Fisher & Paykel Washer Error Code “P:r Cut”

When a Fisher & Paykel washer shows P:r Cut, it’s telling you the appliance detected a power interruption during a cycle. Think of it as a safety pause: the control senses that line power dropped out (even briefly), so it stops the active program to protect electronics and avoid half-finished steps. In most homes this follows a short outage, a tripped breaker, or a loose plug—and once stable power returns, many models can resume automatically right where they left off.

What the Fault Actually Is (in plain English)

Your washer expects steady voltage while it heats water, spins the drum, and drives the drain pump. If the supply blips—even for a second—the control logs P:r Cut to mark that event. It’s not a mechanical failure and it doesn’t mean the motor, pump, or board is bad; it’s a notification so you’ll know why the cycle stopped.

You’ll typically notice the display holding the code, a paused cycle, and no other symptoms. After power stabilizes, the unit may continue the cycle or invite you to press Start/Pause to carry on.

Why It Happens

Short list of usual suspects:

• A momentary neighborhood outage or utility brownout
• A tripped breaker, loose outlet, or half-seated plug
• A heavily loaded circuit (space heater, kettle, or iron on the same branch) causing voltage dips
• An extension cord or power strip that can’t deliver consistent current

Quick, Safe Steps You Can Do Right Now

Start simple; you probably won’t need tools.

1. Confirm power is stable
   Check lights in the room and nearby appliances. If everything blinked, you likely had a brief outage.
2. Inspect the outlet and plug
   Make sure the washer’s plug is fully seated in a dedicated, grounded outlet. Avoid extension cords and multi-tap power strips.
3. Check the breaker
   Open the panel and look for a tripped breaker. Reset it fully off, then back on once.
4. Resume the cycle
   If the display still shows P:r Cut, give the control a few seconds after power is stable, then press Start/Pause to continue. If water level or program step needs a reset, select the same cycle again.

If the washer doesn’t respond, power it off at the wall/breaker for 2–3 minutes, restore power, and choose the desired cycle. Most units will clear the notification on a clean restart.

When It’s Not “Just a Blip”

Occasionally the code reveals a local electrical issue rather than a neighborhood flicker. Watch for patterns:

• Frequent repeats at the same point in a cycle
• Dimming lights when the washer ramps into spin
• Warm or buzzing outlet/plug, or a plug that wiggles loose

Those hints point to a weak outlet, an aging receptacle, or an overloaded branch circuit. In that case, have a qualified electrician check the outlet, wiring, and breaker size, and move high-draw devices to a different circuit.

Practical Fixes (without tearing into the machine)

A few small changes go a long way:

• Plug the washer directly into a dedicated outlet
• Keep the cord route straight and untwisted, with the plug fully seated
• Avoid running big heat appliances on the same circuit during wash cycles
• If your area sees frequent dips, consider a high-quality surge protector or a line-interactive UPS rated for the washer’s startup draw (talk to an electrician about sizing)

Good Habits to Prevent Future P:r Cut Events

You don’t need to obsess—just build a little routine around reliable power:

• Start loads when the home isn’t drawing peak power (skip the kettle, toaster, and space heater at the same time).
• If the outlet is loose or the plug feels warm after a cycle, replace the receptacle—they wear out.
• After storms or known outages, expect a one-time P:r Cut; simply resume the program once power is steady.
• If you must use surge protection, pick one with appliance-grade joule rating and a solid, low-resistance cord.

Quick FAQ

Will P:r Cut damage the washer?
No. It’s a protective stop. The control is designed to pause on unstable power rather than push through it.

Do I need to drain and restart?
Usually no. If the washer doesn’t auto-resume, press Start/Pause to continue. Only drain/cancel if the display asks you to select a program again.

The code keeps returning but my lights look fine—what now?
Try a different, known-good outlet on a separate circuit. If the issue disappears, the original outlet or branch is likely weak. If it follows the washer everywhere, schedule a check to rule out an internal power filter or control issue.

P:r Cut is your washer saying “power dropped, I paused.” Once power is stable, continue the cycle and you’re done. If the message keeps coming back, focus on the outlet, the breaker, and what else is sharing that circuit—solving the electrical side nearly always clears this code for good.