Whirlpool is one of the most respected kitchenware brands on the market. But while they make performance optimized microwaves, even the best model in their collection can run into errors. So let’s look at Whirlpool microwave error codes in this guide.
The most common Whirlpool microwave error codes include F1E4, F2, F, F6, F3H, F6E8, and door error. For example, the F1E4 means you have a faulty main control board, which you should first diagnose before replacing with a new one.
The goal of this guide is simple:
I will help you to understand what each of these error codes mean. I will also show you how you can fix them fast.
Let’s get started.
Whirlpool Microwave Error Codes (7 Common Errors and Fixes)
The table below is a summary of the most common Whirlpool microwave error codes as well as how to fix them.
| Error Codes | What The Code Means | How to Fix Error |
| Open/ Close Door | Closed the door, entered a command but failed to press start | Open and close the door then press start. |
| F1E4 | Faulty main control board or the wiring on the board | Check the wiring or change the main board. |
| F2 | Faulty control pad, conventional, or membrane | Replace the control pad, convection, or membrane |
| F3 | Prolonged press on a button or buttons on the control panel | Clear the obstruction or replace the touchpad. |
| F6 | Whirlpool microwave has issues with its relay | Replace the relay or the main control board |
| F3H | The unit has a problem with its humidity sensor | Consider replacing the humidity sensor |
| F6E8 | The appliance detects a heating problem | Change the heater |
Let us now look at each of these errors in-depth.
1. Door Open/ Close Error Code
If you see the door open/close error code on your Whirlpool microwave’s display, it means you closed the door and entered a command but failed to press the start button for cooking to start.
To fix this issue:
Open and close the door, then press start. If the error persists, do a hard microwave reset by unplugging the code from power for about two to five minutes. A hard reset will fix software glitches, clear the errors, and refresh the unit for use.
2. Error Code F2
The F2 error code on a Whirlpool microwave display could mean the unit is overheating, the control pad is defective, or there are temperature and convention issues.
Defective Control Pad
If the control pad is the issue, try resolving it by resetting the microwave to clear errors on the unit.
- Press Start/Cancel.
- Choose a different mode.
- Press Start to launch the mode you just selected.
If the error persists, press Stop/Cancel once more and disconnect the microwave from power. Then, wait for about 5 minutes for the unit to reset and clear errors that may be causing the unit to fail.
If the code still appears after this, it means the touchpad is defective and requires replacement. To replace the touchpad:
- Unplug the power code to avoid electrocution, unthread the screws securing the grid, and pull the grid forward from the top to remove.
- Open the microwave’s door, unthread the mounting screws holding the control pad or panel, and lift the control panel to detach.
- Disconnect the wires on the touchpad, free the hinge tab from the front panel, and unthread the screws holding the washer and grounding wire.
- Place the control panel on a sturdy surface and free the ribbon connector.
- Unthread the two screws securing the main control board and housing the control panel, press the retaining tabs and pull the housing out.
- Prepare the new touchpad for installation by removing all the protective covers, align the control board into the new panel and snap it into place, and thread the two screws to secure the main control board to the new touchpad.
- Reconnect the ribbon connector, attach the grounding wire to the washer and screw, and insert the hinge tab into the front panel and reconnect the remaining wire to the appropriate slots on the main control board.
Once you attach the control panel tabs to the front panel slot and pushed down the panel, thread the mounting screws to secure the main control board, and then have the grill realigned and snapped into place.
With the repair complete plug, the cord is back to power and the new control panel should be ready for use.
Temperature or Convection Issues
The other possible reason why your Whirlpool microwave shows the F2 error code is that it has a convection issue. To fix this issue:
Unplug the microwave out of power.
With the help of a multimeter, check the input supply on the convection heater.
If the input supply is not available on the heater, it means the control panel is defective. You will need to replace the old control board with a new control board.
In case the convection is okay and the heater is not working, there is a problem with the water heater, which you will need to replace.
3. Error Code F3
The F3 error code means the unit detects a key has been pressed for more than 1 minute.
Fortunately, the F3 error is easy to fix. You only need to clear anything that gets the buttons stuck. If you notice that the buttons wore out, replace the control panel.
4. Error Code F1E4
Do you see the F1E4 error on your Whirlpool microwave’s display? It means you’re dealing with a power supply problem associated with the main control board. It’s also possible that there’s a wiring problem to the main control board.
- First, power reset the appliance by unplugging it from power.
- Wait for about 60 seconds for the reset to take place.
- Plug the unit back to power and check whether the code still appears on the screen.
If you still see the error, you will need to access the main control board and check whether the wires are intact on the board. Also, make sure there are no cut wires.
If wires are okay then it means the main control board is faulty. Should this be the case, replace the main control board with a new one.
To do this:
- Unplug the power cord from the power outlet.
- Unthread the screws securing the grill and pull the grill forward to remove it.
- Open the microwave door, unthread the screw holding the control panel, and lift the control panel to detach.
I recommend that you take a photo or note the orientation of the wires on the main control board. That way, you’ll have an easy time to fix the orientation even if you’re not a technical person.
- Disconnect the wires from the main control board, free the hinge tab from the panel by removing the screw and washer holding the grounding wire, and take out the control board and release the ribbon connector.
- Unthread the screws holding the control board, remove the faulty main control board and prepare the new main board for installation by removing the protective cover from the display.
- Position the control board in the touchpad housing and thread the mounting screws to secure it.
- Connect the ribbon connector.
- With the grounding wire secured with screws and washer, insert the hinge tab into the front panel, and connect the remaining wires to the appropriate terminals on the new main control board.
- Secure the control panel tabs into the front panel slots and push it down.
- Re-thread the mounting screws to secure, realign the grill and snap it into place then replace the screws to secure it, and plug the power cord back in and the new control board should be ready to use.
5. Error Code F6
If you see the error code F6 on your Whirlpool microwave screen, it means the unit has a problem with its relay.
You have to check the relay wiring for shorts. If the relay wiring is in good condition, the problem could be the replay itself.
If the relay is defective, the best thing to do is to replace it with a new one.
Unfortunately, replacing the replay requires skills and some elbow grease. You will need a multimeter, a rework machine, solder, and the soldering gun.
If you don’t like the hassle involved in replacing the relay, you should replace the main control board with a new one.
6. Error Code F6E8
The F6E8 error code will appear on your Whirlpool microwave’s display if the appliance detects a heating problem.
The first thing you do is unplug the microwave from power and wait for five minutes. Then, plug the unit back into power to see if the error is gone.
If the error still appears on the screen, open the microwave and remove the fuse. With a multimeter, test the fuse for continuity. Replace the fuse if it doesn’t have continuity and then turn on the microwave to check if the error is gone.
If the error persists, check the door switch. If the door switch is bad, the microwave won’t know when the door closes or opens. If after replacing the door switch microwave doesn’t display the code, it means the switch was the problem.
7. Error Code F3H
If you see code F3H on your Whirlpool microwave’s display, it means the unit has a problem with its humidity sensor.
The humidity sensor might be out of range, not connected, or defective.
If the sensor is out of range, get it back in range.
If the humidity sensor is defective, replace it.
- Unthread the screws securing the microwave on the kitchen cabinet, and, as you do this, ensure someone supports the unit so that it doesn’t fall.
- Carefully pull the microwave from the kitchen cabinet and place it on a sturdy surface.
- Unthread the screws securing the bottom panel, disconnect the wires connecting to the turntable motor, and unhook the wires from the retainer.
- Disconnect the wire connector to detach the bottom panel.
- Unthread the three screws securing the top grill and the rare of the cabinet, and remove the screws holding the blower cover and the remaining screws and lift off the cabinet.
- Release the potentially stored electrical charges in the capacitors to avoid injuries. You can do this by short-circuiting thing the capacitor using an insulated screwdriver.
- Unthread the screws holding the blower assembly and have it out of the way.
Note the orientation of the blower assembly then lift the assembly out then disconnect the wire connector and the door wire connector.
- Unthread the control board cover mounting screw, detach the cover, and disconnect the humidity sensor’s wire connector from the control board.
- Detach the power cord and pull the housing forward, unhook the humidity wire sensor from the wire retainers and blower housing.
- Unthread the humidity sensor mounting screws, remove the faulty humidity sensor, and install the new humidity sensor.
- Connect the humidity wire sensor to the main control board, replace the control board cover, the access cover, and the left-side air housing, and secure with screws where necessary.
- Reconnect the door wire connector. Re-thread the front screws to secure the blower housing.
- Reposition the cabinet and thread the right-side screws. Reposition the air cover and secure it with screws. The screws hold the rear of the cabinet.
- Align the grill, snap it into position and thread its screws to hold.
- Fix back the bottom panel by connecting the wire connector and hooking the wires in the retainer then connect the turntable wires.
- Fully reposition the bottom panel and re-thread all the screws to secure.
With the help of someone else at home, reposition the microwave on the mounting bracket and secure the mounting bolts to hold the microwave firmly on the kitchen cabinet.
Related Reading
- 5 Whirlpool Microwave Door Errors and How to Fix Them
- So Your Whirlpool Microwave Won’t Turn Off? Let’s Fix It
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Do I Reset My Whirlpool Microwave?
You can reset your Whirlpool microwave by pressing the “Off/Clear” button. Doing so will cancel the current settings and reset the unit.
2. How can I contact a customer care specialist for assistance?
To contact a customer care specialist for assistance, you have several options available. Our trained team is available round the clock, ready to answer your inquiries and help you get back on track. You can start a live chat with one of our customer care specialists, who will be there to assist you and address any problems you may have. Additionally, you can simply call our dedicated helpline at 1-800-269-2609 to connect with a customer care specialist who can provide further assistance. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us via live chat or phone for any support you need.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide has helped you to learn more about the most common Whirlpool dishwasher error codes as well as how to fix. You can bookmark this page for reference if you ever ran into error codes again.