On the covered Whirlpool dishwasher, F4 E3, F4 E4, FA E2, FA E3 means a heating error, or on the older tables a communication error with the circulation pump motor, or a drying fan or vent problem First, note whether the drying stage completes and whether the circulation pump runs.
Differential
Likely causes of “Whirlpool dishwasher code F4 E3, F4 E4, FA E2, FA E3”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A heating error that a reset clears
What separates it F4 E3 appears once and the drying stage completes normally
How to confirm Cut the power for 30 seconds and run a cycle, as Whirlpool says
- 2
A communication error with the circulation pump motor (older tables)
What separates it The wash does not circulate and F4 E3 or F4 E4 shows
How to confirm The older tables say to check the circulation pump wire harness and reconnect loose wires
- 3
A failed circulation pump and motor assembly
What separates it The harness is okay and the pump does not run
How to confirm The table says to replace the circulation pump and motor assembly, then the control board if the problem continues
- 4
A drying fan or vent wax motor fault (FA E2, FA E3)
What separates it The dishes come out wet and the fan or vent does not move
How to confirm Check the wiring to the drying fan or the vent wax motor circuit; the tables say to replace the part if the wiring is intact
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact display: F4 E3, F4 E4, FA E2 or FA E3
- Whether the dishes are wet at the end
- Whether you can hear the circulation pump running
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleNote whether the drying stage completes and whether the circulation pump runs.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleCheck the circulation pump or drying fan wiring, then replace the failed part.
Cycle the power
ReversibleWhirlpool's F4 E3 page names a heating error and asks for a 30-second power cycle; if the code returns, schedule service.
Check the circulation pump wiring
ReversibleThe older tables read F4 E3 (Global HE) and F4 E4 (MicroClean HE) as a communication error between the electronic control board and the circulation pump motor: unplug the dishwasher, check the circulation pump wire harness, reconnect loose wires or replace a damaged harness.
Replace the pump, then the board
ReversibleIf the wiring is okay, replace the circulation pump and motor assembly; if the problem continues, replace the electronic control board.
Check drying parts
ReversibleFor FA E3 the older tables say to check the wiring between the control board and the drying fan and replace the fan if the wiring is intact; for FA E2 they say to check the vent wax motor circuit wiring and replace the vent wax motor if the wiring is intact.
Time the heating phase
ReversibleRun a normal cycle and open the door at the end of the wash. The tub and the inside of the door should be hot to the touch. A cool tub confirms that heating failed and gives the technician a clear starting point.
Check the drying stage separately
ReversibleOn the older tables this code can also describe the circulation pump motor or a drying fan or vent problem, so note whether the dishes dry and whether you can hear the pump. That tells the technician which of the two circuits to test.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Displayed as
- F4 E3, F4 E4, FA E2 or FA E3 (4-3, 4-4, 10-2, 10-3 on the older tables).
- Parts named by the service tables
- Circulation pump and motor assembly; drying fan; vent wax motor; wire harness; electronic control board.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Unplug the dishwasher before you check any wiring
- !Do not touch the heating element or the drying components until they have cooled
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. Whirlpool's page and the older table disagree about F4 E3; both are given.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does F4 E3, F4 E4, FA E2, FA E3 mean on a Whirlpool dishwasher?+
a heating error, or on the older tables a communication error with the circulation pump motor, or a drying fan or vent problem
What are FA E2 and FA E3?+
Older-table faults: a vent wax motor electrical problem and a drying fan failure.
Which is right for my dishwasher?+
The two sources describe different generations; check the tech sheet.
Why does the table list more than one meaning?+
Whirlpool's platform has changed over the years, so the same code can describe a heating fault on a newer control and a circulation pump or drying fan fault on an older one.
Can I run the dishwasher without heat?+
It will wash with cooler water, but grease and detergent do not clean well, so the results will disappoint.
Does the model year help?+
Yes. Give the technician the full model number from the door label, since it fixes which table applies.
Is a heating element easy to replace?+
It is a moderate repair, but access varies, and a technician checks the thermistor and wiring at the same time.