Amana washers are known for their quality and reliability, but even the best washing machines fail sometimes.
A system reset is often the best solution.
There are a couple of ways to reset an Amana washer, depending on the model. The simplest is to turn off the power, then unplug the machine. Press and hold the Start or Pause button for 5 seconds, and plug the washer back in. At that point, the machine will reset.
Table of Contents
1. Power Cycle Your Amana Washer
There are various ways to reset an Amana washer.
We’ll start with the simplest method first.
Begin by turning the machine off with the power button, then unplugging it from the wall.
Next, press and hold the Start or Pause button for five seconds.
Plug the washer back in, and it should work normally.
Otherwise, keep reading.
2. Alternative Reset Method
Some top-loading Amana washers require a different reset method.
Start by unplugging the washer from the wall.
Be careful around the plug; if there’s any water on or around it, it’s safer to trip the circuit breaker.
Now, wait for a minute.
Use a timer if you have to; 50 seconds won’t be long enough.
Once enough time has passed, you can plug the washer back in.
When you plug in the washer, it will begin a 30-second countdown.
During that time, you have to raise and lower the washer lid six times.
If you take too long, the reset process won’t complete.
Make sure to lift the lid far enough to trigger the sensor switch; several inches should do the trick.
Along the same lines, make sure to close the lid all the way every time.
Once you’ve opened and closed the lid six times, the system should reset.
At that point, you’ll be able to adjust your settings and use your washer.
Why is my Amana Washer Malfunctioning?
Sometimes, a reset doesn’t solve the problem.
Let’s talk about some other ways you can fix your washer.
- Check the electrical connection – It sounds silly, but check your breaker box. The circuit breaker may have tripped, which means your washer has no power. It also doesn’t hurt to check the outlet. Plug a lamp or phone charger into it and make sure you’re getting power.
- Check your settings – Your washer won’t operate if you’ve chosen two settings that are incompatible with each other. For example, Permanent Press uses a combination of warm and cold water to reduce wrinkles. It won’t work with a hot wash cycle.
- Open and close the door – Sometimes, front-loading washers feel like they’re closed when they’re not. Since the door sensor won’t allow the washer to begin a cycle, it becomes non-responsive. Closing the door properly will fix this problem.
- Look at your timer and delayed start – Some Amana washers include a timer function or delayed start. Check your settings to see if you’ve activated one of those features by mistake. If you have, your washer is just waiting for the right time to start. You can cancel the wash cycle, change to a normal start, and restart your washer.
- Double-check your child lock – Many washers have a control lock function to keep inquisitive little fingers from messing with your machine. There should be an indicator light to let you know when this setting is active. Press and hold the lock button for 3 seconds, and you can use the washer normally. Some washers use a combination of buttons for the child lock; check your manual to be sure.
- Inspect your anti-flooding device – Some people install an anti-flooding device between the water supply and your washer intake. Verify that it’s working correctly and hasn’t shut off your supply altogether. If in doubt, you can always contact the manufacturer.
How to Diagnose a Malfunctioning Amana Washer
Amana washers come with a diagnostic mode.
In this mode, they will display a code that tells you the cause of your malfunction.
To access this mode, you’ll first need to clear your settings.
Set the dial to 12 o’clock, then turn it a full circle counterclockwise.
If you did this correctly, all the lights will be off.
Now, turn the dial one click to the left, three clicks to the right, one click to the left, and one click to the right.
At this point, the cycle status lights should all illuminate.
Turn the dial one more click to the right and the Cycle Complete light will light up.
Press the Start button, and you’ll finally be in diagnostic mode.
Turn the dial one click to the right again.
Your diagnostic code should display.
Amana Front Load Washer Diagnostic Codes
What follows is a list of the most common Amana washer diagnostic codes.
It’s far from exhaustive, and some models have special codes that are unique to that model.
You’ll find a complete list in your owner’s manual.
You’ll always need your manual for reading top-load washer codes.
They use patterns of light and can be tough to figure out.
dET – The washer doesn’t detect a detergent cartridge in the dispenser.
Make sure your cartridge is fully seated and the drawer is all the way shut.
You can ignore this code if you’re not using a cartridge.
E1F7 – The motor is not able to reach the required speed.
On a new washer, confirm that all the retaining bolts from shipping have been removed.
This code can also trigger because the washer is overloaded.
Try taking some clothes out and clearing the code.
You can do this by pushing the Pause or Cancel button twice and the Power button one time.
E2F5 – The door isn’t closed all the way.
Make sure it’s unobstructed and closed all the way.
You can clear this code the same way you’d clear the E1F7 code.
F34 or rL – You tried to run a Clean Washer cycle, but there was something in the washer.
Double-check the inside of your machine for stray clothes.
F8E1 or LO FL – The washer has an insufficient supply of water.
Double-check your water supplies, and make sure both the hot and cold taps are completely open.
Look at the hose and confirm that there are no kinks.
If you have well power, check a nearby faucet to make sure you haven’t lost pressure in the entire system.
F8E2 – Your detergent dispenser isn’t working.
Make sure it’s not clogged, and check any cartridges to make sure they’re properly seated.
This code only appears on a handful of models.
F9E1 – The washer is taking too long to drain.
Inspect your drain hose for any kinking or clogging, and make sure the drain hose rises to the correct height.
On most Amana front-loaders, the height requirements range from 39” to 96”.
Outside of that range, the washer won’t drain properly.
Int – The washing cycle was interrupted.
After pausing or canceling a cycle, a front-load washer can take up to 30 minutes to drain.
During this time, you won’t be able to do anything else.
You can clear this code by pressing the Pause or Cancel button twice, then pressing the Power button one time.
If that doesn’t work, unplug the washer and plug it back in.
LC or LOC – The child lock is active.
Press and hold the lock button for 3 seconds, and it will deactivate.
On some models, you’ll have to press a combination of buttons.
Sd or Sud – The washing machine is excessively sudsy.
When this happens, the spin cycle won’t be able to get all of the suds out.
Instead, the machine will continue the rinse cycle until the suds have broken up.
This can happen several times if the suds are very bad.
Use high-efficiency detergent to reduce suds, and avoid using no-splash chlorine bleach.
The same thickening agents that prevent splashing also create suds in your water.
Check your drain hose if you don’t see any suds.
If it’s clogged or kinked, it can trigger the same codes as suds.
Other codes beginning in F or E – You can solve most of these errors by unplugging the washer and plugging it back in.
Choose the same cycle and attempt to start it.
If the code continues to display, you’ll need to call a technician or Amana customer support.
In Summary – How to Reset an Amana Washer
Performing an Amana washer reset takes less than a minute.
For many errors, that’s all that’s required to resolve your problem.
Sometimes, the solution is less simple.
You have to go into diagnostic mode and decipher an error code.
From there, it all depends on the cause of the malfunction.
Some issues are easy to fix, while others require an experienced technician.
FAQs
How do I reset an Amana washer?
You can reset most Amana washers in four easy steps:
- Turn the washer off using the Power button.
- Unplug it from your wall outlet.
- Press and hold the Start or Pause button for 5 seconds.
- Plug the machine back in.
On some top-loading washers, you have to unplug the washer and plug it back in.
Then quickly open and close the lid 6 times within 30 seconds.
How do I reset my Amana washer’s lid lock?
Unplug the washer and leave it unplugged for 3 minutes.
Plug it back in, then press and hold the Cycle Signal or End of Cycle button for 20 seconds.
This will reset the sensor and turn off the blinking light.
Why won’t my Amana washer finish the wash cycle?
An Amana washer will stop working if it senses that the door is open.
Double-check the door to make sure it’s closed all the way, and inspect the latch to make sure it’s secure.