What to do now
Cancel the Clean Washer cycle and remove any items from the drum before restarting it.
Error code
Whirlpool Front Load Washer Error rL / F34: Meaning, Safe Checks and Official Source
Items were detected in the washer during the Clean Washer cycle. Cancel the Clean Washer cycle and remove any items from the drum before restarting it. Do not keep running the appliance if the code returns or a safety sign appears.
Applies to: Whirlpool front-load washer support article scope.Confidence HIGHLast verified 2026-07-25
Applies to
- Whirlpool front-load washers covered by the cited Product Help article
- Displayed rL or F34 code during the Clean Washer cycle in that front-load scope
Region: United States. This page does not generalize the code to every Whirlpool washer.
What the code means
The washer is trying to run the Clean Washer cycle while detecting items inside the drum. This is a cycle-condition warning, not proof of a failed component.
Confirmed: Whirlpool documents rL or F34 for front-load washers when items are detected during the Clean Washer cycle. The official correction is to remove items from the drum and restart that cleaning cycle.
Can you keep using it?
Only after safe supply checks and only if the code clears.
When to stop
Stop using the cycle if the door will not unlock, the drum contains trapped items, water remains unexpectedly, or the code returns with an empty drum.
When to call a professional
Contact service if the Clean Washer cycle still reports rL or F34 after the drum is empty and the door area is clear.
Safe checks
- Wait until the drum has fully stopped before opening the door.
- Remove clothing or objects from the drum.
- Restart only the Clean Washer cycle after the drum is empty.
Confirmed by the manufacturer
- Items were detected in the washer during the Clean Washer cycle.
- The washer needs the drum emptied before that cycle is restarted.
Commonly associated with this fault
- A towel, garment or forgotten item left in the drum is compatible with the official rL/F34 explanation.
Not confirmed for this exact model
- A sensor, lock or control fault is not confirmed by the cited rL/F34 row and should be considered only if the code returns with an empty drum.
Reset instructions
Whirlpool says to remove items from the drum and restart the Clean Washer cycle.
Use the restart after the drum is empty. If rL or F34 returns with nothing inside, stop repeating the cycle.
Information to collect before calling service
Record the model label, whether the code displayed rL or F34, what was inside the drum, and whether the code returned after an empty-drum restart.
Official source
For Whirlpool front-load washers, rL or F34 is documented when items are detected in the washer during the Clean Washer cycle; the listed action is to remove items and restart that cycle.
- Source
- Whirlpool Product Help (A)
- Section
- Front-load article table
- Last checked
- 2026-07-21