Whirlpool F00 washing machine: what it means & what to check

Stop using it for now. Carrying on with this fault risks further damage or a leak. Switch it off at the wall until it has been looked at.

What F00 actually means

The control board can't switch the drain pump on properly, so the machine stops rather than trying to empty itself.

On the AWO/D and AWD series, F00 points at the triac — the switching device on the main control board that feeds power to the drain pump. The machine has spotted that this circuit isn't behaving as it should, so it halts the programme, usually leaving water sitting in the drum. It isn't telling you the pump is blocked; it's telling you the electronics driving the pump are at fault, though a seized or failed pump can be what damaged the triac in the first place.

What F00 looks like on a Whirlpool washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Whirlpool washing machine, F00 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Machine not draining
Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water
Standing water in the bottom
No function at all
Dead — nothing lights up
Lights flashing and nothing happening
Programme won't start

Recognise any of those? That is this fault, and the rest of this page explains what causes it and what you can check yourself.

What usually causes it

Failed triac on the main control board (the most common finding)
A drain pump that has seized or burnt out and taken the board's output with it
Damaged or corroded wiring between the board and the pump
Water ingress into the control board area

What you can safely check yourself

Work through these in order. Anything beyond this — panels off, testing parts, anything to do with the wiring — is an engineer's job, and not one to attempt with the machine plugged in.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then back on — occasionally the code is a one-off and won't return
Clean the pump filter at the front bottom of the machine and clear anything caught in it (have a shallow tray and towels ready, there will be water)
Check the drain hose isn't kinked, trapped behind the machine or pushed too far into the standpipe
Run a short drain or spin cycle after those checks to see whether the code comes straight back

Common questions about Whirlpool F00

What does F00 mean on a Whirlpool washing machine?

The control board can't switch the drain pump on properly, so the machine stops rather than trying to empty itself. On the AWO/D and AWD series, F00 points at the triac — the switching device on the main control board that feeds power to the drain pump. The machine has spotted that this circuit isn't behaving as it should, so it halts the programme, usually leaving water sitting in the drum. It isn't telling you the pump is blocked; it's telling you the electronics driving the pump are at fault, though a seized or failed pump can be what damaged the triac in the first place.

Can I fix Whirlpool F00 myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then back on — occasionally the code is a one-off and won't return.
Clean the pump filter at the front bottom of the machine and clear anything caught in it (have a shallow tray and towels ready, there will be water).
Check the drain hose isn't kinked, trapped behind the machine or pushed too far into the standpipe.
Run a short drain or spin cycle after those checks to see whether the code comes straight back.

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.

How much does it cost to repair Whirlpool F00?

£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Tried the checks and it's still showing F00?

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. Then it wants someone who can open it up.

What it costs, before you call: the price is the same whatever the fault turns out to be — £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Our own engineers, not a call centre. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire — most washing machine faults are seen same day or next day.

Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need

Outside our area? The explanation above still stands — take it to a local engineer and tell them the code. Knowing it saves them time and you money.

Other Whirlpool washing machine codes

All Whirlpool fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

Repairs we cover near you

Written by the engineers at ASAP Repairs, 0115 648 0929. We repair these machines for a living in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

Whirlpool F00 error — washing machine