Whirlpool F06 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 F06 actually means

The machine isn't getting any signal that the drum motor is turning, so it stops the cycle rather than carry on.

F06 is a tacho fault. A small sensor on the motor tells the control board how fast the drum is spinning; when the board asks for rotation and gets no speed reading back, it shuts the wash down and flags F06. Typically the machine fills and heats normally but the drum sits still, or it washes and then refuses to spin, leaving clothes soaking wet.

What F06 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, F06 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Machine door won't open
Door won't lock or click shut
Door lock light flashing
Door stuck shut with the load inside
Won't start even with the door closed
Not filling with water
No water going in
Takes for ever to fill

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

Worn motor carbon brushes — by far the most common cause on these machines
Faulty or dirty tachometer coil on the motor
Loose or damaged wiring plug between the motor and the control board
Failed motor
Fault on the main control board

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 power it back up and try a short cycle — an occasional one-off F06 can clear.
With the machine switched off at the wall, open the door and turn the drum by hand. It should spin freely; heavy resistance or grinding is worth mentioning when you book the repair.
Note whether you can hear the motor make any attempt to turn, or whether nothing happens at all — it saves the engineer time.

Common questions about Whirlpool F06

What does F06 mean on a Whirlpool washing machine?

The machine isn't getting any signal that the drum motor is turning, so it stops the cycle rather than carry on. F06 is a tacho fault. A small sensor on the motor tells the control board how fast the drum is spinning; when the board asks for rotation and gets no speed reading back, it shuts the wash down and flags F06. Typically the machine fills and heats normally but the drum sits still, or it washes and then refuses to spin, leaving clothes soaking wet.

Can I fix Whirlpool F06 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up and try a short cycle — an occasional one-off F06 can clear.
With the machine switched off at the wall, open the door and turn the drum by hand. It should spin freely; heavy resistance or grinding is worth mentioning when you book the repair.
Note whether you can hear the motor make any attempt to turn, or whether nothing happens at all — it saves the engineer time.

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

How much does it cost to repair Whirlpool F06?

£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 F06?

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 F06 error — washing machine