged up with who knows what or the drain pump is having a problem. The best way I have found to deal with the water when your washer’s drain pump isn’t working is to use a shop vac and pull from the drain hose. If that works your pump is highly suspect. If it doesn’t work then you almost certainly have a clog in your Duet washer’s drain system and the pump may be okay.
Clear Stored Duet Error & Fault Codes
Not all washer made by Whirlpool have the ability to clear error code memory. Thankfully this style does… Once you are in the Duet washer’s diagnostic mode and have recorded any errors that the washer has in its little computer brain, press and hold the 3rd button used to enter diagnostics for 5 seconds…
Like it never happened : )
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If I go through the diagnostics will I then be able to run my washer just like normal?