The Whirlpool Washer Drain Problem, Explained

I want to be precise about this one, because it's the reason you won't currently find Whirlpool washers in my picks, and it's not a vibes thing. It's a specific, documented failure on a specific generation of machines, and I see it in the field regularly.

What owners see

The washer drains. And drains. And keeps draining, sometimes it won't start a cycle, sometimes it stops mid-cycle, sometimes it just sits there running the drain pump forever. On models with a display you may see an F3E1 error ("pressure sensor error"). It usually shows up within the first year or two, on machines that look and sound otherwise brand new.

What's actually failing

Inside these machines, a pressure sensor (transducer) tells the control board how much water is in the tub. On this generation, that signal goes bad, the board thinks the tub still has water in it, so it runs the drain pump nonstop trying to empty a tub that's already empty. The failure lives in the sensor/control-board pair, and the fix is replacing the board (or in some cases the sensor).

This isn't forum folklore. Whirlpool issued Technical Service Pointer W11766193 in March 2025 for exactly this, "F3E1 Pressure Sensor Error or Drain Pump Running Continuously", covering VMW-platform top-loaders manufactured roughly January 2023 through December 2024. And here's the part most owners don't realize: this platform isn't only sold with a Whirlpool badge. The same VMW top-load washer underpins Maytag, Amana, and Roper models from the same window, same sensor, same board, same endless-drain failure, different logo on the lid. If you own a recent top-loader from any of those four brands and it won't stop draining, this is your issue. Owners and techs have documented clusters of affected machines, including models like WTW4950HW3, WTW4955HW3, WTW4816FW3, and WTW4957PW0, one owner reported four friends' newer Whirlpool washers all continuously draining from bad boards.

The part that makes it worse: the parts

Here's the thing that moves this from "annoying defect" to "off my list." A washer with a known defect and a fast, available fix is survivable. But replacement control boards for these machines have been backordered, techs report waits of weeks to months. A washer you can't wash with for six weeks is a broken promise, no matter whose name is on it. My rule from the LG-vs-Samsung piece applies here: a brand is only as good as its worst service experience.

If you own one of these washers

Fair is fair: this is a washer problem, not a everything-Whirlpool problem

I keep my scoreboard honest. Whirlpool refrigerators still rank near the top of Consumer Reports' reliability data, and their simpler dryers remain solid machines. This article isn't "Whirlpool is junk." It's: this specific washer platform has a specific defect with a specific parts problem, and until that's resolved I'm not sending anyone's money at it. When the boards flow and the failure rate drops, they can earn the spot back.

What I'd buy instead, today

Same money, no known drain defect, and parts I can get in days:

LG 4.1-cu ft Agitator Top-Load Washer

My most-recommended washer, direct-drive motor, 10-year motor warranty.

Check price at Lowe's

LG 4.5-cu ft Stackable Front-Load Washer

The front-loader I'd put in my own house.

Check price at Lowe's

Electrolux SmartBoost 4.5-cu ft Front-Load Washer

The cleanest wash on the market, period.

Check price at Lowe's

From my repair calls, on video

The same advice, straight from the service van:

Washers to avoid right now, watch on TikTok

The Whirlpool situation, answered, watch on TikTok

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