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Appliance Error Codes

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How to Find Your Appliance Model Number Before You Fix It

Where the model and serial number label sits on washers, dryers, dishwashers and refrigerators, how to read it, and why every part and code depends on it.

By Appliance Error Codes editorial teamUpdated 3 min readHow we research

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A front-load washer and dryer side by side in a laundry room

The model number is on a label inside the appliance, usually seen only with a door or lid open. Whirlpool puts it inside the door rim on front-load washers and dryers and under the lid on top-load washers. Dishwashers carry it on the tub frame or door edge, refrigerators inside the fresh food section.

Find it before you look up a code, call a technician or order a part. Codes can mean different things on different models of the same brand, and parts that look alike often do not fit.

Where to look, by appliance

The locations below come from Whirlpool’s and GE Appliances’ help pages and Bosch’s manual. Other brands use similar spots, but check the owner’s manual if the label is not where this table says.

Appliance Where the label is Source
Front-load washer Inside the door, on the rim of the opening (Whirlpool); inside the door panel, or the lower right side of the cabinet (GE) Whirlpool, GE
Top-load washer Under the lid on the tub rim (Whirlpool); under the lid near the right hinge, or the back of the control panel (GE) Whirlpool, GE
Dryer Inside the door, on the rim of the opening (Whirlpool); on the face of the opening, left or right side, door open (GE) Whirlpool, GE
Built-in dishwasher Left side of the tub frame (Whirlpool); the front inside edge, or the side edge of the door (GE); rating plate inside the door (Bosch) Whirlpool, GE, Bosch
Top-freezer refrigerator Inside the fridge section, left-hand side Whirlpool
Side-by-side refrigerator Inside the fridge section, right-hand side Whirlpool
Bottom-freezer or French door refrigerator Inside the fridge section, left-hand side (Whirlpool); on a side wall near the top (GE) Whirlpool, GE
A hand turning the cycle dial of a stacked front-load washer
On a stacked pair, each machine has its own label: open each door to find it.

How to read the label

A model and serial label usually has:

  • Model number, often marked “Model”, “MOD” or “M/N”. On Bosch dishwashers, the model is the E-Nr. on the rating plate, and the label also shows a production number (FD).
  • Serial number, marked “Serial”, “SER” or “S/N”.
  • Electrical ratings such as voltage and amps.

GE notes that its model numbers start and end with a letter, and that newer GE labels may carry a QR code. Write the numbers down exactly, or take a clear photo: 0 and O, 1 and I, 8 and B are easy to mix up on a small sticker.

Good to know

Some parts carry their own model number. Samsung tells owners to check the model number printed on the existing refrigerator water filter (such as HAF-CIN or HAF-QIN) to choose the replacement.

Safe ways to reach the label

Safety

Open doors and lids only; you never need to remove a panel to read a model label. If the label is on the back or side of a washer or dryer, unplug it before you pull it out from the wall, and on a gas dryer, move it gently so the gas connection is not strained. If you smell gas, leave and call the gas utility from outside.

What to do with the number

  1. Look up the manual. Search the maker’s support site for the model number to get the owner’s manual, which lists the codes for that exact model.
  2. Read the code page. On this site, start with your brand: LG, Samsung, Bosch or Whirlpool. Popular pages include LG dryer d80, Whirlpool F9 E1, Samsung refrigerator codes and LG dishwasher codes.
  3. Match parts to the number, not to the code. A listing that names your model number, or a part number from your model’s parts list, is the one to trust.
  4. Give it to the technician along with the code, so they can bring the right part on the first visit.

Washing machine inlet hoses

Shop washing machine inlet hoses

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While the washer is pulled out to read its label, look at the inlet hoses too. LG’s fill-code steps say to replace hoses that are kinked or damaged.

Frequently asked questions

Is the model number the same as the serial number?

No. The model number names the design and decides which parts and manual fit. The serial number identifies your one appliance, and the maker uses it for warranty and build-date questions. The label usually shows both; give a technician both.

Where is the model number on a dishwasher?

Usually on the edge of the tub or the door, visible when the door is open. Whirlpool says on the left side of the tub frame for built-in models; GE lists the left or right front inside edge, or the right side edge of the door; Bosch puts its rating plate inside the door.

Can I use the code alone to order a part?

No. A code tells you which system has a problem, not which part fits. Even a drain pump differs between models of the same brand, so match the part number to your model number in the maker's parts list or the listing's fit notes before you buy.

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