Written by
Maren Coleman Appliance Care EditorPublished October 29, 2026
VERIFIED
Error codeDEN
ApplianceWasher
DEN on a Whirlpool compact front load washer is a mode, not a malfunction. It means the washer is in Store Demo Mode, which dealers use to show how the machine operates.
Why it is on
A unit that left a showroom may still have the mode active. For normal home use it must be switched off.
Switching it off
Find the Program button near the far left of the control panel and the Options button near the far right.
Press both together and hold for 3 seconds.
A countdown shows while you hold.
Holding the same two buttons turns the mode on or off, so repeat it if you need the opposite.
Other washer codes
dET: the detergent dispenser cartridge is not detected.
When DEN will not clear, a technician can come to your San Francisco home. Phone (415) 687-4102 and tell us the washer model and the button hold you tried. More at Whirlpool washer repair.
Model compatibility: Whirlpool reuses codes across series and model years, so DEN may mean something different on another appliance or generation. Confirm this against your model’s documentation and record your full model number before acting.
Plain language
What this code means
DEN means the unit is in Store Demo Mode.
Important safety warning. Do not attempt repairs involving electrical components, gas, water lines, refrigerant or sealed systems. Unplug the appliance if it is safe to reach the outlet, and leave internal diagnostics to a qualified technician.
Seeing this code on your Whirlpool appliance?
Book a specialist visit for a clear estimate and approval before any repair.
You submit a request with your appliance model and symptom, we confirm an appointment window, and a technician performs an on-site diagnosis. You then receive a clear estimate and decide whether to proceed before any repair begins.
Yes. We provide an upfront estimate after diagnosis. No parts are ordered or installed until you approve the work, so there are no surprise charges.
Replacement parts are selected for the exact model and confirmed with you before ordering or installation.
Service areas are listed on the Locations page. Contact us with your ZIP code to confirm current coverage for your address.
Ready to get your Whirlpool appliance working again?
Book a repair online or call us — clear estimates and approval before any repair work begins.
