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Whirlpool Dishwasher E2 F2: Water Temperature Too Low

Quick Answer

E2 F2 on a Whirlpool dishwasher means the water temperature is reading below the minimum threshold the DTM control board expects during the wash or preheat phase. Before replacing any parts, run the hot water tap at the kitchen sink for 30-60 seconds before starting the dishwasher. If your water heater is far from the kitchen, the first several gallons of supply water may be cold enough to trigger this code.

I see this code probably two or three times a month, and honestly, half of those calls don't need a single part replaced. It pops up most in winter or in older homes with a long hot water run to the kitchen. But here's the thing, if you ignore it, your detergent can't activate at cold temps, and that grease buildup will eventually clog the filter and kill your pump. Don't let a cheap plumbing fix turn into a $400 motor replacement.

WhirlpoolDishwasherSeverity: moderateDifficulty: intermediate82% DIY Success
Time to Fix
20–60 min
Difficulty
intermediate
Parts Cost
$12 – $65
Tools Needed
Digital multimeter with resistance (ohms) setting, Torx T20 screwdriver

What Does the E2 F2 Code Mean?

OK so E2 F2 is actually one of the few dishwasher codes where the machine might not be broken at all. I've shown up to plenty of these calls and just ran the hot water tap for a minute, started the cycle, and the thing worked perfectly. Before you pull anything apart, rule out the plumbing situation first. If that doesn't fix it, you're probably looking at the heater element or thermistor, and neither one is a crazy expensive fix.

Most Likely Causes

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

Cold water supply line (water heater far from kitchen)40%
Heater assembly failed or burned out24%
Control board not energizing the heater relay22%
Thermistor reading low due to failure14%

Symptoms You May Notice

  • The E2 F2 code shows up mid-cycle, usually during the main wash phase, and the dishwasher just stops or drains before finishing.
  • You crack the door open partway through and the water inside is lukewarm at best, sometimes outright cold.
  • Dishes come out with greasy film, lipstick still on glasses, food stuck on like the thing barely moved any water at all.
  • Code shows up every single morning on the first cycle of the day, then mysteriously disappears when you run it again an hour later, that's the cold pipe issue right there.
  • No steam at all when you open the door at the end of the cycle.

Can you reset a Whirlpool dishwasher to clear the E2 F2 code?

Press and hold the Cancel or Drain button for three full seconds until the display clears. Wait about 60 seconds before starting a new cycle. If the code comes right back, don't just keep hitting reset. The board's telling you something's still open in the heater circuit. Run your hot tap first, then reset, then watch which phase of the cycle it faults in. That'll help you narrow it down to the element or the thermistor.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Digital multimeter with resistance (ohms) settingTorx T20 screwdriverPhillips #2 screwdriverFlathead screwdriverNeedle-nose pliers

Diagnostic Checklist

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

ComponentComponent Under Test
Expected Range10000–50000 ohms
ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.

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
Heater AssemblyW10518394 · $35–$65
NTC ThermistorW10057581 · $12–$22

Frequently Asked Questions

What temperature should my home water heater be set to for a Whirlpool dishwasher?
Set it to 120F. Honestly, I find a lot of homeowners have cranked it down to 110 or even 100 for safety, but Whirlpool dishwashers really struggle to bridge a 40-50 degree gap on their own. The machine's internal heater is meant to maintain temperature, not bring cold water up to cleaning temp from scratch. If your heater is far from the kitchen, use the High Temp Wash option, which forces the dishwasher to extend the heating phase until the water actually hits the right temp before it starts the main wash.
Can E2 F2 damage the dishwasher if I just ignore it?
It won't break the machine overnight, but it'll absolutely wreck your cleaning results. Cold water means detergent doesn't activate right, and that leads to grease buildup in the filters, spray arms, and around the sump. I've seen pumps burn out from running constantly against clogged filters, and spray arm ports get so gunked up they barely move water anymore. Fix the temperature issue now and you're looking at a cheap repair. Ignore it for a year and you might be replacing the whole pump assembly, and that's a much bigger job.
How do I know if it's the heating element or the thermistor causing this?
Grab your multimeter and check the element first since it's easier to access. Disconnect power, pull the kickplate, and test resistance across the heater terminals. Healthy element reads 8-30 ohms. If that passes, unplug the thermistor harness and check resistance there. Room temp reading should be 10k-50k ohms. If both test fine, you're probably looking at the control board's heater relay not closing. I replaced three Whirlpool thermistors last month alone, they're actually more common failures than burned elements in my experience.
How long does this repair take and what does it cost?
If it's just the plumbing timing issue, zero cost and zero time. Just run your tap first. Thermistor replacement runs about 20-25 bucks in parts and maybe 30 minutes if you've never done it before. The heater assembly is around 80-120 dollars and takes about an hour since you need to pull the lower spray arm and disconnect everything around the sump. Control board replacement is the expensive option, usually 150-250 dollars for the part alone, so always exhaust the cheaper parts first before going that route.
Is there a diagnostic mode to see live temperature readings on these Whirlpool models?
On most of these models you can enter service mode by pressing the same button three times quickly within about five seconds. Try the High Temp Wash button three times fast, some models respond to that. The display will cycle through stored fault codes. It varies a bit by model year though, and honestly the multimeter test on the thermistor is way more reliable than trusting the display readout anyway. If the display is showing temps way below what you'd expect with a full tub of water, that pretty much confirms the thermistor is feeding the board bad data.

Related Whirlpool Dishwasher Error Codes

Code: E4Whirlpool Dishwasher E4 Error Code: Thermistor FaultCode: F7 E1Whirlpool Dishwasher F7 E1 Error Code: Heater Circuit FaultCode: 4-3Whirlpool Dishwasher 4-3 Blink Code: Water Heating Fault on Older Models

Same Fix Works on These Brands

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

Maytag washerAll Maytag Washer Error Codes: Complete Lookup GuideMaytag washerHow to Reset a Maytag Washer (3 Methods That Work)Maytag washerMaytag Washer Troubleshooting: Fix 12 Common ProblemsMaytag washerMaytag Washer F21: Drain Pump Clog or FailureMaytag washerMaytag F03 E01: Pressure Switch or Water Level FaultMaytag washerMaytag F0 E3 Error: Pressure Switch Malfunction

Models Known to Experience E2 F2 Errors

This repair applies to most Whirlpool dishwashers with this error code. Common model numbers include:

WDT780SAEM, WDF550SAHZ, WDT730PAHZ, WDT750SAHZ, WDT970SAHZ, WDF518SAHM, WDT720PADE

MS

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 14, 2026