On the covered Whirlpool top-load washer, F9 E1, F9 E2, F0 E8, drn, dr, Ld means the water level did not fall when the drain pump ran, or too much water was left in the tub after a drain First, look at the drain hose for a kink and check how far it enters the standpipe.
Differential
Likely causes of “Whirlpool top-load washer code F9 E1, F9 E2, F0 E8, drn, dr, Ld”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A kinked drain hose, or one pushed too far into the standpipe
What separates it The tub is still full when the washer stops and the hose is pinched or set deeper than the elbow
How to confirm Pull the drain hose out, straighten it and check it against the installation guide; Whirlpool says a hose too deep can siphon or let water drain back
- 2
A blocked household drain or utility sink
What separates it Water backs up in the standpipe or the sink while the washer drains
How to confirm Run water in the standpipe or sink alone and watch how fast it clears
- 3
A clogged or failed drain pump
What separates it The pump hums or is silent and the tub stays full even with a clear hose and drain
How to confirm Unplug the washer and check the pump for a clog; the service table says to replace it if defective
- 4
A drop in water level that the control does not detect
What separates it The tub empties normally but the washer still shows the code
How to confirm Watch the tub empty; if it does, the table says the main electronic control board is the fault
- 5
Residual water left in the tub at the end of a drain (F0 E8)
What separates it Water is still visible in the tub after the drain and the cycle stops
How to confirm Run a Drain and Spin cycle; Whirlpool says F0 E8 means too much residual water was detected
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which code shows: F9 E1, F9 E2, drn, dr or Ld
- Whether the tub was still full when the washer stopped
- How the drain hose is routed and how far it goes into the standpipe
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleLook at the drain hose for a kink and check how far it enters the standpipe.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleClear the hose, standpipe or pump; if the drain is clear and the level still does not drop, the pump or the level sensor is next.
Check the drain hose and the standpipe
ReversibleWhirlpool says the hose should not go too far below the elbow of the standpipe, that the factory hose form should not be altered, and that the hose should not be taped to the drain pipe. Straighten any kink and clear any blockage in the pipe or utility sink.
Time the drain
ReversibleThe service tables say the code appears when the water level does not change after the pump has run, and the Cabrio/belt-drive table gives that time as 10 minutes. If the tub empties in that time, the problem is not the pump.
Unplug the washer and check the pump
ReversibleThe tables say to unplug the washer and check the drain pump for a clog, and to replace the pump if it is defective. Look for coins, buttons and lint in the pump and in the hose that runs to it.
Replace the control board only when the tub drains
ReversibleThe 2015 Cabrio table says that if the washer is draining correctly and the drop in water level is not being detected, the main electronic control board is the part to replace.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Displayed as
- F9 E1, F9 E2, F0 E8, drn, dr or Ld.
- Parts named by the service tables
- Drain pump; main electronic control board.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Unplug the washer and bail the tub by hand before you look at the pump, because a pump that is still connected is at line voltage
- !Do not put a hand near the impeller of a pump you have not unplugged; a stuck item can also cut
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. The 4.5 inch depth is from Whirlpool's own drn page; the 10 minute timing is from the Cabrio/belt-drive table.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does F9 E1, F9 E2, F0 E8, drn, dr, Ld mean on a Whirlpool top-load washer?+
the water level did not fall when the drain pump ran, or too much water was left in the tub after a drain
Are drn, dr and Ld the same fault?+
Yes for this page. The 2015 Cabrio table lists F9 E1, F9 E2, drn and dr together as one long-drain fault, and Whirlpool's drn page describes the same drain-pump problem.
How deep should the drain hose go into the standpipe?+
Whirlpool's drn page says the hose should not extend more than 4.5 inches (114 mm) into the standpipe; check the installation guide for your model.
How long does the pump run before the code?+
The Cabrio/belt-drive table says the washer does not drain after the pump has run for 10 minutes.
Is it the pump or the board?+
If the tub stays full, the pump or the drain path is at fault. If the tub empties and the code stays, the table names the main electronic control board.