Whirlpool Duet Washer Code F01 [How TO Fix]

I hate fixing Whirlpool duet washer code F01. (Motor Control Board problem)

Why?

Testing the motor control board is a nerve-racking experience. Imagine going through each tiny component: capacitor, transistor, carbon brushes, and so on to find out which part is not receiving current.

And that’s why most appliance technicians recommend buying a motor control board or a new washer instead of repairing one. As it turns out, you have two solutions for the Whirlpool duet washer code F01:

Solution #1: If you are 100% sure that the cause of the code F01 is the MCU, we recommend you get it here and fix it.

Solution #2: If you want to learn more about the code F01 on your Whirlpool duet washer, continue to read my experience and recommendation in this article.

Let’s talk about that next:

What does F01 Mean on a Whirlpool Duet Washer?

F01 code error on a Whirlpool duet washer means the motor control board (MCU) has failed. The cause for Whirlpool duet washer code F01 are three:

• Worn carbon brushes
• Power surges
• Damaged transistors

In short:

The electronic components inside the Whirlpool duet washer are responsible for code F01. The issue can be solved easily if you have a glitch or programming error. Here’s how to do it:

• Unplug the whirlpool duet washer from the power circuit and cut the water supply off.

• Wait for five minutes.
• Plug the whirlpool duet washer into the main socket and start the cycle again.

Two things will happen.

One:

The washer will work if it is a false alarm or a programming error.

Two:

If the error persists, you’ll have to look seriously at the Main Control Board (MCU) of the whirlpool duet washer. MCU is an expensive part of the Whirlpool duet washer, which may not make sense to replace if the actual problem is the drainage issue. 

Therefore, check the Whirlpool drainage system before attempting to troubleshoot and strike out any problem with the drainage pump. Here’s an article where I explain about fixing the drainage pump.

Before attempting to repair or buy a new board, you must confirm if it is a problem. You can only test to ensure that.

How To Test The Motor Control Board?

The closet you can get to inspect the circuit board are two ways:

• Checking visually
• Testing it with a multimeter

With a visual inspection, you need to check the condition of the solder joints, connectors, ICs, and capacitors. Confirm if they have signs of broken traces, burnt spots, cracked ICs, and blown capacitors.

Those indicate that the motor control board needs to be replaced ASAP.

To test the circuit board, you will need to use a multimeter. A multimeter will tell you if the board has any signs of being faulty. Testing the board is complicated. I recommend you hire an appliance technician to help you with this. The process of testing goes on like this:

First, unplug the whirlpool duet washer from the power outlet. Second,  open the control panel and find the MCU. Third, use the multimeter to test the continuity of the MCU (motor control board). Fourth, set the multimeter to the “resistance” setting and touch its probes to the board’s terminals.

Two results will come out:

• A reading of infinity shows that the motor control board needs to be replaced
• When the board registers continuity, it shows that it’s working fine.

If the board is okay, we will have to look at other parts mentioned, such as carbon brushes.

How Do You Clear the Error Code on a Whirlpool Duet Washer?

I’ve stated that three issues cause the motor control board to fail.

Issue #1: Worn-out Carbon Brushes

Worn carbon brushes will cause the motor control board (MCU) in your Whirlpool washer. These are the soft blocks of carbon that complete the electrical contact of the board’s commutator.

The brushes wear and tear with time, leaving the motor spark and electrical contact incomplete. 

In short:  

The electrical current can’t move through the carbon brushes triggering the Whirlpool duet F01 code. When the carbon brushes are worn, you’ll notice the whirlpool duet washer behaving with the following signs:

• Reduced performance- The washer will stop working well. Sometimes you may shake or bang it to work, but it may not achieve the high RPMs it used to.
• Burning smell- A worn carbon brush will emit a burning smell. Friction between worn carbon brushes produces a burning smell.
• Sparkings- Minimal sparks are common with any Whirlpool washer, but frequent large sparks are not.

Carbon brushes can’t be fixed, you can only replace them, and you can order from this website. You can check the condition of this brush if they are burnt, or you can test them using a multimeter. Follow this video to learn how to replace carbon brushes.

Issues #2: Faulty/ Damaged Transistor

The Whirlpool duet washer has a transistor that stores minimal data quantities in the control board about the selected washing cycle. 

The name of the transistor is EEPROM. When the transistor is faulty, it sends signal loss. Your washer won’t get commands triggering the whirlpool duet F01 code.

In short, the lack of communication between the transistor/EEPROM and the motor control board triggers the error. I won’t recommend you play around with your washer’s electronic device and replace the transistor. 

Unless you are a technician who knows what you are doing. The best way to solve this is to buy a new motor control board from this place. They’ll give you an original OEM part.

Issue #3: Power Surge

A power surge carries thousands of volts into your whirlpool duet washer. That’s enough to damage the motor control board. 

But that’s not even the worst part:

It can fry the board and melt its components. The power surge can cause the motor, wiring, and switches to break down, leading to the whirlpool washer F01 code. 

But that’s not all. Other components can also be damaged and stop working. The misconception of miro power surges should not fool you because it can damage your appliances.

A power surge can blow a washer’s control board. First, inspect to see if the board is damaged. If that’s the case, you must buy a new whirlpool washer control board. After investing hundreds or thousands of dollars in buying a new washer, it can only make sense that you have a power surge protector to protect the washer. The best power surge for washers that I recommend is this one because it is cheap, durable, and reliable with no delay time.

I have worked as a computer and appliance technician, so I have seen the damage done by power surges. One thing a lot of people don’t know is that it doesn’t take one big surge to kill a circuit board. Even though they won’t kill, there are always small surges that can weaken the circuit’s ability to withstand surges later.