Maytag Washer FL LO Code: Flow Low or No Water

Quick Answer

Maytag FL LO means water flow into the machine is too low or stopped. Turn off both supply valves, disconnect the hoses, and check the small mesh screens inside each valve port. Sediment buildup is the most common cause. Also confirm both valves are fully open. If screens are clean, test valve solenoids with a multimeter: 500-1,000 ohms is good.

FL LO is similar to F8 E1 but specific to Maytag Maxima (MHW) front-load models. It means the washer is detecting water entering too slowly, not absent entirely. Three quick checks: confirm both supply faucets are fully open, verify the inlet hose screens are not clogged, and check that home water pressure is above 20 PSI. FL LO can also appear intermittently during winter when home water pressure drops or when other household appliances are running simultaneously.

MaytagWasherSeverity: moderate88% DIY Success

Time to Fix

10–30 min

Difficulty

beginner

Parts Cost

$35 – $75

Tools Needed

Needle-nose pliers, Bucket

Wrong code?

Not seeing FL LO on your display?

Select what your appliance is actually doing and we'll take you to the right guide.

same root cause, different code format

F8 E1

water level sensing overlap

F0 E3

FL LO blocking startup

SYMPTOM

What Does the FL LO Code Mean?

FL LO is specific to Maytag Maxima front-load models and indicates that water flow into the tub is below the minimum threshold. The code differs from F8 E1 in that FL LO is flow-rate based while F8 E1 is a pressure-switch timeout, but the underlying causes are the same.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

Clogged inlet valve screen40%

Supply valve partially closed30%

Kinked inlet hose20%

Failed inlet valve solenoid10%

Symptoms You May Notice

FL LO displayed - flow low or no water detected
Washer starts fill cycle but drum stays dry
Fill takes much longer than usual
Machine stops during fill with flow code

Can you reset a Maytag washer to clear the FL LO code?

After opening valves or cleaning screens, restart the washer. FL LO should not return if adequate water pressure is restored.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Needle-nose pliersBucket

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

Verify supply faucets are fully open

Pull the washer away from the wall. Check both hot and cold water supply faucets. Turn each fully counterclockwise to open. Even a slightly closed valve can reduce flow enough to trigger FL LO on Maytag Maxima models.

Clean inlet hose screens

Check supply hoses for kinks

Check home water pressure

Test inlet valve solenoid

Replacement Parts

If your diagnostic testing proves the component has failed, you will need a replacement. We recommend OEM parts over aftermarket for water-handling components.

Part Name	OEM Number	Estimated Price
Water Inlet ValveW10853723 · $35–$75	W10853723	$35 – $75

Verify part fitment for your Maytag model

Repair vs. Replace Calculator

Appliance Age (Years)7 Yrs

Labor Approach

Our Verdict

REPAIR

Estimated Cost: $55 (Parts) vs $550 (New Machine)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I fix FL LO on a Maytag washer?

Work through the supply chain in order. First: confirm both hot and cold supply faucets are fully open. Second: disconnect the inlet hoses and clean the mesh screens inside the inlet valve ports - soak them in white vinegar for 30 minutes. Third: verify no kinks in the supply hoses. Fourth: confirm home water pressure is at least 20 PSI. In the vast majority of cases, one of these four steps resolves FL LO without any part replacement.

What water pressure does a Maytag washer need?

Maytag washers require a minimum of 20 PSI water pressure. Most residential systems run 40-80 PSI. FL LO from low pressure is more likely in homes with aging galvanized pipes, on well water systems with pressure tank issues, or during peak household water use periods.

Is FL LO the same as F8 E1?

They indicate the same underlying problem (insufficient water flow) but are different codes used on different model generations. FL LO appears on Maytag Maxima (MHW) front-loaders. F8 E1 appears on other Maytag front-load and top-load models. The diagnosis and repair steps are nearly identical for both codes.

Related Maytag Washer Error Codes

Code: F8 E1Maytag F8 E1: Water Supply Problem Detected Code: F0 E3Maytag F0 E3: Pressure Switch Malfunction Code: SYMPTOMMaytag Washer Won't Turn On

Same Fix Works on These Brands

Maytag shares the same hardware platform with these brands. The diagnosis and repair steps are identical.

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Models Known to Experience FL LO Errors

This repair applies to most Maytag washers with this error code. Common model numbers include:

MHW7000XW, MHW5500FW, MHW6000XW, MHW3505FW, MHW8100DC, MHW5630HW

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 14, 2026