What should I check first for Whirlpool washer error F5E1?

Check the door is completely closed.

F5E1Medium

Whirlpool washer error F5E1

F5E1 points to the door switch — the washer cannot confirm the door is shut.

Also shows as F5 E1

Symptom
F5E1
Free checks
4 checks
Then the part
Door not completely closed

The 4 free checks

Start at the top. Unplug the machine first.

01
Check the door is completely closed.
02
Check nothing is blocking the door switch — clothing or shipping material on a newly installed machine.
03
Unplug the washer for 5 minutes, then plug it back in to reset the control.
04
Close the lid fully before pressing Start — the code is shown if Start is pressed with the lid open.

What causes it

Listed most likely first.

Cause	How often	DIY
Door not completely closed	Most common	Yes
Clothing or leftover shipping material blocking the door switch	Common	Yes
The lid lock/switch assembly is not detecting the lid position	Common	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.