What drn or F9 E1 Means
On the top-load HE platform Maytag shows drn, and on the front-load machines F9 E1, for the same thing: the washer started draining but the water did not leave within the time the control allows. Maytag treats this as a drain-path problem first, not a pump failure. The drum usually still has water in it when the code appears, so the cycle stops rather than spinning a soaking load.
Common Causes of drn or F9 E1
- Drain hose kinked, crushed or pushed too far into the standpipe
- Drain pump filter blocked with lint, coins or debris
- Standpipe or sink drain partly blocked
- Drain pump worn or failing
- Control board misreading the drain sensor
🔧 One Safe Check You Can Try
Leave the washer switched off at the wall while you look at the hose, because the pump can restart on its own when power is restored. Then trace the drain hose from the back of the machine to the standpipe or sink: it must not be kinked, crushed behind the cabinet, or pushed more than about 4.5 inches into the standpipe, and the standpipe itself has to be higher than the water level in the drum. On front-load models, open the small access panel at the bottom front, put a shallow tray and towels under it, and clean the drain pump filter - coins, hair clips and lint collect there and are the single most common cause. If the hose is clear and the filter is clean and the code returns, the pump or the control is the next suspect and that is a service call.
⚠ Why You Shouldn't Go Further Than That
- The pump can energise without warning while power is connected, so the machine has to be unplugged before anything is opened.
- A drum full of water will empty onto the floor if the filter cap is removed without a tray and towels ready.
Opening a panel to inspect or repair something yourself doesn't automatically cancel your manufacturer's warranty — but it can risk accidental damage, and some manufacturers do have specific service conditions. Check your product's warranty terms, or ask us, before deciding.