Whirlpool Top-Load Washer F3E1 Pressure Sensor Problem -- What You Need to Know
What's Happening
Certain Whirlpool-made top-load washers and stacked laundry units are experiencing a pressure sensor failure that causes an F3E1 error code or the drain pump to run continuously. When the control board can't read the water level, it goes into a safety mode and just keeps draining.
This is a known issue. Whirlpool released Technical Service Pointer W11766193 (now on Rev G as of March 2026) acknowledging the problem. It's not a recall -- it's a service notice with parts and labor coverage.
What Went Wrong
The pressure sensor on these washers is soldered directly onto the main control board -- it's not a separate replaceable part. Whirlpool's investigation found that their sensor supplier shipped a batch of defective pressure sensors. The bad sensors got mixed in with good ones, so there was no way to tell which boards had the defective sensors until they started failing. Whirlpool saw a spike in service claims starting in early 2024.
Symptoms
- F3E1 error code displayed
- Drain pump runs continuously (won't stop draining)
- Washer won't fill properly
- Washer overfills during auto-sensing
- Washer shuts off randomly mid-cycle
Which Models Are Affected
This affects washers sold under multiple Whirlpool Corporation brands -- Whirlpool, Maytag, Amana, Admiral, Inglis, and Roper.
Top-Load Washers:
ATW4516MW, ATW4519PW, ITW4871FW, ITW4880HW, MVW4005SW, MVWC465HW, NTW4516FW, NTW4519JW, RTW4519PW, WTW4616FW, WTW4655JW, WTW4715EW, WTW4816FW, WTW4850HW, WTW4855HW, WTW4950HW, WTW4955HW, WTW4957PW
(The service bulletin uses an asterisk after each model number to denote an engineering digit -- a character at the end that varies by production run. If your model starts with one of the numbers above, you're likely affected regardless of the last character.)
Stacked Laundry:
WET4027HW, WETLV27HW, WGT4027HW, WGTLV27HW, YWET4027HW
Serial Number Range:
- Top-load washers: CC01xxxxx through CD35xxxxx
- Stacked laundry: MC01xxxxx through MD35xxxxx
If your serial number falls in this range, Whirlpool covers the repair at no cost to you.
How to Check If You're Covered
- Find your model number (usually inside the lid or on the back -- check our model and serial number guide if you need help locating it)
- Find your serial number on the same tag
- If the model matches the list above and the serial number starts with CC01 through CD35 (or MC01 through MD35 for stacked units), you're in the covered range
What Whirlpool Covers (And the Catch)
If your washer falls within the affected model and serial number range, Whirlpool will cover the repair at no cost -- parts and labor. Previous versions of the service notice had an expiration date on this coverage, but the current revision (Rev G, March 2026) no longer has one.
Here's the catch: this repair has to go through Whirlpool's authorized service network. That means scheduling through them, waiting for their availability, and waiting for the replacement control board -- which has been chronically backordered. We've seen customers wait weeks for Whirlpool to get a board and get a tech out.
We always tell our customers about the Whirlpool coverage -- it's your right and it's free. But if you need your washer working today rather than in a few weeks, we offer an alternative.
What We Do Differently
At Lubbock Appliance Repair, we can often fix this without waiting for a replacement board. The pressure sensor (the actual failed component) is a through-hole soldered part on the control board. Our owner replaces the defective sensor directly -- on-site, same day in most cases. The board doesn't leave your house. Your washer is back up and running the same day we're there.
This is a component-level board repair -- it takes soldering skill and the right replacement sensor. Most repair shops can't do this, which is why they order the whole board and tell you to wait. We'd rather fix what's actually broken. Read more about our board repair capabilities.
If the board repair doesn't resolve the issue, you don't pay for it. We'll help you get the replacement board through Whirlpool's service coverage instead.
What If My Washer Isn't in the Covered Range?
The same pressure sensor failure can happen on washers outside the serial number range covered by the service notice -- it's just less common. If your Whirlpool or Maytag top-loader is showing F3E1 or running the drain pump non-stop, call us regardless. We'll diagnose it and let you know your options. See our washer repair page for more on what we service.
Before You Call -- Check These First
Not every F3E1 code means a dead sensor. Before scheduling a repair:
- Check the pressure hose (the clear tube that runs from the tub up to the control board) for kinks, cracks, or disconnections
- Disconnect the hose from the board and blow through it to clear any water, suds, or debris
- Make sure the hose isn't pinched where it routes through the lower cabinet
If those steps don't fix it, the sensor on the board is most likely the problem. Give us a call at (806) 730-6300 or request a repair.
For more Whirlpool repair info, see our Whirlpool and Maytag repair page.
