On the covered Whirlpool front-load washer, F9 E1, F21, F/02, A10, F33, F26 means the washer could not drain in the time allowed, or the drain pump circuit is faulty First, look at the drain hose for a kink and check how far it enters the standpipe.
Differential
Likely causes of “Whirlpool front-load washer code F9 E1, F21, F/02, A10, F33, F26”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A drain hose that is too deep in the standpipe, kinked or blocked
What separates it The drum stays full and the hose is pinched, sealed with tape or set deeper than the manual allows
How to confirm Pull the hose out and check it; Whirlpool says it must not extend more than 4.5 inches (113 mm) into the drainpipe
- 2
A clogged drain pump filter
What separates it The washer drains slowly and the filter behind the lower dispenser drawer on some models has never been cleaned
How to confirm Clean the drain pump filter as your manual describes; Whirlpool says a clogged filter stops the washer draining well
- 3
Excess suds that the pump cannot move
What separates it The drum is full of foam when the code appears
How to confirm Remove excess suds; the tables say the washer cannot drain excessively sudsy water
- 4
A blocked house drain
What separates it The standpipe backs up or gurgles while the washer drains
How to confirm Run a sink or bucket of water down the standpipe alone and watch how fast it clears
- 5
A failed drain pump, its relay or its drive circuit
What separates it The filter and drain are clear and the pump is silent or hums
How to confirm The tables name the drain pump, and on the Duet Sport (F33) and compact (F26) washers the drain pump relay or drive circuit on the main control board
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact display: F9 E1, F21, F/02, A10, F33 or F26
- Whether the drum still held water when the washer stopped
- How the drain hose is routed and how far it enters 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
ReversibleClean the drain pump filter, clear the hose and house drain, and replace the pump only if it fails when tested.
Check the hose and the standpipe
ReversibleWhirlpool says the hose must not extend more than 4.5 inches (113 mm) into the drainpipe, that the U-shape hose form from the installation instructions gives the right length, and that the maximum hose height is 96 inches from the bottom of the washer. Do not seal the hose into the pipe with tape; the air gap breaks the siphon.
Clean the drain pump filter
ReversibleWhirlpool says the drain pump filter, behind the bottom dispenser drawer on some models, should be cleaned occasionally. The Duet HE table says to check the large item filter in the drain pump for a clog.
Clear suds and the house drain
ReversibleThe tables say to remove excess suds, check the house drain for a clog, and check the drain hose for kinks or clogs. Use the suds page if foam is the cause.
Replace the pump or the board part the table names
ReversibleReplace the drain pump if it is defective. On the Duet Alpha and the compact, if the washer drains properly the water level pressure switch is not reading the level and is replaced. On the Duet Sport F33 and the compact F26 the table names the drain pump relay or drive circuit on the main electronic control board.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Displayed as
- F9 E1, F21, F/02, A10, F33 or F26, by platform.
- Parts named by the service tables
- Drain pump; water level pressure switch; main electronic control board (F33, F26).
- Tools
- A shallow pan, towels and a bucket for the filter; pliers for the hose clamps.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Unplug the washer and bail the drum before you open the drain pump filter, because water will run out and the pump is at line voltage
- !Do not run the washer with the pump filter removed
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. The 4.5 inch depth and the 96 inch height are Whirlpool's own figures.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does F9 E1, F21, F/02, A10, F33, F26 mean on a Whirlpool front-load washer?+
the washer could not drain in the time allowed, or the drain pump circuit is faulty
Do suds affect draining?+
Yes; the tables say the washer cannot drain excessively sudsy water.