Whirlpool washing machine error code FP
Whirlpool error FP means “drain failure” – the machine timed out trying to empty the water. The first step is to determine whether water is genuinely still in the drum. If it is, the fault is in the pump or drain system. If the water has actually drained but the error still appeared, the fault is in the pressure system – the machine is not correctly detecting that the water has gone.
What Does Whirlpool Error FP Mean?
FP is a drain failure code. The machine attempted to drain and did not detect the water level falling to the expected point within the allowed time. Like most drain error codes, FP can mean one of two quite different things – which determines which fault to investigate.
Scenario A: Water is still in the drumThe drum is clearly heavy with water, the door glass shows water inside, or you can hear water sloshing. The machine genuinely failed to drain. The fault is in the pump, pump filter, or drain hose. Start with the pump filter.
Scenario B: Water appears to have drainedYou could hear the pump running and the drum sounds lighter, but the FP error still appeared. The machine drained correctly but the pressure system is not registering it – the machine still thinks water is present. The fault is in the pressure switch or pressure hose.
Diagnosing Which Fault You Have
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Check the drum for water.
Look through the door glass. Is there clearly water inside? Is the drum heavy? Could you hear water being pumped out during the cycle, or was the pump silent? These observations tell you which scenario applies.
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If you can see some water but are unsure – test without laundry.
A small amount of water visible after the cycle may simply be residual water that has not been centrifuged out by the spin rather than a drain failure. Remove the wash load and run a drain or rinse programme with an empty drum. With no laundry inside, all water should pump away fully. If it does not, the machine has a genuine pumping fault. If it does drain cleanly on an empty drum, the original water may have been normal residual moisture.
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If it is a genuine pumping fault – check the pump filter first.
The pump filter is the most common cause of a washing machine failing to drain. On most Whirlpool machines it is behind a small cover at the front bottom of the machine. Clean the filter thoroughly and check for any foreign objects. See our full guide on washing machine not draining water for further diagnosis including pump checks.
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If the machine drained but FP still appeared – check the pressure system.
The pressure switch monitors water level via a small hose connected to the outer drum. A blocked or kinked pressure hose, or a failed pressure switch, can cause the machine to believe water is still present when the drum is empty. See our guide on pressure system faults.
If the pump filter is clear and the drain hose is unobstructed but the machine still will not drain, the pump motor itself may have failed. See our guides on washing machine pump filter and not draining despite no visible blockage for further steps.
Need a Repair?
Related Guides
Washing Machine Won’t Drain WaterFull diagnosis guide for a machine that will not empty – pump filter, pump, and drain hose checks in order.
Pressure System FaultsHow the pressure system works and what happens when the switch or hose fails to register the correct water level.
Washing Machine Pump FilterHow to locate, access, and clean the pump filter – the first check for any washing machine drain fault.
Samsung Error Code 5ESamsung’s drain failure error code – same diagnostic approach applies across brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Whirlpool error code FP mean?
FP means “drain failure” – the machine tried to empty and did not detect the water level dropping to the required point. It can indicate the machine genuinely failed to drain (pump or filter fault) or that it drained correctly but the pressure system did not register it (pressure switch or hose fault).
How do I know if the machine actually drained or not?
Check the drum visually – is there water visible through the door glass and is the drum heavy? Did you hear the pump running during the drain phase? Run a drain cycle with an empty drum – if water clears cleanly the machine can drain, and the issue is either with how laundry affects the cycle or with the pressure system. If the empty drum does not drain, the fault is in the pump or drain system.
The filter is clear but the machine still shows FP – what next?
If the pump filter is clear, the drain hose is unobstructed, and the machine still fails to drain or shows FP repeatedly, consider the pump motor itself (which can fail without any visible blockage), the pressure switch or pressure hose (if the machine is actually draining but the error persists), or a wiring fault between the pump and the PCB.