Problem: Items detected in drum during Clean Washer cycle
How to Fix rL Error
- PAUSE OR CANCEL THE CYCLE. Press the CANCEL button to stop the ‘Clean Washer’ cycle.
- OPEN THE LID AND REMOVE ITEMS. The ‘rL’ code indicates that clothing or other items were detected in the drum during a cleaning cycle. Open the lid and remove all items from the wash basket.
- RESTART THE CLEAN WASHER CYCLE. With the drum now empty, close the lid and restart the ‘Clean Washer’ cycle.
What to Check Next on This Whirlpool Washer
Focused repair path: washer control, water, drain, and lid/door-lock checks. Do not treat the code as a reset-only problem if it keeps returning; use what the appliance does during the failed part of the cycle to choose the next check.
- Unplug the washer for one minute, then restart only to confirm whether the same code returns after a clean power cycle.
- Check the load, detergent level, water supply valves, inlet screens, drain hose height, and drain path before replacing electronic parts.
- Inspect the lid or door lock area for a loose strike, broken latch, or connector problem when the symptom involves lock, start, or spin behavior.
- If the error appears during fill, drain, or spin, match the timing to the likely part path: inlet valve, pressure sensor, drain pump, motor, wiring, or control.
- Use the complete Whirlpool model number before ordering parts, because the same code label can map to different assemblies across washer platforms.
If these checks point toward a part, verify the complete Whirlpool model number from the appliance tag before ordering. The same error wording can use different valves, sensors, pumps, motors, heaters, locks, switches, or control boards depending on the exact model.
Recommended Parts to Check
No exact official OEM part number is listed here because the correct Whirlpool washer part can vary by complete model number. These are targeted part-category searches, not universal fit claims.
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Whirlpool washer drain pumpCommon replacement category: Drain pumpFit note: Exact OEM part number varies by complete Whirlpool washer model number. Confirm compatibility before buying.Why this category can matter: drain, no-spin, or water-removal symptoms after hose and filter checks.
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Whirlpool washer water inlet valveCommon replacement category: Water inlet valveFit note: Exact OEM part number varies by complete Whirlpool washer model number. Confirm compatibility before buying.Why this category can matter: fill, slow-fill, and valve-related symptoms after supply checks.
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Whirlpool washer control boardCommon replacement category: Main control boardFit note: Exact OEM part number varies by complete Whirlpool washer model number. Confirm compatibility before buying.Why this category can matter: repeating control or communication faults after connector checks.
Before ordering: match the part to the complete Whirlpool washer model number on the appliance tag.
Still Not Working?
If the replacement part didn’t fix the issue, you may have a wiring problem or main board failure.
When It’s Better to Replace Than Repair
Sometimes replacing an appliance makes more financial sense than putting more money into repairs.
Here are a few signs it may be time to shop for a new one:
For repair parts, verify exact fit with the full washer model number before buying; these links are general replacement-appliance shopping options.
- ✓Appliance over 8-10 years old
- ✓Repair cost over 50% of replacement
- ✓Multiple recent breakdowns
- ✓Major component failure
Recommended Replacement Options
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Browse all Whirlpool error codes: Whirlpool Error Codes
