The other day I was washing my clothes and noticed that my Whirlpool Washer was stuck on sensing. This was frustrating and made me wonder what exactly was causing this issue.
Typically, the sensing part of the washing process is meant to obtain the proper washing settings and apply them to the load. When your Whirlpool washer gets stuck in this function, you will find that you cannot move forward in the wash process due to this error.
If your Whirlpool Washer is not working, try resetting your machine or changing the cycle settings. Also, check if your washer is overheated or not draining properly. Finally, check if something is blocking to drainage of your washer. If nothing works, disassemble your washer and inspect the internal components for damage.
The process for these fixes and other solutions to common problems that could cause this issue will be detailed in the guide below. You can use this information to properly identify the issue that is causing your Whirlpool washer to become stuck on sensing and apply the proper troubleshooting methods.
Why Is My Washing Machine Stuck On Sensing?
Your Whirlpool Washer might have been accidentally set to standby mode, which will keep it from completing any normal functions until you exit this mode. Since the process for entering standby mode involves pressing buttons on the machine, it is easy to accidentally activate the standby mode.
Washer Machine Is In Standby Mode
While in standby mode, your washer will not respond to any of the commands that you issue using the buttons or knobs on your machine. You will need to exit the standby mode of your machine before you will be able to use it properly. Turning a
You can tell if your washer is in standby mode by checking for any visible indicator lights that are currently illuminated.
If you can see these indicators lights, that means that your washer is not currently in standby mode. If there are no lights visible, then you will need to exit standby mode.
If you have determined that your machine is not in standby mode and you still cannot move past the sensing stage, then you should consider altering your cycle settings. The way that your cycle settings affect your washer will be detailed in the section below.
Cycle Settings Are Malfunctioning
It is possible that your cycle settings on your machine could be malfunctioning and causing your washer to get stuck in the sensing process.
Because your Whirlpool washer depends on an internal computer to carry out the main functions of the machine, a bug or a glitch in the software could be the cause.
If your cycle settings are malfunctioning, this can indicate a software glitch that could cause your washer to get stuck in the sensing stage because it cannot properly determine the cycle you have chosen. You should consider changing the cycle to another and seeing if that helps resolve your issue.
If changing the cycle setting does not help resolve your issue, then the root of your problem likely stems from a hardware problem rather than a software issue. These hardware issues will be discussed next in the section below.
Water Level Sensor Might Be Malfunctioning
If your water level sensor malfunctions, your washer will not be able to detect the proper water amounts during the sensing stage of the wash. This will cause your washer to stay in the sensing stage until the proper water level is reached inside of the machine.
The water level sensor depends on a pressure switch that is triggered when air is pushed against the switch as the water level rises in the machine. If this component of your washer has been damaged or is not properly installed, this can cause your machine to become stuck in the sensing cycle.
This is not the only hardware issue that could cause these problems. Another hardware component of your washer that you should inspect will be detailed in the section below.
Motor Could Be Overheated And Jammed Because Of Faulty Thermostat
If the motor in your washer has become overheated due to a faulty thermostat, this will cause your washer to not be able to properly carry out the washing process and become stuck in the sensing stage. When your motor overheats, it will likely not function properly until it has had time to cool down.
In the meantime, your washer will be stuck in the sensing stage while it waits for the motor to cool down so it can resume regular functions. You will need to address any issues with your washer’s thermostat or motor as soon as possible.
Now that you have more information regarding the common causes of this issue, you can move on to better understand what the sensing lights are meant to indicate.
What Does Blinking Sensing Light Indicate?
A blinking sensing light on your Whirlpool washer indicates the beginning of the wash cycle. During the sensing stage, your washing machine will determine the user settings that have been selected and start working towards applying them to the current load.
If functioning properly, this process should only take a few seconds. Once it has completed the sensing stage, your machine will be set to the appropriate cycle settings and start to fill with the right amount of water automatically.
Now that you understand more about the sensing light indicator on your washer and the common causes of malfunctions, you can begin to consider some of the troubleshooting methods that could help resolve your issue.
How To Fix Whirlpool Washer Stuck In Sensing Mode
Reset Whirlpool Washer
Resetting your Whirlpool Washer will take around 5 minutes The process to do this is simple and will be detailed below.
1. Disconnect the power from your Whirlpool washer by removing the plug from the outlet.
2. Once you have unplugged your Whirlpool Washer from the power source, leave it unplugged for at least 5 minutes. For better results, you can leave it unplugged for up to 15 minutes if you choose.
3. After the time period has elapsed, plug the machine back up to complete the reset process.
If this has not solved your issue, it can be helpful to use the built-in diagnostics to help pinpoint the root of your problem. Details on the diagnostic functions of your machine will be detailed in the section below.
Use Diagnostics To Find Error Code
Diagnostics mode will help you identify any specific errors that your machine is experiencing by producing a code on the display of your machine.
These error codes are generally documented in the manual of your machine or posted someone on the outside of the washer.
The process to enter diagnostics mode will be detailed in the section below.
1. First, you will need to turn the dial all the way around once. This means a full 360-degree rotation.
2. Once you have done this, perform the following combination of knob turns: Left, Right, Right, Right, Left, Right.
3. If you have performed this series of knob turns correctly, the dials will all begin to flash.
4. As soon as the dials begin to flash, turn the knob again until it reaches the spin cycle.
5. Once you have reached the spin cycle, press the start button.
Your washer will not be in diagnostics mode. It will automatically scan for any errors present and display the appropriate code.
You can the above video for a visual representation of this process. Once you have done this, you can replace parts based on the error codes that you have received.
This process will be detailed more in the next section of this guide.
Replace Faulty Parts Based On Error Codes
Once you have used the diagnostic tool to determine any error codes that are present on your washer, you can use that information to replace the components causing your issue. For example, the dL error code indicates an issue with the door lock on your machine.
If you are receiving the dL error code on your machine, this is an indicator to you that you need to repair or replace the door locking mechanism on your washer. This is one of the biggest benefits of using diagnostic tools to get error codes for your machine.
You can use the table below to help you determine the part you should replace when receiving some of the most common error codes. You should consult your user manual for a full list of all of the applicable error codes for your model of Whirlpool Washer.
| Whirlpool Error Code | Washer Part To Replace |
| dU | Door Lock |
| dL | Door Lock |
| F42 | Thermostat |
| F50 | Motor |
| F54 | Motor |
If the diagnostic tool does not return any useful error codes, then you should explore some of the other common fixes for this issue detailed below.
Try Drain And Spin Functions
You should attempt to use the drain and spin function of your Whirlpool washer if you cannot get the standard cycles to move past sensing. The drain and spin cycle do not consider any cycle settings beyond what is automatically applied when using the drain and spin functions.
Using the drain and spin functions will often clear any clogs in the machine that could be causing your sensing issues. If that does not work, you will need to manually check for any blockages as detailed in the next section of this guide.
Look For Blockages in Drain Hose, Pump, Impeller
You should inspect all of your drain hoses, the pump, and the impeller of your washer when trying to address sensing stage issues. Oftentimes, when these components become clogged, they can cause your machine to become stuck in the sensing cycle due to improper water levels.
Because of this, it is important to routinely inspect these components of your washer to ensure they are clear and functioning properly. If your drain and spin function is not working properly, consult the section below for more details regarding these issues.
Possible Reasons For Faulty Drain/Spin Functions
Unbalanced Load
An unbalanced load caused by jammed clothes in the machine can cause issues with your drain and spin function. When this happens, not only will your machine shake more intensely than it should but you will also experience issues with the drain function if the clothes are too compacted.
Unlevel Washer
An unlevel washer will also frequently experience issues with the drain and spin functions. If the washer is not on a level surface, this will cause the drain function to not function properly, as the water will struggle to reach the proper tubes and reservoirs in the machine.
Washer Is Overloaded
If your washer is overloaded, this will cause issues with both the drain and spin functions of the machine. When your washer is overloaded, the water will have trouble draining to the proper channels due to the mass of clothing.
Final Thoughts
This guide has provided you with all of the information that you need to determine why you are experiencing issues with your Whirlpool washer getting stuck in the sensing stage. As this guide indicates, there are several causes and solutions to this issue that you can consider.
This guide can be used to ensure that you can address these issues quickly and easily while avoiding them in the future.
Pro Tip
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