Amana Washer F8 E1 Error Code — What It Means
F8 E1 on Amana top-load and front-load washers (also shown as Lo FL on some front-loaders) means the control board is not detecting the correct amount of incoming water within the expected fill time. The washer expects a normal fill cycle but is seeing too little water entering the tub. This is a water-supply or incoming-water fault, not a drain or spin problem.
Common Causes
- Hot or cold water supply turned off One or both shut-off valves behind the washer are not fully open, starving the machine of water pressure.
- Supply hoses kinked, crushed, or restricted The fill hoses are bent sharply, pinched against the wall, or clogged internally with mineral deposits or debris.
- Clogged inlet screens The small mesh screens on the back of the water inlet valve are blocked by sediment or mineral buildup, reducing flow.
- Hot and cold hoses connected incorrectly Red (hot) and blue (cold) hoses are swapped or attached to the wrong inlets, confusing the fill routine.
- Anti-flood device installed A flood-safe or anti-flood hose restrictor is in place and limiting water flow below what the washer needs.
- Drain hose installed incorrectly The drain hose is inserted too far into the standpipe or sealed air-tight, causing siphoning that pulls incoming water back out.
Step-by-Step Fix
- Verify both supply valves are fully open. Walk behind the washer and turn the hot and cold shut-off valves counter-clockwise all the way to confirm full flow.
- Check hose connections. Make sure the red hose is connected to the hot inlet and the blue hose to the cold inlet, and that neither hose is kinked, crushed, or pinched between the washer and the wall.
- Inspect and clean the inlet screens. Turn off the water supply, disconnect both fill hoses from the back of the washer, and look at the small mesh screens inside each inlet port on the valve body. Use a soft brush and mild soap to gently clean any debris or mineral buildup without removing the screens.
- Remove any anti-flood hose devices. If flood-safe restrictors or auto-shutoff adapters are installed on the hoses, take them off and connect the hoses directly to the household supply for best flow.
- Check drain-hose installation. Confirm the drain hose is inserted no more than 4.5 inches into the standpipe and is not sealed or taped air-tight, so air can enter and prevent siphoning.
- Test for adequate household water pressure. Disconnect one fill hose and run water into a bucket for 15 seconds. You should see strong flow from both hot and cold taps. Weak flow points to a plumbing issue upstream.
- Replace the water inlet valve if all else checks out. When supply pressure is good, hoses are clear, screens are clean, and the drain is correct but the F8 E1 persists, the inlet valve solenoids or the valve body itself are likely failed and should be replaced.
Parts Often Needed
| Part | Notes |
|---|---|
| Water inlet valve assembly | Amazon | Replacement valve body and solenoids when screens and hoses are clean but the washer still won’t fill properly. |
| Inlet fill hoses (pair, hot and cold) | Amazon | New hoses if the originals are kinked, cracked, or internally clogged with mineral deposits. |
When to Call a Pro
Call a professional if you have confirmed both shut-off valves are open, the hoses are clear, the inlet screens are clean, and the drain hose is correctly installed, but the F8 E1 code returns every cycle. A technician can test household water pressure at the valve, measure solenoid resistance and voltage, and replace the water inlet valve assembly safely. Also call if you are uncomfortable working with water connections or if the washer shares complex plumbing with other appliances.