Fisher & Paykel Washer Error Code “Adr”

When a Fisher & Paykel washer flashes Adr, it isn’t warning of a broken part—it’s telling you the machine paused for too long after you touched Power and then sat inactive. After roughly 3 minutes of inactivity, the washer protects itself and your home by automatically draining to a safe water level. Think of it as a built-in safety timeout rather than a failure.

What “Adr” Actually Means

“Adr” pairs two events: you tapped Power (sometimes labeled Ml on certain control panels), then no cycle was started or resumed. The control waits, sees no action, and enters an auto-drain sequence. That’s why you’ll hear the drain pump kick on even if you didn’t press Start—the washer is simply clearing water so it isn’t left sitting in the tub.

Common Reasons You’ll See Adr

Most triggers are everyday usability moments, not defects:

• You powered the washer on, got distracted, and never pressed Start/Pause to begin the cycle.
• You paused mid-cycle (to add a garment or adjust settings) and didn’t resume in time.
• Delay Start or Child Lock is active and nothing else happens, so the machine times out.
• The lid/door was left open on a model that requires it closed to proceed, so the washer waits, then drains.
• Moisture on the touch panel or a quick power blip caused the control to register Power but no follow-up action.

Fast Recovery (No Tools Needed)

Start with the simplest approach and only move on if Adr keeps returning.

1. Touch any button to stop the auto-drain.
2. Close the lid/door firmly and make sure Child Lock is off.
3. Choose your cycle and press Start/Pause to resume.
4. If you intended to delay the wash, set Delay Start explicitly and confirm the indicator is lit.

If the washer finished draining completely, just reselect the cycle and restart—there’s no harm done.

DIY Checks If Adr Keeps Coming Back

You shouldn’t need tools for these, and they resolve most “it keeps timing out” situations.

• Panel wake & tap accuracy: Dry the control panel and your hands. Lightly press buttons; avoid long presses that can look like cancel/power toggles.
• Lid/door & latch: Make sure nothing is trapped in the seal or strike. A lid that isn’t fully latched prevents the machine from moving past “ready,” which can lead to Adr.
• Pause vs. Power: Use Pause when stepping away mid-cycle. Pressing Power stops the session; if you don’t return, Adr is likely.
• Delay Start sanity check: If you use Delay Start, confirm it’s enabled and the countdown is visible. Otherwise the washer is just sitting powered on—counting toward the timeout.
• Stable power: If lights flicker or outlets are loose, the control might wake in a “powered but idle” state. Plug into a dedicated, grounded outlet (no extension cords).

When It’s Not Just Inactivity

Adr is primarily about inactivity—but if you never touched Power and it still appears, or it shows up repeatedly even when you start cycles promptly, look for these telltales:

• Unintended panel touches (moisture, heavy steam, or leaning against the console).
• A door/lid switch that’s intermittent—washer “thinks” it’s open and idles out.
• A control that reboots from a power issue and then sits idle.

If any of those patterns fit, run a short cycle while you stay nearby. If the control exits to idle on its own and then drains, you may need a latch or control inspection.

Smart Habits to Prevent “Adr”

Keep the workflow simple and consistent—you’ll rarely see the code again.

• Power with intent: Only press Power when you’re ready to choose a cycle and hit Start.
• Use Pause, not Power: Pausing to pre-treat or fetch a laundry bag? Tap Pause, close the lid/door, and resume within a couple of minutes.
• Mind the lid/door: Close it fully before and after adding garments so the machine can proceed.
• Keep the panel dry: Wipe splashes and condensation; clean, dry buttons register correctly.
• Delay Start on purpose: Set it clearly, confirm the icon/countdown, and then walk away—no idle timeout.

Quick Reference: Your 30-Second Action Plan

• “Adr” shows → tap any button to stop draining.
• Close lid/door, pick your cycle, press Start.
• Next time, use Pause (not Power) if you need a moment, and resume promptly.

FAQs (Short & Useful)

Will Adr damage my washer?
No. It’s a protective behavior. Auto-draining keeps water from sitting in the tub when the machine isn’t actively washing.

Do I need to reset the washer?
Usually not. Simply start a cycle. If the panel feels unresponsive, unplug for 1 minute, plug back in, and try again.

What if Adr appears during every load?
That’s not typical. Confirm the lid/door switch works and the panel is dry. If it persists, schedule a quick diagnostic to check the latch and control logic.