On the covered Whirlpool top-load washer, F0 E5, F0 E9, OFb, uL means the washer could not balance the load for the spin First, open the lid and look at how the wet load sits around the wash plate. Then: redistribute the load, level the cabinet, and check the suspension if it keeps happening.
Differential
Likely causes of “Whirlpool top-load washer code F0 E5, F0 E9, OFb, uL”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A load that has bunched to one side of the wash plate
What separates it The drum bangs or walks in the spin and the code shows after the wash portion
How to confirm Open the lid and look at how the wet load sits; a heavy lump on one side is the fault
- 2
An unlevel cabinet
What separates it The washer rocks when you push a top corner and the code repeats with balanced loads
How to confirm Set a level on the top and adjust the feet until no corner rocks
- 3
A weak or broken suspension rod or spring
What separates it The washer is level and the load balanced, but the basket bounces more than once when pushed
How to confirm With the washer empty, push down firmly on the basket; the 2015 Cabrio table says it should not bounce more than once
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact display: F0 E5, F0 E9, OFb or uL
- Whether the load was a single bulky item such as a rug or a comforter
- Whether the code repeats on small mixed loads
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleOpen the lid and look at how the wet load sits around the wash plate.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleRedistribute the load, level the cabinet, and check the suspension if it keeps happening.
Cancel and redistribute the load
ReversibleWhirlpool's F0 E9 page says cancel the cycle, run a drain-only cycle if water is present, and rearrange clothing or remove some items so the load is level and not overloaded; it suggests the Bulky or Heavy Duty cycle.
Level the washer
ReversibleThe Sears table for the 2015 Cabrio says to level the washer cabinet. Adjust the front feet and lock the nuts, then check that no corner rocks.
Test the suspension
ReversibleWith the washer empty, open the lid and push down firmly on the basket, as the table describes. If it bounces more than once, replace the suspension springs; the Cabrio/belt-drive table says to replace all four rods and springs as a kit.
Run a small balanced load
ReversibleAfter the load and the level are corrected, run a modest load of mixed items to confirm the spin completes without the code.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Displayed as
- F0 E5, F0 E9, OFb, ofb or uL.
- Parts named by the service tables
- Suspension springs (a kit of four rods and springs on the Cabrio/belt-drive platform).
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Unplug the washer before you reach into a basket that may still be turning, and let it stop fully
- !Do not keep restarting the spin on a washer that is banging against the cabinet; stop and check the suspension
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. The 'bounce once' test is the 2015 Cabrio table's own test; the self-correct routine is Whirlpool's F0 E9 wording.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does F0 E5, F0 E9, OFb, uL mean on a Whirlpool top-load washer?+
the washer could not balance the load for the spin
What do F0 E5, F0 E9, OFb and uL mean?+
All describe an unbalanced or out-of-balance load. Whirlpool's pages say the washer could not correct the balance itself and needs the load redistributed by hand.
What happens before the code shows?+
Whirlpool's F0 E9 page says the washer tries to self-correct by refilling and gently rotating back and forth before it displays the error.
Do I need to replace the springs?+
Only if the basket bounces more than once when pushed, or if a rod or spring is visibly broken. The Cabrio/belt-drive table says to replace all four together.
Can a single bulky item cause it?+
Yes. Wash bedding and rugs with a few towels so the load spreads around the wash plate.
Do Maytag and Amana washers share the fix?+
Yes, on the same top-load platform.