Whirlpool Washer HC — What It Means & How to Fix It
HC means the hot and cold inlet hoses are reversed — turn off the water, swap the hoses, and run another cycle to confirm.
What this code means
Whirlpool defines HC as hot and cold hoses reversed. The code appears at the end of the wash cycle to tell you the cold hose is on the hot inlet and the hot hose is on the cold inlet. The washer still completes the cycle; it is reporting an installation mistake rather than a broken part.
Shown on Whirlpool top-load HE washers. Models that use F#E# codes may report reversed hoses as F3E2 or F8E6 instead.
Most likely causes
| Cause | How likely | DIY-fixable? |
|---|---|---|
| Fill hoses crossed during installation or after moving the washer | Very common | Yes — pliers, 15 min |
| Faucets plumbed the opposite way round to their markings | Occasional | Yes — swap at the washer |
| Temperature sensing fault with hoses correct | Less common | No — technician job |
What you can try yourself
- Turn off both water faucets.
- Unscrew the two hoses from the back of the washer, catching the drips in a towel.
- Reattach them the other way round — hot supply to the hot inlet, cold to cold — and tighten.
- Open the faucets and look for leaks at each coupling.
- Run another cycle and check that HC does not appear at the end.
When to call a technician
- HC still shows after the hoses have been swapped.
- A coupling leaks and will not seal.
- Water from the faucet marked cold runs hot — a plumbing fault upstream of the washer.
Typical professional repair cost: Free to fix. New fill hoses, if yours are worn, cost $15–$30 a pair.
Frequently asked questions
What does HC stand for on a Whirlpool washer?
Hot and cold — specifically that the hot and cold inlet hoses have been installed on the wrong inlets.
When does the HC code appear?
Whirlpool says it appears at the end of the wash cycle.
Do I need a plumber for HC?
Usually not. Whirlpool's fix is to turn off the water supply, reverse the hoses and run another cycle.
Sources checked
Error meanings can vary by model. This guide was checked against the documentation above; use the manual for the model number on your own appliance when it differs.
Related Whirlpool codes
- Whirlpool Washer F9 E1 The washer took too long to drain — check the drain hose setup and the pump filter; the 'hose pushed too far down the standpipe' mistake causes a surprising share of these.
- Whirlpool Washer F5 E2 The washer tried to lock its door and couldn't — usually an obstruction or grime in the latch, sometimes a worn lock assembly that needs replacing.
- Whirlpool Washer SD Too much foam — the washer paused its cycle to break down excess suds, which almost always traces back to detergent amount or type rather than a fault.
- Whirlpool Washer F8 E1 Your Whirlpool washer isn't detecting water coming in — usually a supply problem (taps, hoses, screens) rather than anything wrong inside the machine.
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