Match the symptom, then work through the safe checks.
1. What best matches what you observe?
2. Complete only the checks that are safe for you.
Show stop conditions
- A supply fitting leaks or cannot be safely shut off
- The household hot/cold plumbing cannot be confidently identified
- HC persists after the connections are verified and a complete verification cycle is run
Likely causes
- The hot and cold inlet hoses were connected to the opposite washer inlets
- The household lines were mislabeled or crossed during a recent installation or hose replacement
- The washer detects water-temperature behavior inconsistent with the selected inlet connections
- A model-specific issue remains even though the plumbing is correctly connected
Quick checks, in order
Notice when HC appears
Whirlpool says HC can appear at the end of the wash cycle as the washer reports reversed hot/cold connections; this timing is part of the top-load HC behavior.
Shut off both water supplies before swapping hoses
Do not loosen pressurized fittings. Once water is off, connect the cold household line to the cold inlet and the hot line to the hot inlet.
Reopen the valves and check every fitting for leaks
Before running the verification cycle, make sure the hose washers seat correctly and no connection drips under pressure.
Run another cycle to verify the correction
Whirlpool's HC guidance calls for another cycle after the hoses are corrected. If HC returns with confirmed plumbing, use the exact model manual or service support.
Does HC disappear after correcting the top-load washer's inlet hoses and running a verification cycle?
That matches Whirlpool's documented top-load behavior for reversed hot/cold hoses. Correct the connections and run another cycle.
Do not guess. Verify which faucet is actually hot and which is cold before reconnecting the washer.
Confirm the exact model's code definition and arrange diagnosis; a temperature-sensing or control issue may be mimicking the installation warning.
Stop and get qualified help when
- A supply fitting leaks or cannot be safely shut off
- The household hot/cold plumbing cannot be confidently identified
- HC persists after the connections are verified and a complete verification cycle is run
Official support and model manuals
Use the full model number from the rating label. The manufacturer manual is the deciding reference when codes differ by region or product family.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Whirlpool HC appear at the end of the cycle?
Whirlpool's top-load guidance says the code is displayed at the end of the wash cycle to indicate the cold line is connected to the hot inlet and the hot line to the cold inlet.
What should I do after swapping the Whirlpool HC hoses?
Reopen the water, check the fittings for leaks, and run another cycle. Whirlpool specifically recommends another cycle to verify the hose installation is now correct.
Does HC automatically mean the inlet valve is bad?
No. Whirlpool's user guidance treats HC first as reversed inlet-hose installation. Internal diagnosis is appropriate only if the plumbing is verified and the warning persists.