Direct Drive Whirlpool Duet Update

As many of you may remember, my dad replaced his first generation Duet washer with the new 5.0 cubic foot direct drive Duet washer in December. We had a lot of problems with the first machine not spinning, Lowes replaced the machine with a new one and while the spin problem was better, it was still failing to spin every other load.

Whirlpool contacted my dad a couple of weeks ago and said that they were doing a software update on all the machines to fix the spin issues. A repair company came and replaced the computer board with a new one that has a whole new balancing routine! It works soooooooooo much better! The machine is usually spinning within 2 minutes from the end of the initial drain and no more than 5 minutes on big/hard-to-balance loads! The machine used to fuss around for 30-40 minutes trying to complete the final spin and almost always ended up skipping interim spins. Now it spins every time! And, there is never any issue with the machine being loud, rattling, or walking. It's as solid as a rock, even sitting on it's pedestal on a wooden floor! I'll try to take some video soon at some point to show the new quick balancing routine!


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Post# 516033 5/6/2011 at 15:42 (4,728 days old) by Pulsator (Saint Joseph, MI)
Checkrate/Likes As many of you may remember, my dad replaced his first generation Duet washer with the new 5.0 cubic foot direct drive Duet washer in December. We had a lot of problems with the first machine not spinning, Lowes replaced the machine with a new one and while the spin problem was better, it was still failing to spin every other load. Whirlpool contacted my dad a couple of weeks ago and said that they were doing a software update on all the machines to fix the spin issues. A repair company came and replaced the computer board with a new one that has a whole new balancing routine! It works soooooooooo much better! The machine is usually spinning within 2 minutes from the end of the initial drain and no more than 5 minutes on big/hard-to-balance loads! The machine used to fuss around for 30-40 minutes trying to complete the final spin and almost always ended up skipping interim spins. Now it spins every time! And, there is never any issue with the machine being loud, rattling, or walking. It's as solid as a rock, even sitting on it's pedestal on a wooden floor! I'll try to take some video soon at some point to show the new quick balancing routine!

Post# 516036 , Reply# 1 5/6/2011 at 15:50 (4,728 days old) by brastemp (Brazil)
Checkrate/Likes *Great!!* I really like this washer and I can't wait your video!!

Post# 516042 , Reply# 2 5/6/2011 at 16:10 (4,728 days old) by joe_in_philly (Philadelphia, PA, USA)
Checkrate/Likes That is great that Whirlpool made a change. I wonder if this need for an update will have them offering software updates via USB on future FL washers like they have on the Vantage TL washer. My Whirlpool made Kenmore has a final spin routine that usually starts with a brief, slow spin, a fluff, a faster burst, a fluff, and then it goes into the final high speed spin. I find that it reduces wrinkling over my friend's FL that spins in one single shot. How does the final spin on the new Duet work?

Post# 516055 , Reply# 3 5/6/2011 at 17:49 (4,728 days old) by pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada)
Checkrate/Likes me i won't be buying 1 of these fancy newer fl when my generation 1 duet breaks i will be going back to a good old fashion top load washer and my 2 cent here is to avoid all of these fancy new gadgets on washer as the update might only hide the problem and not fox it so i have my doubts here

Post# 516086 , Reply# 4 5/6/2011 at 20:48 (4,728 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY)
Checkrate/Likes I dunno...... My Duet has been pretty great for over six years. Hope it keeps working six more years.........Although I'm craving a new washer but I'm trying to be logical.

Post# 516097 , Reply# 5 5/6/2011 at 21:37 (4,728 days old) by appnut (TX)
Checkrate/Likes Jamie, it's good to hear and I'm thirilled WP was so responsive to all its customers' needs, whether they realized it or not.

Post# 516965 , Reply# 6 5/11/2011 at 00:18 (4,724 days old) by arbilab (Ft Worth TX (Ridglea))
Checkrate/Likes Balance detection is indeed a firmware issue but almost inexcusable this escaped integration (pre-release) testing. I see these issues across all product lines (appliances, computers, even my hobby model helicopters) as designs are offshored to the lowest bidder who says "sure we tested it" when they took the money and didn't do the work.

Post# 516978 , Reply# 7 5/11/2011 at 04:55 (4,724 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY)
Checkrate/Likes I know rite! Too bad we can't hook our washers to the internet to get firmware updates :)