On the covered Whirlpool top-load washer, F5 E3, dU, LdU means the washer could not unlock the lid First, take any laundry basket or other object off the lid. Then: if the lid is still held, check the lock wiring; a lid that has to be forced usually needs a new lock/switch and strike.
Differential
Likely causes of “Whirlpool top-load washer code F5 E3, dU, LdU”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Something resting on the lid
What separates it dU or LdU shows and a laundry basket or other object sits on top of the washer
How to confirm Take everything off the lid and press the lid button again
- 2
A lid lock/switch that does not release
What separates it The lid stays locked after the cycle ends and F5 E3 appears
How to confirm Unplug the washer and check the wiring at the lock
- 3
A damaged lock strike or a broken assembly after the lid was forced
What separates it The lid opens only when forced and the strike or lock is cracked
How to confirm Look for a cracked strike or a lock that no longer springs back
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The display: F5 E3, dU or LdU
- Whether anything was resting on the lid
- Whether the lid ever opens on its own after the cycle
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleTake any laundry basket or other object off the lid.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleIf the lid is still held, check the lock wiring; a lid that has to be forced usually needs a new lock/switch and strike.
Take everything off the lid
ReversibleWhirlpool's dU page says the washer detects objects on the lid that prevent it unlocking and asks you to remove objects, such as a basket of laundry, from the top of the washer.
Check the lock wiring
ReversibleThe 2015 Cabrio table says to unplug the washer and check the wire harness connections for the lid lock/switch assembly on the main electronic control board.
Release the lid by hand if needed
ReversibleThe Cabrio/belt-drive table says to lift the top panel to reach the assembly and try to unlock the lid manually without breaking the lock or the strike.
Replace damaged parts
ReversibleIf the lock or strike is broken, replace them; the tables name the lid lock/switch assembly and, on the Cabrio/belt-drive platform, the lock strike.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Displayed as
- F5 E3, dU or LdU.
- Parts named by the service tables
- Lid lock/switch assembly; lock strike.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Unplug the washer before you force a locked lid or lift the top panel to reach the lock
- !Do not pry a lid that is still held by the lock while the washer has power
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. The 'objects on the lid' cause is Whirlpool's own wording for dU.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does F5 E3, dU, LdU mean on a Whirlpool top-load washer?+
the washer could not unlock the lid
Why does a laundry basket matter?+
Whirlpool says weight on the lid can keep it from unlocking.
Will forcing the lid break it?+
The 2015 Cabrio table says forcing it open will usually break the lid lock/switch, which then has to be replaced.
Does this apply to Maytag and Amana?+
Yes, on the same top-load platform.