How to Fix F3 E1 Errors on Whirlpool Washers

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Fix this common error (and prevent it from happening again) to get your washer back in working order

Co-authored by Eric McClure

Last Updated: October 30, 2024 Fact Checked

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What does F3 E1 mean?

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Causes of F3 E1 Errors

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Fixing the Problem

The F3 E1 error is a common issue if you’ve got a Whirlpool washing machine. It basically means that your machine lost track of the water level, and it’s usually just a glitch you can get rid of by resetting the machine. However, if the error comes back after resetting the washer, your pressure sensor is probably bad. We’ll help you figure out how to end this pesky error code.

Things You Should Know

An F3 E1 error indicates that your washing machine isn’t detecting the water level correctly.
Consistent F3 E1 errors typically mean the pressure sensor in your machine ran into a bug, although the pressure switch, control unit, and hose may be to blame.
Reset your machine to clear the error code by unplugging it, waiting 1 minute, and plugging it back in.

Section 1 of 3:

What does F3 E1 mean?

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F3 E1 means your machine isn’t detecting the water level. All F#/E# errors are system error codes, which means a sensor is detecting bad data.^{[1]
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Research source} In the case of F3 E1, the water level isn’t being detected. Your machine won’t fill or run when this happens since the machine cannot determine if the water is about to overflow.
- This will often happen at the beginning of cycles when the drum is filling with water, or at the end of a cycle when the drum starts emptying for the rinse cycle.
- The water level is usually perfectly fine whenever the F3 E1 pops on. This error will trigger the exact moment the water level isn’t accurately being tracked, so it shouldn’t cause flooding to run your machine most of the time.

Section 2 of 3:

Causes of F3 E1 Errors

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The water pressure sensor is bad. This is the most common cause of F3 E1 errors. The pressure sensor is the electronic component that interprets the data being fed from the hose. If the sensor goes bad, your machine won’t know where the water level is and it will shut off.^{[2]
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- There are three components to your washer’s water detection system: the sensor, hose, and switch. In most cases, the sensor is to blame for F3 E1 errors.
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The pressure switch hose is blocked or loose. The switch hose is an empty hose that runs from the top of the machine to the pressure sensor and switch. All it does is carry air from the top of the machine to the switch and sensor. But if that hose gets blocked somehow or becomes loose, the sensor and switch won’t be able to interpret the air pressure at the top of the drum.^{[3]
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- The hose is tucked inside the machine's housing, so you can’t check it without disassembling the washer.
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The water pressure switch is bad. If your machine overflowed or it won’t fill at all, it’s probably the pressure switch. This component flips on or off automatically whenever the hose and sensor determine whether the machine needs water or finally has enough. If the switch isn’t working, the water won’t turn off or turn on at all.^{[4]
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- This is a pretty rare failure since the switch is a pretty rudimentary component compared to the sensor.
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The control unit for the washer is bad. The control panel is the big panel on the top of your machine with all the wash settings for your cycles. That panel is controlled by a central control unit. If that unit has failed in the middle of a rinse or fill cycle, you may get the F3 E1 error on accident.^{[5]
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- This is a pretty fringe problem. If the control unit is bad, you won’t be able to operate your machine at all after clearing the F3 E1 error.

Section 3 of 3:

Fixing the Problem

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Reset your machine to clear the error code. In most cases, a single E1 F3 error indicates a meaningless bug. Your sensor probably just briefly lost track of the water level, and the code flipped on. Unplug your machine, wait at least 1 minute, then plug the machine back in. If there’s water in the drum, run a drain-only cycle. Then, re-run your wash cycle.^{[6]
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- If the code never comes back, your washing machine is just fine.
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Contact Whirlpool if the problem occurs again. If this problem happens again or your machine overflowed, close off the water valves and unplug the machines. Call 1-866-698-2538 in the US, or 1-800-807-6777 if you’re in Canada. Whirlpool also has a live chat feature if you don’t want to talk to anyone on the phone.
- If you are extremely handy and don’t care about the warranty on your machine, you can try replacing the switch, hose, and sensor yourself by unplugging the machine, removing the two back panels, and swapping each piece out for replacements.^{[7]
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  Research source} Whirlpool explicitly advises against this, though, and fiddling with the sensor may void your warranty.^{[8]
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