A board-level code
F1E1 is one of the codes you hope not to see, because it points at the electronics rather than a hose or a switch.
Main control vs motor control
The Cactus Appliance washer code guide lists F1E1 alongside its neighbour: "Main control fault (F1E1) or motor control fault (F1E2), both on the main board." The two codes separate a fault in the main control from a fault in the motor control, but the source locates both on the same main board.
The first step is always power
Before anyone tests the board, the source says to "Unplug one minute. A repeat needs the motor wiring and the board tested." A one-time glitch clears on the power cycle and does not come back; a real board fault returns early in the next cycle.
Non-official repair reference — this page is an independent summary of a technician's guide, not a service manual; board and motor testing is work for a qualified technician.
Source
Source: Cactus Appliance — Whirlpool and Maytag Washer Error Codes · Checked 2026-11-12.