Maytag Washer Error Code Reference
Maytag washers share the Whirlpool platform at the control-board level (Whirlpool owns Maytag since 2006), so the F#E# code dictionary is nearly identical. Where Maytag differs is in the display vocabulary: more letter-codes (Lid, ndF, dL) and slightly different fault-priority logic on the Bravos top-load family.
| Code | Fault | Most Likely Cause | First Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| F1E1 | Main control board (ACU) fault | Failed appliance control unit | Power-cycle 10 min, then replace ACU |
| F2E1 | Stuck key on user interface | Liquid intrusion / worn membrane | Replace user interface |
| F3E1 | Water temperature sensor | Failed thermistor | Test sensor resistance |
| F5E1 | Door switch fault (front-load) | Switch open or failed | Test door switch |
| F5E2 | Door won’t lock | Lock motor or wax actuator failed | Replace lock assembly |
| F5E3 | Door can’t unlock | Same as F5E2, opposite direction | Manual unlock + replace |
| F6E1 / F6E2 / F6E3 | Communication fault (ACU↔UI or ACU↔MCU) | Wiring or board failure | Re-seat ribbon cables |
| F7E1 | Motor drive fault | Motor or MCU failed | Test motor windings |
| F8E1 | Long fill | Water supply or inlet valve issue | Verify supply |
| F8E2 | Detergent dispenser fault | Stuck actuator | Inspect dispenser |
| F8E3 | Overflow | Pressure sensor or inlet valve | Shut supply |
| F9E1 | Long drain | Drain pump blocked | Clean pump filter |
| F9E2 | Drain pump fault | Pump electrically failed | Replace pump |
| F0E1 | Foreign object in tub (Bravos) | Item between inner and outer tub | Disassemble and remove |
| dE | Door not locked | Same as F5E2 | Inspect door |
| dL | Door cannot lock | Same as F5E2 | Replace lock |
| dU | Door cannot unlock | Same as F5E3 | Manual unlock |
| Lid | Lid not closed or lid lock fault (top-load) | Lid switch failed | Test lid switch |
| LdL | Lid lock fault (Bravos) | Lock motor failed | Replace lid lock |
| Sud / Sd | Suds detected | Too much detergent | Run cleaning cycle |
| ndF | Drain fault (no drain detected) | Same as F9E1 | Clean pump |
| Int | Cycle interrupted | Power outage or door opened mid-cycle | Resume cycle |
| oFb | Off-balance | Load not distributed | Redistribute laundry |
The 4 Most Common Maytag Washer Faults
F8E1 — Long Fill
Most common Maytag fault by service-call frequency. Same diagnosis as Whirlpool F8E1:
- Both supply valves fully open, pressure ≥20 PSI.
- Inlet hoses not kinked, inlet screens clean.
- Inlet solenoid working — test each coil (hot and cold) separately.
On the Bravos top-load (impeller drive), there’s an extra failure mode: the “balance sensor” (a tilt switch) can intermittently report a non-level condition that prevents the fill cycle from starting. If you see F8E1 combined with no inlet-valve activation, level the unit first.
F9E1 / ndF — Long Drain
Drain pump can’t clear within the window.
- Clean the drain pump filter. On front-load Maytags (MHW series), there’s a lower-front access panel. On Bravos top-loads, lift the front-right corner of the inner tub.
- Verify drain hose high loop (~32-39 in rise) before standpipe.
- Test pump electrically. Hums but no water = impeller fouled. Dead = replace.
A subtle Bravos-specific failure: the recirculation pump (separate from drain pump) can fail closed and cause F9E1 by preventing the pressure switch from reading “drained”. Verify both pumps move water.
Lid / LdL — Lid Lock Fault (Bravos top-load)
Bravos washers have a lid lock that engages during spin. Failure modes:
- Lid switch contacts dirty. Spray contacts with electronics cleaner; if the lid open/close shows in diagnostic mode after cleaning, the switch was the issue.
- Lid lock motor (solenoid) failed. A common failure mode after 3-5 years of use. Replacement is ~$35-$60 part, 30-minute job.
- Lid lock harness pinched. The harness routes through the hinge and chafes on the sheet metal edge. Inspect, re-route if needed.
F1E1 — ACU (Main Control Board) Fault
Same as Whirlpool F1E1. Power off at breaker for 10 minutes. If F1E1 returns, the ACU has failed.
Before swapping the ACU ($180-$380 part), verify:
- All wiring harnesses re-seated firmly at the ACU.
- No water intrusion at the ACU housing (Bravos units installed in basements with high humidity sometimes have ACU corrosion).
- The MCU (motor control unit) is also healthy — F1E1 sometimes cascades from MCU failure.
Parts That May Need Replacement {#parts}
| Part | Where to Buy | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Drain pump (W10581874 / WPW10730972-style) | Check price on Amazon | RepairClinic | $35-$95 |
| Lid lock / strike assembly (Bravos top-load) | Check price on Amazon | $35-$65 |
| Door lock (front-load MHW) | Check price on Amazon | $45-$80 |
| Inlet valve (dual coil) | Check price on Amazon | $45-$95 |
| Pressure sensor | Check price on Amazon | $25-$55 |
| Drive motor (Bravos direct-drive) | Check price on Amazon | $180-$320 |
| ACU (appliance control unit) - main board | RepairClinic, Maytag parts | $180-$380 |
| Lid switch (older Centennial / Atlantis) | Check price on Amazon | $20-$45 |
Technician Tips
- Maytag Bravos diagnostic mode: knob units use the same 3R-1L-1R-1L pattern as Whirlpool. Button units (newer Bravos XL) hold Pause/Cancel and Spin Speed together for 3 seconds.
- The Bravos suspension rods (4 of them, support the outer tub) fail at year 5-7 reliably. Symptom: violent vibration during spin + chronic uE/oFb codes. Replace all four together — single-rod replacement creates an unbalanced suspension that re-fails within months.
- The F0E1 “foreign object in tub” code on Bravos units is real, not a sensor false-alarm. Disassemble and pull whatever’s wedged between the inner and outer tub (usually a sock or coin). Failing to address it cascades into bearing damage.
- Maytag’s Whirlpool-shared parts (W10581874 pump, dual-coil inlet valves, ACU/MCU boards) often work across Whirlpool, Maytag, Kenmore, and Amana lines. Cross-reference part numbers if your local supply doesn’t stock Maytag-specific.
Common Code Combinations
- F8E1 → F35: Same diagnosis as Whirlpool — supply issue triggered pressure sensor range error.
- F9E1 → Sud: Drain blocked AND suds present. Clean filter, run vinegar cleaning cycle.
- Lid → F7E1: Lid lock failure prevented spin, motor drive errored out. Fix lid lock first.
- F0E1 → uE → F9E1: Foreign object damaged the inner tub, threw the balance off, then jammed the drain. Disassemble and resolve at once.
If codes return within 24 hours of clearing, you have a real failure — not a glitch. Schedule the actual diagnostic.
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