Error codes F21 and F22 point to a communication or logic fault between the Central Control Unit (CCU) and the touchpad/LED console. The CCU coordinates every stage of the cycle, while the console collects your inputs and reports status. When either side stops sending valid data, the washer can ignore button presses, freeze mid-cycle, or power up with an unresponsive display.
What you’ll typically notice
The panel may light but refuse to accept changes, or it may respond intermittently and then lock up. Sometimes the washer starts and then halts without advancing, showing the code after a brief pause. In other cases, the display stays dark while the door locks or the drain pump runs, which hints that the CCU is alive but the console isn’t communicating clearly.
Why the fault appears
Several conditions can break the conversation between the console and the CCU. Moisture or cleaning spray can seep into the keypad and create false or missing key signals. Connectors can loosen over time, especially if the machine vibrates heavily, and oxidation on low-voltage pins can distort the data line. A failing touchpad membrane or LED board can also misreport key states, and, less commonly, the CCU’s input circuitry can degrade and stop decoding messages from a good console.
Safe first actions
Cut power at the outlet or breaker and let the controls sit for a couple of minutes. This removes residual charge and clears transient logic states. When you restore power, watch the startup closely. A clean boot followed by an immediate lockup when you press a key suggests the console is the problem. A boot that never completes or random beeps without keypresses also points toward a faulty console or corrupted signals on the harness.
Practical checks without turning it into a “list”
Open the top or front service access with power off and locate the console harness where it plugs into the CCU. Reseat the connectors fully so the locking tabs click, and examine the pins for tarnish or bent blades. Trace the harness to the console and make sure nothing pinches or rubs on metal edges. If the keypad recently saw steam or liquid cleaner, let the area dry thoroughly; residual moisture under a membrane can hold a “stuck key” state that blocks all other inputs. After drying and reseating, power up and try changing cycle, modifiers, and options. Consistent refusal to register different buttons—especially if the display backlight looks normal—strengthens the case for a console fault.
How technicians separate console vs. CCU
The console is the more common failure, so the diagnostic flow usually starts there. If a known-good console restores normal key response and stable display behavior, the repair ends at the console. If the replacement console behaves the same way, attention shifts to the CCU. Technicians also consider context: if the washer shows other control-side symptoms—random resets, relays chattering, or lights flickering independent of keypresses—the CCU becomes the likely culprit even before part substitution.
After the fix
Once you replace the failed part, restore power and confirm a clean initialization. Walk through the panel: select a cycle, change temperature and spin, start and cancel, and verify that each press registers instantly. Run a short wash or rinse-and-spin to ensure the machine advances through fill, tumble, drain, and final spin without hesitation. Clear any stored codes per the service sheet for your model so future diagnostics aren’t cluttered by old events.
How to prevent a repeat
Keep sprays and liquid cleaners away from the keypad edges and wipe with a barely damp cloth rather than soaking the panel. Level the washer and avoid chronic overloads that increase vibration and loosen connectors. If you must move the machine, route and anchor the harnesses so they don’t chafe on sharp metal and so low-voltage console wiring doesn’t lie across high-current heater or pump lines.
Bottom line
F21/F22 means the control brain and the user interface stopped communicating reliably. Dry the console if needed, reseat the harness, and evaluate behavior after a clean power-up. If the panel still misreads or ignores inputs, replace the touchpad/LED console. If a healthy console doesn’t restore control, replace the CCU and verify full, stable operation with a complete cycle.