Whirlpool dishwashers are a must for homeowners who value peace and quiet in their kitchens. They might not make a lot of noise but they sure can get a lot of work done!
That is until you run into an E2/F2 error code and suddenly find that your appliance refuses to operate.
But as frustrating and confusing as this error might be, it;’s not the end of your dishwasher yet — so don’t worry! This article will help you crack down on what’s causing this issue and present you with various fixes you can try.
Let’s get right down to it.
What does a Whirlpool Dishwasher E2/F2 error code mean?
When your Whirlpool dishwasher gives you an error code E2/F2, this means that communication to the appliance’s main control board has been interrupted.
A malfunctioning user interface, faulty wiring, or power connection issues could cause this issue.
Your Whirlpool dishwasher’s main control board functions similarly to a computer’s CPU or a laptop’s processor. It operates a central unit for giving out and processing commands to keep the appliance going.
As such, it can run into errors now and then, especially if its connection gets disrupted or if the control board gets overwhelmed with too many commands at a time.
In this case, you’d first need to reset the appliance by doing the following:
- Step 1: Unplug your Whirlpool dishwasher or cut its power off at its circuit breaker for at least a minute.
- Step 2: After 60 seconds, turn your dishwasher back on and let it sit for another minute. If the error code was a glitch, no other errors should appear within the next minute.
But if your Whirlpool dishwasher starts flashing F1/E2 after the reset, it needs some troubleshooting.
Resetting the appliance flushes out all kinds of glitches. But if the method sends back the same error, don’t panic just yet — there are still plenty of ways to resolve the issue!
From electrical faults to technical malfunctions, we’ve listed the most common reasons why you’re getting this error, along with how you can fix them, so be sure to keep on reading below!
Common Causes of an E2/F2 Error And How To Fix Them
An E2/F2 error in a Whirlpool dishwasher points to a communication error between its user panel and the main control board. Depending on the root issue, you’ll have to detach panels and inspect wires.
If you’re familiar with using the equipment in your toolbox, repairs might be easy and simple for you. But if you’re not confident in your technical knowledge, your best option is to call for professional help.
| Cause | Solution |
| The dishwasher isn’t receiving enough power. | • Verify the required voltage for your Whirlpool dishwasher. • Make sure that the appliance is plugged directly into an outlet. • Avoid using an extension or adapter as much as possible. |
| The wiring harnesses are damaged or corroded. | • Unplug your dishwasher or cut it off at its power source. • Open the dishwasher door and unthread the screws around its door panel to separate the inner and outer panels. • Undo the latch on the control board housing and use a flathead screwdriver to pry the housing out. • Support the housing by securing it to the indoor door panel using a wire tie. Afterward, remove the outer door panel. • Inspect the wires connected to the control board and its housing. • Replace damaged wires. |
| The interface control panel is malfunctioning. | • Unplug your dishwasher or cut it off at its power source. • Open the dishwasher door and remove the screws around its door panel. • Move the latch on the control board housing out of the way. Afterward, use a flathead screwdriver to pry the housing out and secure it to the indoor door panel using a wire tie to reduce strain on its wires. • Remove the retaining clips connecting the interface panel to the outer door panel. • Do the same for the tabs securing the interface panel to the door. • Using a flathead screwdriver, remove the buttons, light bar, and door handle from the old interface panel. • Remove the remaining retaining latch on the old panel, too, using a Torx screwdriver. • Transfer these components to the new interface panel, then install the new panel to the door. |
| The main electric control board is faulty. | • Ensure that no other part of your Whirlpool dishwasher is causing the E2/F2 error. • If the control board needs to be replaced, take the appliance to a service center. |
The dishwasher isn’t receiving enough power.
You might think that your month-old or year-old Whirlpool dishwasher would be safe from simple power failures, but you could be wrong. Issues with power supply can get to your appliance no matter how long you’ve had it.
If you’ve recently gotten a renovation in your kitchen and have changed where you plug the dishwasher in, you might want to double back on that decision for a while.
Whirlpool dishwashers require a certain amount of voltage to function. This voltage requirement could go unfulfilled if you plug the appliance into an extension or if you use an adapter.
Moreover, leaving the appliance plugged in during an outage can cause power to surge into it once the electricity returns. Frequent power surges like this could cause your appliance’s power cord to wear down or trip its circuit breaker.
In cases like this, you might be able to turn on the appliance but it will have limited functionality, resulting in the F2/E2 error.
Solution: Consult your user manual for the required voltage that your Whirlpool dishwasher needs.
Plug the appliance directly into an outlet. Avoid using an adapter or connecting it to an extension cord, especially if it has to share the cord with other devices.
Ensure also that you unplug your dishwasher during a power outage to avoid a power surge. Double-check the circuit breaker to see if the outage has tripped it.
If you find any damage to the power cord itself, take the appliance to service immediately.
The wiring harnesses are damaged or corroded.
The part of your Whirlpool dishwasher that displays its current settings is known as the control or interface panel, and it’s connected to the rest of the appliance body via a set of wire harnesses.
These wires could be significantly damaged due to leaks in the appliance — which can lead to corrosion — or frequent power outages — which can lead to burnt lines. They could also wear down as your dishwasher ages.
When these wires get damaged, communication between the interface panel and the main control board can be compromised. In the worst-case scenario, commands from the interface panel won’t be relayed to the main control board at all.
Solution: Inspect the wire harness in the interface panel for any damages. To do this, you’ll need a T15 Torx screwdriver to open the inner door panel of your appliance.
Then, you can access the interface panel by doing the following:
- Step 1: Unplug your Whirlpool dishwasher or cut it off at its power supply. Make sure to turn off its water supply as well for good measure.
- Step 2: Open the dishwasher door and, using a T15 Torx screwdriver, undo the screws around the door panel.
Once all the screws are removed, carefully separate the inner and outer door panels.
- Step 3: As you separate the door panels, you’ll notice the control board housing secured via a retaining latch towards the right side of the panel.
Move this latch out of the way, then use a flathead screwdriver to pry the mounting brackets around the control board housing and release it.
- Step 4: Support the control board housing by securing it to the inner door panel using a wire tie. This will reduce the strain on the wire harnesses as you inspect them.
- Step 5: With the control board housing held up, you can now lift and remove the outer door panel.
Set the panel aside and inspect the wire harnesses for any damages or loose connections.
Loose wires can be reattached, but damaged wires — especially ones that are burnt — need to be replaced immediately.
Quick Tip:
1. Some of the wire harnesses connected to your dishwasher’s control board are protected and secured by a connector box. You can find this towards the bottom part of the control board.
2. Don’t forget to inspect this part for damages as well. If it’s missing or broken, it might compromise the efficiency of the wires around the board.
3. If you find it damaged, replace it immediately.
The interface control panel is malfunctioning.
As previously mentioned, the interface control panel is the part of your Whirlpool dishwasher that lets you input your settings in the appliance.
When you press the buttons on the display, the interface panel sends these commands to the main control board to be processed.
Once the control board receives them, it signals the components that have to be involved — such as the heaters, the spray bar, and the like.
A damaged interface panel won’t be able to send or receive commands from the main control board, and will continuously display the E2/F2 error.
Similar to the wire harnesses, this part of your dishwasher can be damaged due to corrosion caused by internal leaks, power surges, or other physical damage to the panel.
When this part gets damaged, it needs to be replaced.
Solution: Replacing the interface panel requires the same steps as inspecting the wire harnesses connecting it to the main control board.
To reiterate, here’s what you have to do:
- Step 1: Unplug your Whirlpool dishwasher or turn it off at its power supply. Shut off its water supply as well.
- Step 2: Open the dishwasher door. Then, undo the screws around the door panel using a T15 Torx screwdriver.
Afterward, separate the inner and outer door panels.
- Step 3: Move the control board housing latch out of the way and use a flathead screwdriver to pry the mounting brackets around it.
Once removed, release the control board housing.
- Step 4: Secure the control board housing to the inner door panel using a wire tie. Then, lift up the outer door panel and remove it.
- Step 5: Use a flathead screwdriver to detach the retaining clips connecting the interface panel to the door panel.
- Step 6: With the same flathead screwdriver, depress the tabs securing the interface panel in place.
Afterward, pull the panel away to remove it.
- Step 7: Carefully remove the buttons, light bar, retaining latch, and door handle from the old interface panel and transfer them to the new one.
You can remove the buttons, light bar, and door handle using a flathead screwdriver, while you’ll need a Torx screwdriver for the retaining latch.
- Step 8: Once all the components are in place, position the new interface panel into the outer door panel. Secure it in place using the retaining clips you removed earlier.
- Step 9: Align the outer door panel on the hinges, then reinsert the control board housing on the right side of the outer door panel.
Secure it by rotating the retaining latch down.
- Step 10: Join the inner and outdoor panels together, then reinstall the screws around it — and you’re done!
You can now test out your new interface panel.
Quick Tip:
1. Interface panels will vary based on the model of Whirlpool dishwashers.
2. Make sure to consult your user manual for compatibility before purchasing or installing a new panel.
The main electric control board is faulty.
The main electric control board of your Whirlpool dishwasher functions as the brain of the entire appliance. It receives commands from different components and sends signals to other components to keep the appliance and its settings going.
If replacing the interface panel still brings up the same E2/F2 error, it’s worth looking into the component on the other end of this communication error — which would be the main electric control board.
However, the main electric control board isn’t a component that could easily get damaged. As the brain of your dishwasher, which is responsible for processing multiple commands at once, this part of the appliance is built to endure most physical stresses.
When your main electric control board fails, the likeliest culprit might be frequent power surges, which could burn or melt the wires on it. This issue is also typically accompanied by a faint burning smell.
Furthermore, the main electric control board cannot be repaired — only replaced.
Solution: Make sure to rule out all other root issues first before replacing the main electric control board.
Once you’ve confirmed that none of the other components are causing the E2/F2 error, replacing the main electric control board will require a professional’s help. If you need to replace this part, don’t hesitate to call for service.
An E2/F2 error can be one of the most frustrating errors your Whirlpool dishwasher might signal. It basically renders your appliance unusable until it’s resolved, and repairs aren’t quick either.
Hopefully, reading through this article has simplified a couple of things for you. Just as any other errors you might run into, the most effective way to remedy this situation is to identify the root cause.
Luckily, an E2/F2 error points to very specific components that are interconnected, so you won’t have to look far and wide for the parts you need to troubleshoot.
Moreover, we hope we didn’t only give you solutions to the issue but tips to prevent it from happening again as well.
