Whirlpool F11 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 F11 actually means

The two control boards inside the machine have stopped talking to each other, so the wash is halted.

Whirlpool's F11 is a communications fault. On machines with more than one circuit board — typically the main control and a separate motor control module — the boards exchange signals constantly, and when those messages stop getting through the machine shuts the cycle down. In practice the owner sees it as a machine that fills but won't turn the drum, or stops part way through with water still in it and F11 on the display.

What F11 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, F11 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
Not filling with water
No water going in
Takes for ever to fill
Stops right at the start of the cycle

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, which is what turns out to be wrong on a large share of Whirlpool no-spin faults in this group of codes
Loss of signal between the main board and the motor control board
A failed motor control module
A failed main control board (PCB)

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 socket, leave it a minute, then switch back on and try a short cycle — this clears a one-off communications glitch.
If there's water left in the drum, run a drain or spin-only programme to see whether it empties and whether the code returns straight away.
Clean the pump filter at the bottom front and check the drain hose isn't kinked, so you can rule out a simple drainage problem confusing matters.

Common questions about Whirlpool F11

What does F11 mean on a Whirlpool washing machine?

The two control boards inside the machine have stopped talking to each other, so the wash is halted. Whirlpool's F11 is a communications fault. On machines with more than one circuit board — typically the main control and a separate motor control module — the boards exchange signals constantly, and when those messages stop getting through the machine shuts the cycle down. In practice the owner sees it as a machine that fills but won't turn the drum, or stops part way through with water still in it and F11 on the display.

Can I fix Whirlpool F11 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall socket, leave it a minute, then switch back on and try a short cycle — this clears a one-off communications glitch.
If there's water left in the drum, run a drain or spin-only programme to see whether it empties and whether the code returns straight away.
Clean the pump filter at the bottom front and check the drain hose isn't kinked, so you can rule out a simple drainage problem confusing matters.

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

How much does it cost to repair Whirlpool F11?

£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 F11?

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 F11 error — washing machine