Speed Queen builds its washers with commercial-grade parts, and they are designed to run for roughly 25 years, far longer than a typical home machine. Even so, a tough washer still has an off day.
When yours flashes an error, it is not falling apart. The code is the machine telling you exactly which part it does not like, using plain text on front loaders or blinking status lights on top loaders.
This guide lists every Speed Queen error code, front load and top load, explains what each one means, and gives you the fix to try before you call for service.
Key Takeaways
- Plain-text codes: Speed Queen front loaders spell faults out as readable text like dL, dr, FL, and nF, so you rarely need the manual to decode them.
- Top loaders use lights: models without a screen flash the Wash, Rinse, Spin, and Lid Lock lights in set patterns, and you count the flashes to find the fault.
- Most codes are simple: the common Speed Queen errors point to a door or lid lock, a blocked drain, a closed water valve, or an unbalanced load.
- Reset first: unplug the washer for about a minute to clear a temporary fault, but a code that comes straight back means a real part needs attention.
How to Read Speed Queen Error Codes
How you read the fault depends on your model. Front-load washers with a digital display spell it out as plain text on the control panel, so you might see something like “Er, do” or “PR” rather than a cryptic number. That readable-text approach is one reason Speed Queen codes are easier to act on than most brands.
Top-load models without a screen use blinking lights instead. The “Wash,” “Rinse,” “Spin,” or “Lid Lock” lights flash in a set sequence, and you count those flashes to identify which error the machine is reporting.
Speed Queen Front Load Error Codes
Here are the most common codes on front-loading machines, with the actionable steps to clear each one.
Code Er, do
- What It Means: The door was opened during the cycle.
- How to Fix It: Close the door firmly and make sure the lock engages. If the door is physically broken, check the latch for debris. Once it is clear, restart the cycle.
Code Er, dL
- What It Means: Door lock error. The washer cannot confirm the door is locked, so the cycle will not start, or it stops and drains if dL appears partway through.
- How to Fix It: Open and close the door again and listen for the distinct click of the lock. Unplug the machine for 15 seconds to reset the sensor, then restart.
Code Er, dr
- What It Means: Drain error. The water is taking too long to drain, or water remains in the drum after the spin cycle.
- How to Fix It: Check the drain hose for kinks or clogs. Make sure the drain pipe is not submerged in water. Clean the debris trap, then unplug the washer for 15 seconds to reset.
Code Er, FL
- What It Means: Fill error. The washer failed to reach the proper water level within 30 minutes of the fill cycle.
- How to Fix It: Verify that your home water valves are fully open. Check the inlet hoses for kinks. Clean the mesh screens on the water inlet valve, since sediment often blocks flow there.
Code Er, nF
- What It Means: “No Fill” error. The machine sees no change in water level for five minutes. Speed Queen senses the hot and cold supply separately, so a single closed tap can trigger nF even when the other one is wide open.
- How to Fix It: Make sure BOTH the hot and cold taps are turned on. Inspect the hoses for twists, then disconnect them and clean the filter screens. Unplug the machine for 15 seconds before retrying.
Code Er, OF
- What It Means: Overflow error. The water level is too high, and the machine is pumping water out for safety.
- How to Fix It: Check the air tube connected to the pressure switch for blockages. If the machine keeps filling while unplugged, the water inlet valve is defective and needs replacement.
Code Er, PS
- What It Means: Pressure sensor error. The machine cannot read the water level accurately.
- How to Fix It: Inspect the wiring harness between the main control board and the pressure sensor. If the wiring looks good, the pressure sensor likely needs replacement.
Code Er, dU
- What It Means: Door unlock error. The door is stuck in the locked position.
- How to Fix It: Unplug the machine and wait three minutes for the thermal lock to cool down. Turn the power back on and try the door again.
Code Er, ub
- What It Means: Unbalanced load. The washer limits spin speed to protect itself from damage.
- How to Fix It: Open the door and redistribute the laundry by hand. Spread heavy items like towels around the drum and avoid washing a single bulky item alone. Close the door and restart the spin.
Code PR
- What It Means: Pressure switch sequence issue. The sensor is reading a water level when the drum should be empty.
- How to Fix It: Turn off and unplug the washer. Wait 15 seconds and plug it back in. If the code persists, the pressure switch or control board may need service.
Code Er, SL
- What It Means: Suds lock. The machine detects too many suds to spin through.
- How to Fix It: Let the machine finish its clear-out routine. Next time, use High-Efficiency (HE) detergent and reduce the amount you pour in.
Code Sr
- What It Means: The Suds Removal routine is running.
- How to Fix It: Do nothing. The washer is automatically running a cycle to flush out excess foam, so just wait for it to finish.
Code Er, OC
- What It Means: Shorted temperature sensor. The control board is reading a water temperature above 212 degrees Fahrenheit, which is not physically possible, so it flags the thermistor as faulty.
- How to Fix It: Unplug the washer and inspect the wiring to the temperature sensor for a pinched or melted wire. If the harness looks intact, the thermistor itself has failed and needs replacement.
Code Er, BS
- What It Means: Drive board fault. The washer found a serious problem in the motor-drive electronics, the inverter board that turns the drum.
- How to Fix It: Unplug the machine for a full minute and try again. If BS returns right away, this is a hardware failure rather than a glitch, and the drive board needs testing or replacement by a technician.
Speed Queen Top Load Error Codes
Top-loading machines signal faults with blinking status lights, so watch them closely and count the flashes.
Wash and Spin Lights Flash Twice
- What It Means: The drum could not reach full speed during the final spin.
- How to Fix It: This usually comes from an unbalanced load or a drain problem. Redistribute the clothes evenly around the agitator and check the drain hose for clogs.
Wash and Rinse Lights Flash
The “Wash” and “Rinse” lights together point to a pressure or fill issue, and the number of flashes tells you which one.
Flashes Once
- What It Means: Pressure sensor error.
- How to Fix It: Check the clear tube attached to the pressure switch for holes or blockages. Unplug the machine to reset it. If it continues, call for service.
Flashes Twice
- What It Means: No water flow or a fill error, which is the most common flashing-light complaint owners report.
- How to Fix It: Verify the water taps are open and clean the inlet valve screens. Also make sure the drain hose is not siphoning water out as fast as the tub fills.
Flashes Three Times
- What It Means: Over-sudsing condition.
- How to Fix It: The machine is struggling to spin through the foam. Use less detergent next time and switch to an HE-rated soap.
On Continuously
- What It Means: Overflow or standing-water error.
- How to Fix It: The pump will run automatically to remove the water. Inspect the drain system for blocks. If the machine pumps nonstop even when empty, the pressure switch tube may be disconnected.
Rinse and Lid Lock Lights Flash
This pairing points specifically to the lid mechanism.
Flashes Twice
- What It Means: Lid lock fault. The lid unlocked unexpectedly.
- How to Fix It: Clear any debris from the latch area, close the lid firmly, and restart.
Flashes Three Times
- What It Means: The lid was open during a cycle.
- How to Fix It: Close the lid. If it is already closed but the error persists, the magnet in the lid or the reed switch in the cabinet may be misaligned or broken.
How to Reset a Speed Queen Washer
If you fixed the underlying issue but the lights keep flashing, perform a hard reset. This clears the fault stored in the onboard computer.
Follow these steps:
- Power down: Turn the washing machine knob to the “Off” position.
- Unplug: Pull the plug from the wall outlet or flip the circuit breaker.
- Wait: Leave the machine without power for at least 5 minutes. This discharges the capacitors on the control board.
- Restart: Plug the machine back in and start a new cycle.
A reset will not fix a broken part. If the code returns immediately, you still have a mechanical or electrical fault to track down.
FAQs
Fixing Speed Queen Problems
Speed Queen washers are built to outlast the competition, and their error codes are part of the reason. Instead of quietly failing, the machine tells you which part needs attention, which often turns a service call into a quick fix.
Work through the code above, try the reset, and check the simple things first: the taps, the hoses, the drain filter, and how the load is balanced. If the code clears, you are done. If it comes straight back, write down the exact code and check your warranty tier, because a covered repair may cost you nothing.
