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ErrBase

Whirlpool Washer F50 Error Code

Quick Answer

An F50 code means your washer is having trouble communicating with the motor sensor. This is usually caused by a loose wiring harness, a failed RPS sensor, or something physically blocking the tub from spinning.

Nine times out of ten, an F50 points straight to the RPS sensor or a harness that shook loose during a heavy load. I've found that checking the underside of the tub for debris is always the first move before you replace anything. If the basket can't turn freely, the sensor's gonna throw this code even if all the electronics are perfectly fine. Don't ignore it either, running it through will kill your motor.

WhirlpoolWasherSeverity: highDifficulty: intermediate85% DIY Success
Time to Fix
30–90 min
Difficulty
intermediate
Parts Cost
—
Tools Needed
Phillips #2 screwdriver, 1/4 inch nut driver

What Does the F50 Code Mean?

So your Whirlpool's showing F50 and you're wondering what the deal is. Basically the computer lost track of where the motor is and shut everything down before it burned itself up. It's actually a pretty smart safety move. Most of the time it's a loose connector or a dead RPS sensor, and neither one is a disaster. Parts are cheap, usually under $30. I've seen this more on the Cabrio platform than anything else, and honestly it's a pretty fixable code if you take it step by step.

Most Likely Causes

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

Loose or damaged wiring harness45%
Failed RPS sensor board35%
Mechanical obstruction in tub15%
Main control board failure5%

Symptoms You May Notice

  • The washer starts filling with water, agitates for maybe 30 seconds, then just stops dead and throws the code.
  • Complete silence from the motor area when it should be spinning, like it tries once and gives up.
  • You hear a loud single hum for a few seconds right when the spin cycle should kick in, then nothing.
  • The basket won't budge at all when you reach in and try to turn it by hand, which means something physical is blocking it.
  • Code keeps coming back within the first minute of every new cycle, even after you reset it.

Can you reset a Whirlpool washer to clear the F50 code?

Unplug the washer completely and wait a full 60 seconds, not 10, not 30, a full minute so the capacitors can drain down. Plug it back in, then open and close the lid six times within 12 seconds to trigger the reset cycle on Cabrio-style machines. The display should clear. If the code comes right back as soon as the motor tries to move, you've still got a hardware issue and the reset didn't fix anything, it just confirmed it.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriver1/4 inch nut driver7/16 inch socket or nut driverMultimeter with resistance settingFlathead screwdriverFlashlight or headlampNeedle-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 Range4–7 ohms
ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a heavy load of laundry cause the F50 error?
Yeah, absolutely. A big unbalanced load, like one soaking wet comforter, will make that tub swing around violently during spin. That can yank a harness connector loose, or it can make the motor stall under the weight and throw the code. Reset it, pull some stuff out to balance the load, and try again. If it only happened once and the code clears, that's probably all it was.
Is it worth fixing an F50 error on an older washer?
Honestly, most of the time yes. If the machine is 8 years or less, the RPS sensor is like $20 and takes maybe an hour to swap. Even a stator is only $80 to $120 in parts. The only time I'd say skip it is if the machine's already got multiple things going wrong, like it's got a bearing noise AND this code AND a leaking seal. At that point you're rebuilding the whole bottom end and a new machine starts making more sense.
Where is the RPS sensor located on a Whirlpool washer?
It's on the stator, which is the stationary magnetic ring that sits under the wash tub. You've got to remove the rotor first, that big spinning bell with magnets all around the inside of it. One center bolt holds the rotor on. Pull the rotor off and the stator and RPS sensor are right there underneath. The sensor's usually held on with one or two small screws and has a single wiring connector.
How do I reset my Whirlpool washer after an F50 code?
Unplug it for 60 seconds, then plug back in and do the lid-open-close six times in 12 seconds trick. If the code clears and the machine runs a full cycle, you're good. If it comes back immediately or within the first minute of the next cycle, the reset didn't solve anything, it just confirmed the hardware fault is still there. Don't keep trying to reset your way past an active failure.
What does the RPS sensor actually do and why does it cause so many problems?
The RPS sensor basically tells the control board where the basket is in its rotation at any given millisecond. The board needs that info to know when to switch the motor phases and control the speed. Without it the board's flying blind and won't run the motor at all. They fail a lot on these machines because they're mounted right next to the motor where it's hot, vibration is constant, and if the tub seal ever weeps even a little, water drips right onto them. It's a known weak point on the Cabrio platform specifically.

Models Known to Experience F50 Errors

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

WTW6400SW2, WTW6200SW1, WTW6600SW2, WTW7300XW0, WTW7800XB0, WTW5500XW0, WTW4800XQ0, WTW8000BW0

MS

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 17, 2026