Whirlpool Washer rL — What It Means & How to Fix It
Also shown as F34 on some models.
rL appears when the washer detects laundry in the drum during the Clean Washer cycle, which is meant to run empty — remove everything and the cycle can continue.
What this code means
The Clean Washer (or Affresh) cycle is designed to run with an empty tub so the cleaner can scour the drum; rL means the load-sensing felt items inside and paused rather than wash them in tub cleaner. It is an instruction, not a fault — the machine is telling you to empty the drum.
rL is tied specifically to the Clean Washer cycle; some models display it as F34. If you see it on a normal wash rather than during tub cleaning, the load-sensing may be misreading — check your model's sheet.
Most likely causes
| Cause | How likely | DIY-fixable? |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry or objects left in the drum during the Clean Washer cycle | Very common | Yes — remove items |
| A stray item (cloth, sponge) overlooked in the tub | Common | Yes — check drum |
| Clean Washer cycle started by mistake with a load inside | Occasional | Yes — switch cycle |
| Load-sensing misreading an empty drum | Less common | Yes — reset |
What you can try yourself
- Open the washer and take everything out of the drum — the Clean Washer cycle has to run completely empty, with no laundry, cloths, or sponges inside.
- Add the tub cleaner as directed (an Affresh tablet or the cleaner your manual specifies), placing it in the drum, not the dispenser, unless told otherwise.
- Close up and restart the Clean Washer cycle; with the drum empty it should run through without rL.
- If you did not mean to run Clean Washer, cancel it and select a normal cycle for your laundry instead.
- If rL shows on a genuinely empty drum, unplug for two minutes to reset the load-sensing, then restart the cycle.
When to call a technician
- rL persists even with the drum confirmed empty and reset.
- The washer reads a load during normal cycles too, suggesting the sensing is off.
- The cycle will not start at all regardless of what you select.
Typical professional repair cost: Usually no cost — rL is a usage prompt. If load-sensing is faulty, diagnosis runs about $100–$200.
Frequently asked questions
What does rL mean on a Whirlpool washer?
It means the washer sensed items in the drum during the Clean Washer cycle, which must run empty. Take all laundry out, add the tub cleaner to the empty drum, and restart the cycle. The code is a reminder, not a malfunction.
Why does rL show when my Whirlpool drum is empty?
Occasionally the load-sensing misreads a residual amount of water or a light item like a sock stuck in the seal. Double-check the drum, then unplug the machine for a couple of minutes to reset the sensing before restarting the Clean Washer cycle.
Is rL the same as F34?
On many models they are the same thing — both flag items detected during the Clean Washer cycle. The fix is identical: empty the drum and run the tub-clean cycle with nothing inside. Check your model's display wording if you are unsure.
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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