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Whirlpool Washer F8E1 and LF: What They Mean and How to Fix Them
Seeing F8E1, LF or Lo FL on your Whirlpool washer? Here is what Whirlpool says the codes mean, the water supply checks you can safely do yourself, and when to call a technician.
What Does Whirlpool F8E1 Mean?
Whirlpool says LF means the washer is taking too long to fill, and F8E1 means it isn’t detecting the correct amount of incoming water. On front-load models, F8E1 and Lo FL mean the washer is sensing a low flow of water. Whirlpool washers need both hot and cold supplies. Sources: Whirlpool F8E1 (opens in a new tab) and LF (opens in a new tab) pages.
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Common Signs With F8E1 or LF
You may notice one or more of these along with the code.
What Causes Whirlpool F8E1 and LF?
These are the causes Whirlpool lists and the parts a technician checks.
How to Fix Whirlpool F8E1 and LF
Try these steps in order. Turn off both faucets before disconnecting a hose.
Open both faucets fully
Whirlpool says both hot and cold supplies are required. Check both hoses for kinks and make sure they aren’t reversed.
Clean the inlet screens
Turn off the water, disconnect the hoses and clean the screens at the washer inlets without removing them. Replace hoses that are clogged.
Check the drain hose
The drain hose should go only about 4.5 inches into the standpipe, without tape, so the washer doesn’t siphon water out as it fills.
When to Call a Technician
Schedule a repair if:
- Both faucets are open but it won’t fill
- The inlet valve buzzes with no water
- F8E1 returns after cleaning screens
- Water drips in when the washer is off
Related Whirlpool Washer Pages
Whirlpool washer repairMore help, including other Whirlpool codes:
Whirlpool washer F9E1 error codeWhirlpool washer F5E2 / F5E3 error codeWhirlpool washer F21 / F02 error codeWhirlpool dryer AF / F4E3 error codeWhirlpool dishwasher F9E1 error codeAll Whirlpool appliance repairWhirlpool front-load F20 support pageWritten estimate first
Need Help With Whirlpool F8E1?
ALAS technicians diagnose Whirlpool fill codes, test the inlet valve and give you a written estimate before any repair.
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Whirlpool Washer F8E1 and LF FAQs
Both are fill codes. Whirlpool says LF means the washer is taking too long to fill and F8E1 means it isn’t detecting the correct amount of incoming water. The checks are the same: faucets, hoses and inlet screens.
Whirlpool says both supplies are required. If the washer doesn’t detect both, it locks the lid and runs a pump-out instead of washing, so keep both faucets fully open even if you wash in cold.
Whirlpool says F20 on a front-load washer is a water inlet problem: no water or not enough water. The checks are the same as for F8E1: open both faucets, check for kinks and clean the inlet screens.
If both faucets are fully open, the hoses and screens are clear, and the washer still fills slowly or not at all, the water inlet valve is the usual cause and a technician should test it.
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