Whirlpool washer F50: motor stalled
F50 (F, then 50) means the motor's rotor position sensor detected no rotation when the motor should have been turning.
What F50 means
- Brand
- Whirlpool
- Appliance
- Top-load washer
- Code
- F50
- Documented meaning
- Motor stalled
- Applies to
- 45 Whirlpool models on 3 platforms
- Can you keep using it?
- No — stop and have it checked
What the washer is detecting
A position sensor on the motor reports rotation. If it sees none while the motor is driven, F and 50 flash.
Causes listed for this condition
In the order the service documentation checks them. Documented causes come from the manufacturer's service documentation for these platforms; possible causes are based on how the system works; unconfirmed marks common assumptions that the documentation does not support.
- Documented A basket that does not turn freely, including shipping packing left in place on a new installation.
- Documented A motor, sensor or wiring problem, checked with the drive test if the basket turns freely.
Safe checks you can make
- On a newly installed washer, confirm all shipping materials were removed as the installation instructions describe.
- With the washer unplugged and the basket empty, look and feel around the top edge of the basket and the wash plate for a sock, sheet corner or other item caught between the basket and the outer tub.
Further diagnosis requires opening the appliance. Beyond the owner checks, diagnosis involves removing panels, testing components and checking wiring. We describe what a technician investigates, not how to do it yourself.
What a technician checks
- Checks the basket and drive for binding.
- Runs the drive test.
Typical repairs and cost
Depending on what diagnosis finds, this code can lead to one of these repairs:
| Repair | Typical range | Labor |
|---|---|---|
| Washer drive motor replacement | $300–$720 | Heavy |
| Top-load washer gearcase / transmission replacement | $400–$880 | Major |
Typical total ranges for the Las Vegas area, parts and labor included. The final cost depends on diagnosis, the exact model, parts availability and whether other damage is found.
Can you keep using it?
Stop using it until it is checked. Stop using the washer until the cause of the stall is found; driving a jammed motor can damage it.
Whirlpool models documented with this code
- WTW6200SW
- WTW6200VW
- WTW6300SB
- WTW6300SG
- WTW6300SW
- WTW6300WW
- WTW6310WW
- WTW6340WW
- WTW6400SW
- WTW6410WW
- WTW6500WW
- WTW6600SB
- WTW6600SG
- WTW6600SW
- WTW6700TU
- WTW6700TW
And 29 more. Use the model lookup to check yours.
Related problems and codes
Other codes documented on the same Whirlpool platforms:
Repair or replace?
A fault code alone rarely justifies replacing a washer. Most F50 repairs involve a single component once diagnosed. Replacement becomes worth considering when the unit is near the end of its typical 10–13-year life and the diagnosed repair is a major one. See the repair-or-replace guide.
Need F50 diagnosed in the Las Vegas area?
We repair Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir, Amana and other Whirlpool-family appliances in Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin and Boulder City. A model number helps but is never required to book.