On the covered Whirlpool front-load washer, F7 E2, F1 E2, F11, F31, F42, F/10, F/15 means the motor control board reported an error or overheated, or the motor was overloaded First, take clothes out if the drum was overloaded and let the washer cool.
Differential
Likely causes of “Whirlpool front-load washer code F7 E2, F1 E2, F11, F31, F42, F/10, F/15”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
An overloaded drum overheating the motor or its control board
What separates it The code appears late in a heavy load and the motor is hot
How to confirm Take clothes out; the Duet Alpha table says overloading the washer can cause the code
- 2
Friction in the drive system
What separates it The drum drags when turned by hand and the motor runs hot
How to confirm Remove any obstruction between the spin basket and the tub; the table says friction overheats the motor or the board
- 3
A worn or locked tub bearing
What separates it The drum is stiff or noisy to turn by hand
How to confirm The table says to replace the tub bearing if it is worn or locked up
- 4
Loose wiring at the motor control board
What separates it The drum turns freely by hand and the code stays on
How to confirm Check the wire harness connections on the motor control board and make sure the drive motor connections are secure
- 5
A failed motor control board
What separates it Wiring is sound and the drive turns freely by hand
How to confirm The tables say the motor control board usually needs replacing
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact display code, from F7 E2, F1 E2, F11, F31, F42, F/10 or F/15
- Whether the load in the drum was heavy or bulky
- Whether the motor was hot to the touch afterwards
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleTake clothes out if the drum was overloaded and let the washer cool.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleCheck the harness at the motor control board and remove drum friction before replacing the board.
Reduce the load and let it cool
ReversibleThe Duet Alpha table says overloading can cause F7 E2: remove some clothes if the drum was overloaded, and let the washer cool before running it again.
Check the drive for friction
ReversibleRemove any obstructions between the spin basket and the tub, and replace the tub bearing if it is worn or locked up.
Check the wiring
ReversibleUnplug the washer and check the wire harness connections on the motor control board, and that the drive motor connections are secure. On F11 the Duet Steam table also says to check the harness between the motor control board and the main board.
Replace the board
ReversibleIf the wiring and the drive are sound, the tables say the motor control board usually needs replacing; the Duet Alpha table also names the drive motor if it is defective.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Displayed as
- F7 E2, F1 E2, F11, F31, F42, F/10 or F/15, by platform.
- Parts named by the service tables
- Motor control board; drive motor; tub bearing; wire harness.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Unplug the washer and let the motor and its board cool before you touch them
- !Stop and have the washer inspected if you smell hot insulation
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. Whirlpool's own page for F7 E2 states no cause; the tables carry the checks.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does F7 E2, F1 E2, F11, F31, F42, F/10, F/15 mean on a Whirlpool front-load washer?+
the motor control board reported an error or overheated, or the motor was overloaded
What about F27 and F28 on the compact?+
The compact table lists F27 or F28 together as a motor control board error; on the Duet HE style F27 is an overflow and F28 a communication error, so check your style.
Is the tub bearing involved?+
The Duet Alpha table says to replace the tub bearing if it is worn or locked up.