Washing our dirty laundry doesn’t always go smoothly. Sometimes, our washers would malfunction and show an error without explanation, like the LF error code!
We know that something is wrong with our Maytag washer when we see LF flashing on the screen, but what does it mean and how do we deal with it?
What does LF mean on my Maytag washer?
Maytag washer’s LF error code means the washing machine is taking too long to fill with water.
The code will show up when no water is entering the tub or if it takes more than 13 minutes to fill.
There are various reasons for this water supply issue, so we’re going to explore the causes and solutions here!
How to Fix a Maytag Washer’s LF Error Code
The LF code indicates a water supply issue that is caused by restricted water flow from kinked hoses, water inlet valve failure, broken pressure switch, or incorrect drain pipe installation.
Learn more about how these problems happen and how to fix them quickly.
| Cause | Solution |
| Kinked water supply hose | • Turn your washer off and unplug it from the power source. • Switch off the water supply faucet to avoid leaking. • Locate your washer’s water supply hose and check if it’s kinked, knotted, or trapped under an object. • If the hose is in any position that restricts water flow, straighten it out. • Remove any objects that the hose could get snagged on. • Switch on the water supply faucet. Then plug in your washer and turn it on. |
| Malfunctioning water inlet valve | • Disconnect your washer from the power source. • Turn off your water supply to avoid any leaks. • Next, disconnect your water supply hose from the inlet valves behind your washer. • With the help of a putty knife, lift your Maytag washer’s top panel to remove it. • Remove the screw securing the valve at the back of your washer using a screwdriver. • Push the inlet valve to unmount it from the washer. • Take note of the position of the wires connected to the valve then pull them off. • Next, disconnect the water inlet valve from the washer’s hose. • To test the valve, get a multimeter. Set the multimeter to the lowest ohms resistance setting. • Put the multimeter’s probes against the water inlet valve’s terminals. • The multimeter reading should be around 500 to 1500 ohms. • If the multimeter reading is not between 500 and 1500, your water inlet valve must be replaced. • To install your new inlet valve, connect the washer’s hose first. • Next, connect the wires to their respective positions. • Place the new valve into its slot at the back of the washer. Screw it in place with your screwdriver. Connect the water supply hose from outside the washer to your new inlet valve. • Switch your water supply on and plug in your washer. Turn the washer on. |
| Broken pressure switch | • First, unplug your Maytag washer from the power outlet. • Remove the screws located on the back of the washer’s control panel. • Lift and take off the cover of the control panel with the help of a putty knife. • Flip the control panel forward to gain access to the pressure switch. • Find the pressure switch, which is a circular component with a pipe and wires attached to it. • Disconnect the hose from the pressure switch, then remove the wires connected to it. • Get a multimeter, which can be purchased at hardware stores. • Set the multimeter to the lowest ohms setting. • Place the multimeter’s two probes against the pressure switch’s terminals. • If the multimeter displays a reading of 0 ohms, this indicates that the pressure switch needs replacement. • Remove the screws securing the old pressure switch to the machine. • Uninstall the faulty pressure switch and replace it with a new one. • Secure the new pressure switch in place with screws. Then, reattach the air hose and wires to it. • Put the cover of the control panel back and screw it securely in place with the screwdriver. • Plug your washer back into the power source. |
| Incorrect drain hose position | • Switch your washer off and unplug it from the power outlet. • Turn your water supply off and disconnect the hoses attached to your washer to avoid leaks. • Next, locate your washer’s drain hose at the bottom of the machine. • The drain hose is the black, ribbed, plastic hose beneath the washer. • Using a ruler or tape measure, see if the drain hose is more than 2.5 feet above the floor. • Next, check if it’s not positioned more than 8 feet high. • If it’s not between 2.5 to 8 feet high from the floor, reposition the drain hose until the measurement is correct. • After checking and correcting the placement of the hose, check its connection to the drain pipe. • The drain pipe is positioned against the wall. • The hose should not be connected too snugly to the drain pipe. • Try rotating the hose where it’s connected to the pipe. • If the fit is too tight, pull the hose off and connect it again without pushing it in all the way. • With the drain hose properly positioned, turn on your water supply faucets. • Plug in your washer and turn it on. • Select the drain program or setting to get rid of the water that it previously couldn’t drain. • After draining, turn your washer off and then on again to start a new cycle. |
H3: Kinked Water Supply Hose
A kinked water supply hose will restrict the flow of water from the supply source and into the tub. As a result, no water will enter the washer or it’ll take too long for it to fill.
If the washer takes more than 13 minutes to fill, it will trigger the LF error code. That’s why it’s important to ensure that water can freely flow into the tub.
Solution: Always make sure to turn your washer off and unplug it from the power source first to avoid any accidents.
Next, switch off the water supply faucet to prevent leaks.
Find your washer’s water supply hose connected to the back of the machine. Then check if it’s kinked, knotted, or squished under any object.
If the hose is in a position that restricts water flow, straighten it out and keep it away from any objects that could snag it.
With the hose straightened and kept away from other hazardous objects, finally switch on the water supply faucet.
Plug in your washer and switch it on.
Quick Tip:
Use a cable or a hook to keep your water supply hose neatly looped and away from the floor, preventing it from getting twisted, kinked, and squished.
Malfunctioning Water Inlet Valve
Your Maytag washer’s water inlet valve is in charge of controlling the flow of the water from the supply hose and into the tub.
A malfunctioning water inlet valve won’t be able to control the water flow and would prevent the tub from filling, resulting in an LF error code.
Solution: Disconnect your washer from the power source first then switch off your water supply faucets to avoid any leaks.
Next, pull off your water supply hose from the water inlet valve at the back of your washer.
Using a putty knife, lift and remove your Maytag washer’s top panel then set it aside.
Unfasten the screw securing the water valve to your washer using a screwdriver. Then push the inlet valve to unmount it from its slot.
Remember the position of the wires connected to the valve. Pull them off after.
Next, disconnect the water inlet valve from the washer’s inner hose to remove it completely from the machine.
Get a multimeter to test if the water inlet valve is still functioning. If you don’t have a multimeter, you can purchase one from any appliance center.
Put the multimeter to the lowest ohms setting. Place the multimeter’s probes against the water inlet valve’s terminals.
Check the multimeter reading and see if it falls around 500 to 1500 ohms.
If the multimeter reading is not between 500 and 1500, your washer’s inlet valve is broken and needs to be replaced.
You can order a new water inlet valve from Maytag’s official store. You can also purchase one from any appliance store.
Once you have the new valve, connect the washer’s hose to it first. Next, connect the wires to their respective placements.
Put the new valve into its slot at the back of the washer. Secure it in place by placing the designated screw back in with your screwdriver.
Connect the water supply hose from outside the washer to your new inlet valve. Then turn your water supply on.
Plug your washer into its power outlet. Turn the washer on.
Broken Pressure Switch
The water pressure switch detects the water level inside your washer’s tub. If the switch is broken, it will send incorrect water level measurements to the control board, which will read it as a water supply issue.
If the pressure switch is faulty, you’ll have to replace it.
Solution: Unplug your Maytag washer from the power source before disassembly.
Using a screwdriver, remove the screws of the washer’s control panel. Lift and take off the cover of the control panel with the help of a putty knife.
Once loose, flip the control panel forward to gain access to the pressure switch.
Locate the pressure switch. It is a circular component with a pipe and wires connected to it.
Pull the hose off from the pressure switch. Then take note of the wires’ positions before disconnecting them too.
Fetch your multimeter. If you don’t have one, you can purchase it from any appliance center.
Set the multimeter to the lowest ohms setting. Next, put the multimeter’s two probes against the pressure switch’s terminals.
If the multimeter reads 0 ohms, then the pressure switch is dead and must be replaced.
Place an order for a new water pressure switch from Maytag’s official store or buy directly from a local hardware store.
Remove the screws holding the old pressure switch to the machine with your screwdriver.
Unmount the damaged pressure switch and replace it with the newly purchased switch.
Secure the new pressure switch in place by fastening its screws. Reattach the air hose and wires to it.
Put the cover of the control panel back and screw it securely in place using your screwdriver.
Plug your washer back into the power source and turn it on to start a new cycle.
Incorrect Drain Hose Installation
The drain hose lets your machine get rid of the water used after a wash. If the hose is not installed correctly, then the water can’t exit the machine and will remain inside the tub.
The excess water will be detected by the washer’s sensors and will prevent you from refilling the tub again until you get rid of the water from the previous cycle.
Solution: Switch your washer off and unplug it from the power outlet.
Turn your water supply off and disconnect the hoses attached to your washer’s inlet valves to avoid leakage.
Find your washer’s drain hose at the bottom of the machine. The drain hose looks like a black, ribbed, plastic hose that’s also flexible.
Using a ruler or tape measure, check if the drain hose is more than 2.5 feet above the floor. Next, check if it’s not positioned more than 8 feet high.
If it’s not between 2.5 to 8 feet high from the floor, reposition the drain hose until the measurement is correct.
After checking and correcting the placement of the hose, check its connection to the drain pipe that’s installed against the wall.
The hose’s mouth should not be connected too snugly to the drain pipe. If the hose’s fit is too tight, it will create a suction effect instead and will not drain the water inside the washer.
To see if it’s loose enough, try rotating the hose where it’s connected to the pipe. If the connection is too tight, pull the hose off and attach it again without pushing it in all the way.
With the drain hose properly positioned and installed, turn on your water supply faucets.
Plug your washer in and turn it on. Press the drain program or setting on the control panel to drain the excess water from the previous cycle.
After draining it completely, turn your washer off and then on again to start a new cycle.
Learning the reasons behind your Maytag washer’s LF error code and the ways to fix it can really save you lots of time, energy, and even money because you can troubleshoot it on your own!
This doesn’t mean that you should close your doors to real professionals. If you want that extra guarantee and confidence, don’t hesitate to reach out to trusted washer technicians.
