What should I check first for Maytag washer error F7E1?

Check all four shipping bolts and the four plastic spacers have been removed from the rear of the washer. Left in, they cause noise, vibration and error codes.

What usually causes Maytag washer error F7E1?

Shipping bolts and plastic spacers left in the back of the washer

F7E1High

Maytag washer error F7E1

F7E1 is a motor speed sensing error: the motor cannot reach the speed the selected cycle needs, because it is having difficulty turning.

Also shows as F7 E1

Symptom
F7E1
Free checks
5 checks
Then the part
Shipping bolts and plastic spacers left in the back of the washer

The 5 free checks

Start at the top. Unplug the machine first.

01
Check all four shipping bolts and the four plastic spacers have been removed from the rear of the washer. Left in, they cause noise, vibration and error codes.
02
Check the washer is not overloaded.
03
Press Pause or Cancel twice, then Power once, to clear the code. If it stays, disconnect the power for 5 minutes.
04
Unplug the washer and check the wiring between the motor control board and the drive motor, and between the motor control board and the main control board.
05
Check the spin basket rotates smoothly by hand, and clear anything caught between the basket and the tub.

What causes it

Listed most likely first.

Cause	How often	DIY
Shipping bolts and plastic spacers left in the back of the washer	Most common	Yes
Washer overloaded	Common	Yes
An obstruction caught between the spin basket and the tub	Common	Yes
A loose or damaged wire harness between the motor control board and the drive motor	Common	Call a pro
The drive motor has failed	Occasional	Call a pro
The motor control board has failed	Occasional	Call a pro

Before you check anything

Disconnect the power first. Unplug the machine at the socket, or switch off its circuit at the consumer unit if it is hard-wired. Do this before opening any panel, reaching into a pump filter, or moving the appliance.
Turn off the water before disconnecting a hose, and have a towel and a shallow tray ready — a drain hose holds water even when the drum looks empty.
Gas, mains wiring and sealed refrigeration are for a qualified professional — in many countries that is a legal requirement, not advice. If you smell gas, do not touch any switch: leave, and call your gas emergency number from outside.
Stop if you smell burning, see scorched wiring, or find water near an electrical connection. None of those is a code to look up.

The checks on this page are the manufacturer’s own, rewritten and sourced, and they are reference information rather than a repair instruction for your particular machine. Model, age and installation all change what is safe to do. You are the one standing in front of it — if a step looks wrong for the machine you have, trust that and call a technician.