F18 is the washer pausing to deal with foam
F18 means excessive foam, or suds, interrupted the program. Whirlpool notes that the washer may pause several times until the foam has been reduced, so a long, stop-start cycle is part of the same story. The usual source is too much detergent for the water and the load, but foam can also come from residue in the clothes or the machine. Clearing the suds now and dosing less next time usually ends it.
Error codes
Reference| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| F18 | Excessive foam formation, or suds, interrupted the program/cycle. This interruption may be repeated several times until foam is adequately reduced. |
What foam trouble looks like
- Stop-start progress — The cycle pauses, drains or rinses, then carries on while the time remaining stretches.
- Suds behind the glass — Foam fills the door window or creeps up from the bottom of the drum.
- Bubbles at the dispenser — Foam may push back up into the detergent drawer.
- Slippery, soapy laundry — Clothes come out feeling soapy or needing an extra rinse.
- Residue on dark fabrics — Pale streaks on dark items point to more detergent than the water could rinse away.
Where the foam comes from
- Too much detergent — Measuring by eye or filling the cap to the top is the most common reason.
- Detergent not made for high-efficiency washers — Regular detergent foams far more than an HE formula in the low water of a modern washer.
- Soft water — Soft water lathers easily, so the same dose produces more suds than in a hard-water area.
- Residue in the load or the drum — Towels washed with too much detergent before, or a drum coated with old residue, can release foam on the next cycle.
- A small load with a full dose — A light load needs less detergent than the dose printed for a full drum.
Narrowing down the cause
- Check the detergent label — Look for the HE symbol, which marks detergent made for low-water washers.
- Look at how much you use — Compare your usual dose with the line on the cap or the instructions on the pack.
- Think about the load — Note whether the load was small, lightly soiled or a batch of new towels.
- Consider your water — If soap lathers very easily in your home, you probably have soft water and need less detergent.
- Check for extra products — Pre-wash sprays, bath products on towels or a second dose in the drum all add suds.
Owner steps for F18
- Let the washer work — Allow the pauses to run their course, because the washer is reducing the foam itself.
About 15 min
- Run a rinse — Once the cycle ends, run a rinse and spin setting with no detergent to clear what is left.
About 20 min
- Rinse soapy items again — If the clothes still feel soapy, rinse them once more rather than drying them that way.
About 20 min
- Cut the next dose — Use less detergent next time, starting at the lowest line on the cap for light or small loads.
Tools: measuring capAbout 1 min
- Clean out residue — If foam keeps coming back, run the Clean Washer cycle, if your model has one, with an empty drum.
About 60 min
Safety while clearing suds
Safety
Do not try to open the door to scoop foam out while the washer is running, and never force a locked door. If foam or water escapes onto the floor, unplug the washer with dry hands, or switch it off at the breaker if the outlet is wet, and mop up before restarting. Keep detergent pods and liquids out of reach of children.
When F18 needs a technician
Book a technician if F18 appears with an HE detergent at a reduced dose, on a load without residue, and after a cleaning cycle. Persistent foam alarms with correct dosing can point to a drain or sensing problem that needs testing. Mention the detergent, the dose and how often the code appears.
Other Whirlpool washer codes
Washers this covers
The guidance applies to Whirlpool washers that show F18. Detergent advice depends on your model, your water and the product you use, so check the pack and your owner's manual.
Whirlpool washer symptoms
Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 12 years experience
Experienced technician with 12 years specializing in washing machine and dryer repairs across all major brands.
