F5 E2
Whirlpool Washer
Severity: ModerateWhat Does This Error Mean?
Whirlpool F5 E2 means the washer tried to lock the lid before starting the cycle and the lock did not engage.
Without a confirmed lock signal, the control will not let the washer fill or spin — for safety, you cannot agitate water with an open lid.
The fix is almost always the lid lock assembly itself, which is a low-cost part with a 30-minute replacement on Cabrio top-loaders.
Affected Models
- Whirlpool Cabrio top-load washer
- Whirlpool WTW5000 series
- Whirlpool WTW7500 series
- Whirlpool WTW8500 series
- Whirlpool WTW8800 series
Common Causes
- Lid lock motor or solenoid burned out (most common)
- Plastic striker on the underside of the lid broken or chipped
- Lid lock assembly out of alignment after a hard slam
- Wire harness from lid lock to control board pinched or unplugged
- Main control board not sending the lock signal
How to Fix It
-
Power-cycle the washer.
Unplug the washer for 60 seconds, then plug it back in.
If F5 E2 was a transient glitch, this clears it.
Start a Rinse and Spin to test — if the lid clicks shut and the spin runs, you are done. -
Inspect the striker on the lid.
Open the lid and look at the small plastic post on the underside that drops into the lock when you close.
Cracked or missing = the lock has nothing to grab.
Replacement striker is 5-15 USD and clips on without tools. -
Watch the lock try to engage.
Start a cycle and watch the slot on top of the cabinet where the striker enters.
You should hear a click and see a small bolt move sideways within 5 seconds.
No movement at all = the lock motor is dead.
Movement but no click = the bolt is not catching the striker. -
Replace the lid lock assembly.
Lift the lid and remove the two screws on top of the cabinet at the rear corners.
Tilt the top forward.
The lock is held by two more screws and a single wire harness.
Unplug, swap, plug new one in.
Genuine Whirlpool W10404050 or W10682535 is 50-90 USD; aftermarket equivalents are 20-40 USD. -
Check the harness if the new lock still fails.
Same lid-tilted-forward position.
Trace the lock harness back to the control board.
Pinched insulation against the metal frame causes intermittent lock errors.
Reroute or wrap any rubbed areas with electrical tape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run the washer with the lid lock removed?
No.
The control will not start a cycle without seeing the lock signal, and bypassing the switch is genuinely unsafe — the spin reaches over 1000 RPM on Cabrios and the basket is exposed when the lid opens.
Fix the lock or the striker, do not jumper the switch.
Will the washer drain water still inside the tub?
On most models, yes — selecting Drain and Spin will at least pump water out, even if it cannot complete a full spin.
Use that to clear standing water before opening the cabinet to work on the lock.