Say Goodbye to a Maytag Washer E2 F6 Error With This Permanent Fix

Sometimes, we feel like throwing in the towel whenever an E2 F6 error code appears on our Maytag washer, leaving it up to the handyman to fix. But then, we remember how easy it is to troubleshoot.

It’s so easy that you can take matters into your own hands with nothing but a few tools and a solid guide to walk you through the steps. Even with very little experience, it will cost you much less to repair but it will be much faster.

If you don’t want to wait for your laundry to pile up, here’s a quick guide to help you identify the underlying cause of your Maytag washer’s E2 F6 error. We’ll also show you a permanent solution to prevent it from recurring.

What is an E2 F6 error code on a Maytag Washer?

An E2 F6 error code on a Maytag washer indicates a communication error between the main control board and the user interface control panel. 

One of the tell-tale signs is a non-responsive control panel, which prevents you from running a cycle.

Before making any repairs to your Maytag washer, try resetting it to clear the code. Just unplug the power button or turn it off at the circuit breaker for a minute or two.

Then, simply reconnect your washer to its power source and check if the E2 F6 error code recurs. If it does, keep reading our guide to learn how to identify other possible causes.

Causes and Solutions

Dirty electrical contacts in a control board are common culprits behind the E2 F6 error on a Maytag washer. Cleaning it with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol should fix it.

If it doesn’t, check the user interface control panel and control board for continuity to identify which component is defective.

Let’s take a closer at what’s causing the E2 F6 error code on your Maytag washer. 

Causes	Solutions
Dirty Control Board	Unplug the washer’s power cord. Turn off the water supply, then disconnect both inlet hoses. Move the washer away from the wall and turn it around to access the back panel. Use a ¼” nut driver to remove the bolts mounting the top panel. Push the control panel back, then slip a putty knife underneath the housing in one corner of the washer until it pries open. Repeat the same step in the opposite corner of the panel.  Flip the control panel forward. Next, make sure the wire connector from the main control board to the panel is connected properly. Inspect the electrical contacts for dust and grime. Put rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab, then use it to wipe the contacts clean. Brush a layer of acrylic conformal coating over the electrical contacts to protect them from damage. Let it dry for 10 to 20 minutes. Align the tabs on the control panel with the slots on the washer. Push down until they snap into place. Reinstall the screws on the rear panel. Then, plug in the power cord.  Without turning on the washer, press the Temperature, Soil Level, and Spin Speed buttons one at a time. Repeat this two more times in the same order. After doing this, the control panel will light up and flash 888 on the display. Then, it will display the E2 F6 error code. Push the Spin Speed button for three seconds to clear the code. Press the Power button to turn it off.
Defective Main Control Board	Disconnect your washer from its power source. Turn off the water supply, then disconnect both inlet hoses. Carefully pull the washer away from the wall to access the back panel. Unfasten the bolts mounting the panel using a ¼” nut driver.  Pry the front control panel housing open with a flathead screwdriver. Then, unplug the wire harness and set the control panel aside.  Take a photo of the wires connected to the main control board. Refer to it during the reassembly process. Pull out the switch wire connectors and power wire on the control board. Next, remove the bracket and retainer using a flathead screwdriver. Disconnect the air pressure tube. Remove the screws securing the control board using a ¼” nut driver. Next, detach the center knob and remove the control board. Get your new control board and transfer the wire retaining bracket from the old assembly to the new one. Align the control board with the slots on the panel. Reinstall the screws securing the board and reattach the control knob. Use your reference photo to reconnect all the wires to the correct terminals on the control board. Secure the wires on the bracket and retainer. Then, reattach the air pressure tube. Align the control panel with the rear panel and push down until it snaps into place. After, reinstall the screws on the panel to keep it secure. Reconnect all the hoses. Turn on the water supply and restore power to the washer.
Faulty User Interface Control Panel	Disconnect your washer from power. Then, unplug the inlet and drain hoses. Carefully move the washer away from the wall to access the back panel. Use a ¼” nut driver to unfasten the screws on the small metal plate behind the washer, then set them aside. After, remove the remaining screws on the UI panel. Tape the lid shut to the main top. Pull the washer’s main top toward the front. Gently lift it, push it back, and raise it. Use Channellock pliers to squeeze the clips on both sides of the washer to release the UI panel. Lift the UI panel and unplug the wires that connect it to the control board. Get your new UI panel. Plug in the wire harnesses to the panel and the control board. Install the new panel on the washer’s main top. Reattach the screws to secure the panel. Reconnect all the hoses, and turn on the water supply. Plug the power cord and turn on the washer. Finally, run a test cycle to check if it responds to your commands.

Dirty Control Board

One of the first things you need to check is the connection from the control board to the control panel. Located just underneath the panel, you’ll see a small area with electrical contacts, which connect or disconnect circuit segments in an electrical system.

Due to the moisture and steam from your washer, grime can build up on these contacts, causing a miscommunication error between the main control board and the panel. 

Sometimes, all you need to do is clean it up to resolve the error and get your washer back up and running. And with a little bit of acrylic conformal coating, you should be able to stop the error from recurring.

What you’ll need:

• Cotton swabs
• Alcohol
• ¼” nut driver
• Putty knife
• Acrylic conformal coating

Solution:

• Step 1: Unplug the washer’s power cord.
• Step 2: Turn off the water supply, then disconnect both inlet hoses.
• Step 3: Move the washer away from the wall and turn it around to access the back panel.
• Step 4: Use a ¼” nut driver to remove the bolts mounting the top panel.
• Step 5: Push the control panel back, then slip a putty knife underneath the housing in one corner of the washer until it pries open.
• Step 6: Repeat the same step in the opposite corner of the panel. 
• Step 7: Flip the control panel forward. Next, make sure the wire connector from the main control board to the panel is connected properly.
• Step 8: Inspect the electrical contacts for dust and grime. Put rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab, then use it to wipe the contacts clean.
• Step 9: Brush the acrylic conformal coating over the electrical contacts to protect them from damage permanently. Let it dry for 10 to 20 minutes.
• Step 10: Align the tabs on the control panel with the slots on the washer. Push down until they snap into place.
• Step 11: Reinstall the screws on the rear panel.
• Step 12: Plug in the power cord. 
• Step 13: Without turning on the washer, press the Temperature, Soil Level, and Spin Speed buttons one at a time. Repeat this two more times in the same order.

After doing this, the control panel will light up and flash 888 on the display. Then, it will display the E2 F6 error code.

• Step 14: Push the Spin Speed button for three seconds to clear the code.
• Step 15: Press the Power button to turn it off. 
• Step 16: Turn on the washer and check if the error code disappears.

Defective Main Control Board

If cleaning the electrical contacts of the main control board won’t do the trick, you should inspect the component for possible damage. The best way to do this is through a continuity test using a multimeter.

A defective main control board can’t be repaired anymore. However, you can opt to replace it yourself to save hundreds of dollars.

Take note that this component doesn’t come cheap. It can easily go over $300+ depending on your washer’s model.

What you’ll need:

• Flathead screwdriver
• ¼” nut driver
• Pliers
• Multimeter
• New main control board

Solution: Remove the main control board and test it for continuity to confirm that it is defective and requires replacement. Just follow the steps below:

• Step 1: Unplug the washer or turn off the power at the circuit breaker.
• Step 2: Turn off the water supply, then disconnect both inlet hoses.
• Step 3: Move the washer away from the wall and turn it around to access the back panel.
• Step 4: Use a ¼” nut driver to remove the bolts mounting the panel.
• Step 5: Insert the flathead screwdriver under the front control panel housing, then pry it open.
• Step 6: Disconnect the wire harness and set the control panel aside.
• Step 7: Take a photo of the wires connected to the main control board. Use it as a reference for the reassembly process.
• Step 8: Disconnect the switch wire connectors on the control board, including the power wire. Then, use a flathead screwdriver to release the bracket and retainer.
• Step 9: Detach the air pressure tube.
• Step 10: Use a ¼” nut driver to unfasten the screws securing the control board.
• Step 11: Remove the center knob, then lift the control board to isolate it from the washer.
• Step 12: Check the control board for burns and discoloration, which are tell-tale signs of damage.
• Step 13: Get a multimeter and test the pump for continuity. Rotate the dial to the Continuity Test mode.
• Step 14: Place each probe on each side of the fuse on the control board.

If the multimeter shows 12  it means that the fuse is good and the control board is functioning well. However, if you hear nothing, the fuse is defective, which means that the control board needs replacement.

To replace the main control board of a top-load Maytag washer, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug the washer or turn off the power at the circuit breaker.
• Step 2: Turn off the water supply, then disconnect both inlet hoses.
• Step 3: Move the washer away from the wall and turn it around to access the back panel.
• Step 4: Use a ¼” nut driver to remove the bolts mounting the panel.
• Step 5: Insert the flathead screwdriver under the front control panel housing, then pry it open.
• Step 6: Disconnect the wire harness and set the control panel aside.
• Step 7: Take a photo of the wires connected to the main control board. Use it as a reference for the reassembly process.
• Step 8: Disconnect the switch wire connectors on the control board, including the power wire. Then, use a flathead screwdriver to release the bracket and retainer.
• Step 9: Detach the air pressure tube.
• Step 10: Use a ¼” nut driver to unfasten the screws securing the control board.
• Step 11: Remove the center knob, then lift the faulty control board to remove it from the panel.
• Step 12: Get your new control board. Before installing it, transfer the wire retaining bracket from the old assembly to the new one.
• Step 13: Align the control board with the slots on the panel. 
• Step 14: Reinstall the screws to secure the board. Then, return the center control knob.
• Step 15: Plug in all the wire connectors to the correct terminals on the new control board. Use your photo for reference.
• Step 16: Secure the wires on the bracket and retainer.
• Step 17: Reattach the air pressure tube.
• Step 18: Align the control panel with the rear panel, then push down until it snaps into place.
• Step 19: Reinstall the screws on the rear panel.
• Step 20: Reconnect all the hoses.
• Step 21: Turn on the water supply and restore power to the washer.
• Step 22: Run a test cycle to confirm that the washer drains properly.

Faulty User Interface Control Panel

What you’ll need:

• Tape
• ¼” nut driver
• Multimeter
• Channellock pliers
• New UI Panel

Solution: First, isolate the Maytag washer’s control panel from the washer and test it for continuity using a multimeter. If it lacks continuity, follow the steps below to replace the component with a new one.

• Step 1: Unplug the power cord and turn off the water supply to the washer.
• Step 2: Disconnect the drain and inlet hoses.
• Step 3: Carefully move the washer away from the wall to access the back panel.
• Step 4: Use a ¼” nut driver to remove the bolts on the small metal plate behind the washer. Then, set it aside.
• Step 5: Unfasten the remaining screws on the UI panel.
• Step 6: Tape the lid shut to the main top.
• Step 7: Pull the washer’s main top toward the front. Gently lift then push it back before raising it up.
• Step 8: Use Channellock pliers to squeeze the clips on both sides of the washer to release the UI panel.
• Step 9: Lift up the UI panel. Unplug the wire connectors from the panel to the main control board.
• Step 10: Flip the UI panel over and inspect the area around the terminal for dirt. If needed, gently wipe it clean using a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.

Reconnect the wires to check if the panel lights up and turns on. If the panel doesn’t light up, you most likely need a replacement.

Another way to confirm that it is damaged is through a continuity test.

• Step 11: Get your multimeter and select the lowest setting for ohms of resistance.
• Step 12: Touch each probe to a terminal on the connector. Then, repeat the step for the other connector. 

If the multimeter shows no change, the UI panel lacks continuity and requires replacement.

To replace a defective user interface panel on a Maytag washer, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug the power cord and turn off the water supply to the washer.
• Step 2: Disconnect the hot and cold inlet hoses. Then, unplug the drain hose.
• Step 3: Carefully move the washer away from the wall to access the back panel.
• Step 4: Use a ¼” nut driver to unfasten the screws on the small metal plate behind the washer. Then, set them aside.
• Step 5: Remove the remaining screws on the UI panel.
• Step 6: Tape the lid shut to the main top.
• Step 7: Pull the washer’s main top toward the front. Gently lift it, push it back, and raise it.
• Step 8: Use Channellock pliers to squeeze the clips on both sides of the washer to release the UI panel.
• Step 9: Lift the UI panel and unplug the wires that connect it to the control board.
• Step 10: Get your new UI panel. Plug in the wire harnesses to the panel and the control board.
• Step 11: Install the new panel on the washer’s main top.
• Step 12: Reattach the screws to secure the panel.
• Step 13: Reconnect all the hoses and turn on the water supply.
• Step 14:. Plug the power cord and turn on the washer.
• Step 15: Run a test cycle to check if it responds to your commands.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to replace a washer control board?

You can expect to spend anywhere from $100 to $300+ for a new washing machine control board. If you request professional services to do the replacement, it will cost about $200+ more.

However, if you perform the fix yourself, you can save hundreds of dollars. Although it’s difficult, it’s not impossible, especially with our repair guide to walk you through all the steps.

Is it better to replace or repair your washing machine?

In many cases, it’s better to repair your washing machine, especially if it’s relatively new and covered by a good warranty. If your unit is an old one, you should consider getting a replacement.

Some components like the user interface control panel and the control board are expensive to replace. Depending on your unit, these components can cost as much as a new entry-level washer. 

Thus, in such cases, it’s better to replace your washer.