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Washer Water level pressure sensor: What It Does and Signs It's Failing

The pressure sensor (a pressure switch on older machines) tells the control how much water is in the tub. It mounts behind the control panel and connects to the bottom of the tub through a thin air hose. With a bad reading, the washer can underfill, overfill or sit stuck between steps.

How it works

As the tub fills, water pushes air up the hose against a diaphragm in the sensor, and more water means more pressure. The control turns that pressure into a water level. A pinched, split or water-logged hose gives a false reading even when the sensor is fine.

Signs it is failing

• Washer overfills or won't stop filling
• Tub stays low on water
• Cycle stalls and won't move to the next step
• Drain problems or a water level code

Pressure sensor faults, overfill codes and some fill and drain timeouts involve this part or its air hose. A tub that never empties can upset the reading too, so rule out the drain.

Can you replace it yourself?

Check the drain path first. With the washer unplugged, the swap is usually the top or control panel off, one hose and one connector off, and the new sensor in. Look the air hose over while you're there for kinks, splits or water sitting in it.

Buying the right part

Sensors that look alike aren't always interchangeable, so go by the part number listed for your model. A stiff or cracked air hose is worth replacing at the same time.

Error codes linked to the water level pressure sensor

• E33 / F33Too much sudsBosch
• E:30Water level problem (read the number after the code)Bosch
• E26 / F26 / F27Water level (pressure) sensor faultBosch
• E11Water supply problem or slow fillElectrolux
• E30Water pressure sensor problemElectrolux
• E13Water or air leak detectedFrigidaire
• E31Pressure sensor not reportingFrigidaire
• E35Overfill detectedFrigidaire
• H2O SUPPLYWasher is not getting waterGE
• E23Washer overfilledGE
• FEWater level too highGE
• FETub has overfilledLG
• PEWater level reading problemLG
• F3E1Water level sensing problemMaytag
• LCWater leak or water level problemSamsung
• OCWasher is overfillingSamsung
• F3E1Can't read the water levelWhirlpool

Last reviewed 2026-10-19.