Maytag Washer F0E3 Error — Overload Fix

What it means

Maytag washer F0E3 error means the drum is overloaded.
Remove some laundry until the drum is no more than three-quarters full, press Pause/Cancel to clear the code, and restart.

Affected Models

Maytag Front Load Washer
Maytag Top Load Washer
Maytag Maxima Washer
Maytag Bravos Washer
Maytag Centennial Washer

Common Causes

Too much laundry in the drum — motor overloaded
Washing heavy items like duvets that absorb water and exceed drum capacity
Incorrect load size setting on models with manual selection
Repeated past overloading causing worn motor mounts

How to Fix It

Remove laundry to reduce the load.

Open the door and remove items until the drum is loosely three-quarters full.
You should be able to fit your hand flat on top of the laundry with room to spare.
Press Pause/Cancel to clear the error.

Press Pause/Cancel once or twice to clear the F0E3 code.
Reselect the wash program and restart.
Wash heavy items separately.

Duvets, heavy coats, and large bath towels absorb a lot of water and can easily exceed drum capacity mid-cycle.
Wash these items alone or in small batches.

When to Call a Professional

If F0E3 appears consistently on a correctly loaded machine, the motor or motor control board may be faulty.
Have a technician inspect before replacing parts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much laundry can I put in a Maytag washer without triggering F0E3?

Fill the drum loosely to three-quarters capacity. For a typical 4.5 cu ft Maytag washer, that is approximately one full duvet or a mixed load of 12–14 adult clothing items. Do not pack laundry tightly into the drum.

My Maytag washer shows F0E3 even with a small load — why?

If F0E3 appears with a small load, check whether heavy saturated items are sitting heavily in the drum. Also verify the motor mounts — repeated overloading in the past can damage them, causing the error to appear with lighter loads.