Kenmore Washer Error Code F50

F50 means the motor has stalled and the rotor position sensor detected no rotation during a wash or spin cycle. The control board expects to see movement confirmed by the RPS, and when that signal is absent, it shuts the cycle down and displays F50. The cause can be either a physical obstruction preventing the basket from turning or a failure in the motor, sensor, or control board. Start by checking whether the basket spins freely by hand.

No, you should not continue running the washer while F50 is active. A stalled motor can overheat and cause additional damage to the motor, motor control board, or related wiring. Stop using the machine and diagnose the fault before running another cycle.

Repair costs vary depending on the root cause. Clearing a foreign object from the tub costs nothing beyond your time. A rotor position sensor replacement typically runs in the range of $20 to $60 for the part. A drive motor or motor control board can cost anywhere from $100 to $300 or more for parts alone, with additional labor costs if you use a professional technician.

Some causes of F50 are DIY-friendly, particularly clearing a foreign object from the basket or tub area. If the basket spins freely and the issue points to the rotor position sensor or wiring, a technically confident homeowner can test and replace those components. Motor or motor control board replacement is more involved and may benefit from professional service.

A reset may temporarily clear the code, but if the underlying problem is not fixed, F50 will return as soon as the washer attempts to spin again. Unplugging the washer for a few minutes can clear stored fault codes, but this should only be done as part of a diagnostic process, not as a substitute for repair.