Whirlpool Washing Machine F28 Error Code Fix

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What This Error Means

F28 on a Whirlpool washing machine means “Serial Communication Error” between the control boards.

The main control (CCU) and the motor control (MCU/inverter) stop talking to each other, so the washer shuts the cycle down, won’t spin, or refuses to start.

Typical clues:

  • F28 flashes on the display, sometimes with beeping.
  • Drum won’t turn or stops mid-cycle.
  • You might hear a click from inside, then nothing.

Official Fix

This is the straight-from-the-manual route: power reset, then chase wiring and boards.

  • Kill the power. Unplug the washer for at least 1 minute. Don’t just flip the breaker if you can reach the plug.
  • Do a hard reset. Plug it back in, try a short cycle. If F28 comes right back, it’s not a simple glitch.
  • Access the controls.
    • Pull the washer out a bit.
    • On most Whirlpool front-loaders: remove the three screws along the back of the top panel, slide the top back, then lift it off.
  • Find the boards.
    • CCU (main board) is usually at the top, rear or side, with lots of connectors.
    • MCU (motor control) sits low near the motor, behind the front or rear panel depending on model.
  • Reseat the harnesses (officially: “check connections”).
    • Unplug the washer again if you plugged it in for testing.
    • Disconnect the wire plugs going between CCU and MCU one at a time.
    • Inspect for burnt spots, green corrosion, loose or bent pins.
    • Firmly push each connector back on until it locks.
  • Check continuity (if you have a meter).
    • Ohm out the harness between CCU and MCU. Each wire should read near 0 Ω end‑to‑end.
    • If any leg is open, replace the harness.
  • Board decision.
    • If the harness is good and F28 still returns, Whirlpool’s tree is: replace the motor control board (MCU) first.
    • If a new MCU doesn’t cure it, replace the main control board (CCU).

That’s the official flow: connections ➜ harness ➜ MCU ➜ CCU.

The Technician’s Trick

The manual jumps to “replace boards.” Out in the field, a ton of F28 calls are just bad contacts and vibration issues. Here’s the real-world play.

  • Contact clean every plug.
    • Unplug the washer. No exceptions.
    • Pull every connector off the CCU and MCU, not just the comms harness.
    • Spray the pins and sockets with electrical contact cleaner (not WD‑40), then plug/unplug each one a few times.
    • Let it dry a couple minutes before powering up.
  • Lock the harness down.
    • If the harness is hanging loose, zip‑tie it so it can’t flop and tug on the boards when the drum spins.
    • Pay attention to the plug ends; if the wire feels “soft” or breaks near the crimp, you’ve found an intermittent open.
  • Check for water above the CCU.
    • Look for dried white streaks or rust on and around the CCU housing.
    • If the dispenser or hoses above it have been dripping, dry the area thoroughly and fix the leak. Moisture on the board can trigger F28.
  • Tap test on the CCU.
    • With the washer running a test cycle and careful fingers, lightly tap the CCU plastic case with the handle of a screwdriver.
    • If the machine glitches or throws F28 when you tap, that board has weak solder joints. Long-term fix is board repair or replacement.
  • Power quality check.
    • If F28 shows up randomly during storms or heavy loads on the same circuit, try another dedicated outlet or a different circuit.
    • Low or noisy voltage can make the boards drop communication.

Is It Worth Fixing? (The Financial Verdict)

  • ✅ Fix: Washer is under ~8–10 years old, cabinet and drum are solid, and you only need a harness or a single control board (parts usually well under half the price of a new machine).
  • ⚠️ Debatable: Machine is 10–12 years old, has other annoyances (loud bearings, small leaks, occasional other error codes) and needs a $150–$300 control board on top of a service call.
  • ❌ Replace: Tub is roaring, it’s rusted out, multiple boards are suspect, or you’re staring at a repair quote close to the cost of a new mid-range washer.

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