Speed Queen washers display two-part codes — “Er” followed by a two-letter code — that map to a documented list from Alliance Laundry Systems, the manufacturer. The most frequently seen are Er,nF (no water flow into the tub), Er,dL (door failed to stay locked), Er,vb (load out of balance) and Er,dr (drain error), and each has a specific, documented cause rather than being a generic fault.
The documented code list
| Code | What Alliance Laundry Systems (Speed Queen) documents it as |
|---|---|
| Er, nF / Er, FL | No water flow / fill error — fill level not reached within the expected time |
| Er, dL | Door Lock Fatal Error — door unlocked during a running cycle |
| Er, d1 | Door Lock Non-Fatal Error — door failed to lock within 20 seconds |
| Er, dU | Door Unlock Non-Fatal Error — door failed to unlock after the cycle finished |
| Er, vb | Non-Fatal Unbalance Error — washer unable to balance the load |
| Er, ub | Fatal Unbalance Error — unbalance switch wiring or hardware issue |
| Er, dr | Drain Error — water not draining below the empty level within 2 minutes |
| Er, oF | Overflow Error — unsafe high water level detected, unable to drain |
| Er, SL | Suds Lock Error — excess suds detected after suds-removal routines ran |
| Er, PS | Pressure Sensor Error — no valid water level sensor signal for 30 seconds |
| Er, bb | Broken Belt Error |
| PF | Power Fail Error — a delayed start was interrupted by a power failure |
Er, nF / Er, FL: Fill or no water flow
This code appears when the tub does not reach its expected fill level within the documented time window. Per Alliance’s own troubleshooting guidance, check: water supply faucets are fully open, fill hoses are not kinked or twisted, the inlet filter screens are not clogged with sediment (common with well water or hard water), and incoming water pressure is within the 20–120 psi range the machine expects.
Er, dL / Er, d1 / Er, dU: Door lock codes
- Er, dL (door unlocked mid-cycle)
Cycle power to the machine to clear it, then check the door lock and latch for physical damage and the door lock wire harness for a loose or damaged connection.
- Er, d1 (door failed to lock)
First confirm the door is fully closed — overloading the machine or worn shocks can keep it from closing properly. If it still fails to lock, inspect the lock and latch hardware.
- Er, dU (door failed to unlock)
Removing power for 3 minutes allows the lock to release automatically on most models. Press on the door and then pull to release it — pressure from a full load can itself prevent the latch from releasing.
Er, vb / Er, ub: Unbalance codes
Er,vb (non-fatal) means the washer could not balance the load enough to spin safely — redistribute the items, and if it is a single large or water-resistant item, add more items so the load balances better. Confirm the machine is properly leveled and check for broken shocks. Er,ub (fatal) points to a wiring or hardware fault in the unbalance switch itself rather than the load, and needs inspection of that switch and its wiring.
Er, dr / Er, oF: Drain and overflow
Er,dr appears when the control cannot get the water below the empty level within 2 minutes of starting to drain — check the drain hose and pump for a clog or obstruction, and confirm the drain hose meets the machine’s height restrictions. Er,oF is the opposite problem: an unsafe high water level that will not drain, often from a stuck water valve, a stuck pump, or (commonly on pump machines) a small item lodged in the pump’s propeller.
Other documented codes
Er,SL (suds lock) is resolved by reducing detergent used and checking that the drum spins freely with nothing lodged between drum and tub. Er,PS (pressure sensor) points to the harness or sensor between the user control and the pressure sensor. Er,bb means a broken belt has been detected and needs replacement. PF simply means a delayed-start cycle was interrupted by a power failure — no repair is needed, just press Power/Cancel to continue.
How to clear a code once resolved
Alliance Laundry Systems documents most of these codes as clearing once the machine is fully powered down and back up after the underlying cause is addressed — a small number (like Er,SL or Er,Sd) clear instead by pressing the Power/Cancel keypad. If a code returns immediately after a clean power cycle, treat that as confirmation the underlying part, not just a momentary glitch, needs attention.
When to call a technician
Codes describing a hardware failure directly — drive board errors (the “Ed” series), a broken belt, or an unbalance switch fault — point to a part needing replacement rather than something resolved by cleaning or adjustment.
Stop and call a qualified appliance technician or electrician if you find scorched or melted wiring, smell burning, see water that has reached electrical components, or if the fault returns immediately after a repair. Never bypass a safety device — thermal fuses, door interlocks and flood switches fail for a reason, and defeating one converts a broken appliance into a fire or flood risk.
