Whirlpool Washer F22 Error Code: Lid Switch Fault

Quick Answer

F22 is a lid switch fault distinct from the F5 series lid lock faults. Where F5 E3 is about the locking mechanism itself, F22 is about the separate lid position switch that tells the control board the lid is physically down. The switch should read 0 ohms (closed circuit) when the lid is pressed down.

When I show up and see F22 on a top-loader, nine times out of ten there's a soaking wet load sitting in the drum that won't spin out. The machine isn't broken in any big way, it's just stubborn about one tiny switch. Ignore it and you're wringing water out of jeans by hand for a week. Don't wait on this one.

WhirlpoolWasherSeverity: moderate90% DIY Success

Time to Fix

15–35 min

Difficulty

beginner

Parts Cost

$15 – $25

Tools Needed

Digital multimeter, Torx T20 screwdriver

What Does the F22 Code Mean?

OK so here's the deal with F22. It's the classic 'fills and agitates fine but won't spin' headache, and honestly I fix three or four of these a month. Good news is parts are cheap, usually around ten to fifteen bucks, and you don't need any special skills to swap this out. An hour of your time, maybe less, and your washer's back to normal.

Most Likely Causes

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

Failed lid switch internal contacts (65%)40%

Lid hinge bent so lid does not fully depress the switch plunger (15%)36%

Wiring harness to lid switch broken or disconnected (20%)24%

Symptoms You May Notice

F22 flashes right when the cycle tries to shift from agitation into drain and spin, and the drum just stops.
Clothes come out absolutely soaking wet. The washer went through the whole wash cycle fine but never got to high-speed spin to extract the water.
The lid feels closed and latched solid, but the machine acts like it's wide open. Sometimes you'll hear it try to start spinning, catch itself, then beep.
Cycle just pauses mid-run with the lid down, sits there for a minute like it's frozen, then throws the code at you.
Control panel shows the cycle progressing through the stages but the drum isn't moving at all during what should be the spin portion.

Can you reset a Whirlpool washer to clear the F22 code?

Unplug the washer for a full minute so the capacitors on the control board discharge completely. Don't cheat it, a full minute. Once you've got the new switch installed and the connector clicked firmly back in, plug it in and select a Drain and Spin cycle. If the basket starts moving and F22 doesn't pop back up within the first 30 seconds, you've nailed it.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Digital multimeterTorx T20 screwdriverPhillips #2 screwdriverFlat-head screwdriver5/16 inch nut driverNeedle-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 Range0–2 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	OEM Number	Estimated Price
Lid SwitchWPW10082853 · $15–$25	WPW10082853	$15 – $25

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between F22 and F5 E3 on a Whirlpool washer?

Think of it this way. F22 is the 'is the lid down?' sensor, and F5 E3 is the 'is it locked?' sensor. The machine checks lid position first, then tries to engage the lock. If the F22 switch is dead, the washer won't even bother trying to lock, so you never get to spin at all. F5 E3 means the lid's confirmed down, but the lock bolt or lock motor isn't engaging. Two totally different parts, two different fixes, and mixing them up will have you replacing the wrong thing.

Is the F22 lid switch repair safe to do myself?

Honestly, yes. This is one of the best beginner repairs there is. You unplug it, pop open the top panel with a nut driver or Torx bit, swap the switch, plug it back in. The switch itself is like ten to fifteen bucks. A service call is going to cost you sixty to ninety dollars just to walk in the door, plus parts and labor. Do the math. The only real rule is making sure you're unplugged before you start poking around in the console. Follow that and you're fine.

How much does the Whirlpool lid switch cost and what's the part number?

The replacement switch is part number WPW10082853 and it runs about ten to eighteen dollars depending on where you buy it. AppliancePartsPros, RepairClinic, and Amazon all carry it. The whole repair including the part is usually under twenty-five bucks. If a repair shop is quoting you more than seventy-five dollars total for this fix, that's way too high. It's a thirty minute job on a ten dollar part.

Can I drain my wet clothes while I wait for the part to arrive?

Yeah, you can. Start a Drain and Spin cycle and just hold the lid down manually the whole time. Some people tape it shut but I don't love that idea since it defeats the safety feature. Just stand there and hold it down for a few minutes. Your clothes won't be perfectly spun out but they won't be dripping either. Way better than letting a wet load sit in the drum for two or three days while you wait on shipping.

What if replacing the switch doesn't fix the F22 code?

So the switch tested bad, you replaced it, and the code comes right back. That's pretty rare but it happens. Next thing I'd look at is the wiring harness between the switch and the control board, specifically right at the hinge flex point where wires tend to snap inside the insulation. Test each wire for continuity end to end. If the harness checks out fine, you're probably looking at a bad control board input. At that point I'd get a tech out to confirm before you spend a hundred and fifty to two hundred dollars on a control board, because that's a painful guess to get wrong.

Related Whirlpool Washer Error Codes

Code: F5 E3Whirlpool Washer F5 E3 Error Code: Lid Lock Fault Code: F5 E2Whirlpool Washer F5 E2 Error Code: Door Lock Fault Code: RESETHow to Reset a Whirlpool Washer

Same Fix on Other Brands

Maytag washerF22: Maytag Washer F22 Error Code

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 Guide Maytag washerHow to Reset a Maytag Washer (3 Methods That Work)Maytag washerMaytag Washer Troubleshooting: Fix 12 Common Problems Maytag washerMaytag Washer F21: Drain Pump Clog or Failure Maytag washerMaytag F03 E01: Pressure Switch or Water Level Fault Maytag washerMaytag F0 E3 Error: Pressure Switch Malfunction

Models Known to Experience F22 Errors

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

WTW4816FW, WTW5000DW, WTW4850HW, WTW6120HW, WTW4955HW, WTW7500GC, WTW8127LC

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 14, 2026