On the covered Maytag front-load washer, F5 E3, F29, F/dU means the washer would not unlock the door First, give the washer time to drain, then try the door again. Then: release the door by hand if needed, check the lock wiring, and replace the door lock assembly if it is defective.
Differential
Likely causes of “Maytag front-load washer code F5 E3, F29, F/dU”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Water or a cycle step is still holding the door lock
What separates it F5 E3, F29 or F/dU shows at the end of a cycle and the door will not open
How to confirm Look through the glass for water, and wait for the drain to finish
- 2
The door lock assembly will not release
What separates it The drum is empty and the lock never clicks
How to confirm A technician checks the lock and its wiring
- 3
A latch hook or strike that is bent or dirty
What separates it The door closes but the lock is slow to release
How to confirm Look at the hook on the door and the lock opening for residue
- 4
A cycle cancelled partway through
What separates it The door stays locked soon after you stop a wash early
How to confirm Allow the drum to stop and the water to drain before you test the lock
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether water is still in the drum
- Whether you hear the lock click at the end of a cycle
- Whether the code appeared after a power cut mid-cycle
- The model number from the door frame
Try in this order
0 of 11 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleGive the washer time to drain, then try the door again.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleRelease the door by hand if needed, check the lock wiring, and replace the door lock assembly if it is defective.
Give the washer time to drain
ReversibleA front-load washer keeps its door locked until the cycle and the drain are done. Give it a few minutes, then try the door again.
Release the lock by resetting the power
ReversibleUnplug the washer for five minutes and plug it back in, then see whether the lock releases and the code stays away.
Check the lock wiring and assembly
ReversibleIf the door stays locked with the drum empty, a technician checks the lock wiring and replaces the door lock assembly if it is defective.
Clear the opening the hook enters
ReversibleWith the washer unplugged, shine a light into the lock opening on the washer front and look for lint, a coin or a clump of detergent. Remove it with a plastic tool, since a blocked opening keeps the hook from retracting.
Let the drum come to rest
ReversibleThe lock stays engaged while the drum is turning. After a cancelled cycle give the washer a few minutes before you judge the lock.
Drain the tub
ReversibleIf water remains, run a drain and spin cycle. A Maytag front-loader keeps the door shut while water is above the seal.
Power-cycle and listen
ReversibleUnplug for five minutes, plug in, and listen for a click from the door lock as the washer starts up. A click with an open door is a pass, and silence points at the lock.
Look at the seal for a trapped item
ReversibleA small garment or a pet hair mat caught between the door seal and the glass can keep the hook from retracting. Run a finger around the seal with the washer off and remove whatever is there.
Inspect the hook on the door
ReversibleLook from the side at the metal hook that enters the lock. A bent hook or one with a rough edge can bind and should be photographed for the technician.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Shown as
- F5 E3, F29 or F/dU on a front-load display.
- Part named
- Door lock assembly.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Do not pull the door open by force
- !Book Maytag service if the drum is empty and the lock still will not release
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
What does F5 E3, F29, F/dU mean on a Maytag front-load washer?+
the washer would not unlock the door
Can I open the door by hand?+
The documented step is to release the door by hand if needed, after the washer has drained and the power is off. Check your use and care guide for the release method on your model, and do not force the door.
Can a power cut trigger it?+
Yes. If power drops mid-cycle the lock may stay engaged until power returns and the washer drains.
What if my Maytag front-loader locks mid-wash with water inside?+
The door stays locked while there is water in the drum, which is by design. Cancel the cycle and drain, and wait for the lock to release before you reach in.
Is F/dU a different problem from F5 E3?+
No. Whirlpool-built front-loaders show the same unlock fault as F5 E3, F29 or F/dU, depending on the control.
How long should I wait before calling for service?+
If the drum is empty, the power has been cycled, and the door will not release after about ten minutes, book service. Do not force the door.
Can a heavy load cause F/dU?+
A heavy load does not cause the code itself, but an unbalanced drum that stops abruptly can delay the lock's release.
Can a bad door seal cause F5 E3?+
A torn or swollen seal can press the door hard against the lock, which can make the hook bind. Check the seal for damage as part of the lock inspection.
Is it safe to keep washing while I wait for the repair?+
If the door will release at the end of cycles, you can keep washing. If it ever stays locked with water inside, stop using the washer.
Can I pull the door open if it stays locked?+
Do not force it. Water can pour out and the latch can break. Let the drum drain, unplug the washer for five minutes and try again. If the door stays shut, ask service how to use the washer's manual release, since where it is depends on the model.