Whirlpool Electric water heater Error Codes: Full List & Meanings

Every Whirlpool electric water heater error code in the Whirlpool electric water heater error-code chart, as published by Sears PartsDirect, with its meaning. Codes vary by model, so confirm in your owner's manual. Support: Whirlpool: 1-866-698-2538.

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Codes by system

Power supply

Heating

All Whirlpool electric water heater error codes

Codes marked "Reset only" or "Service" have no separate page because the manufacturer publishes no owner fix beyond a reset or a service call.

Code	Meaning	System	Owner action
E01	Electrical power on with the tank empty or not completely full of water. This typically takes 8 minutes.	Power supply	Owner checks
E02	Water temperature exceeded high limit.	Heating	Service
E03	Upper thermistor sensor failure.	Heating	Service
E04	Upper element failure. The heating element should measure 5-25 ohms of resistance.	Heating	Service
E05	Lower element failure. The heating element should measure 5-25 ohms of resistance.	Heating	Service
E06	Electronic thermostat failure.	Heating	Service
E07	Lower thermistor sensor failure.	Heating	Service
E08	Energy smart module failure (ESM). The water heater electronic thermostat will continue to operate and hot water will still be available.	Heating	Service
E9	Electronic thermostat (ET) error. Also: E10, E11, E12	Heating	Owner checks

Symptoms

Sources

Sears PartsDirect: Whirlpool electric water heater error-code chart (third-party copy of manufacturer service data)

Last reviewed: October 20, 2026. ErrorCodePro is not affiliated with Whirlpool.