Amana Washer Code 5d – 3 causes and easy how to fix it

Amana washing machines will display error codes to let you know when something’s wrong. Unfortunately, those codes can sometimes be misread, like the 5d error code. You won’t find that code in any user manuals because it’s Sd, and it refers to an over suds condition.

The error code 5d on your Amana washer is the Sd code, and it means that your appliance is struggling with too many suds inside. Some models will display the SUD code instead for the same reason. The most likely causes are excessive detergent use, not using high-efficiency (HE) detergent, or using the wrong bleach during the Clean Washer cycle.

In this guide, we’ll dive through all the most likely reasons for this problem and what you can do to resolve them yourself.

What The 5d, Sd, or SUD Error Code Means On An Amana Washer?

When you see the 5d error code on your Amana washer’s display, what you’re looking at is an Sd error code. Unfortunately, the letter S looks almost like the number 5 on the display. In any case, the Sd error code means that the washer detects an over-sudsing condition inside the drum.

Over-sudsing simply means that there are too many suds in the washer (i.e. there’s too much lather from the detergent). As a result, the washer triggers the Sd error code while activating an automatic process to clear those excess suds.

Alternate Code

On some Amana washer models, the Sd code will appear as SUD instead. Despite the different code, it means the same thing: the machine is experiencing over-sudsing and is attempting to clean itself out automatically.

What Are Suds, And Why Is Oversudsing Bad?

Suds are a frothy natural byproduct of the washing process when laundry detergent mixes with water and air. Some suds are good, as they help to loosen up the dirt particles on your laundry items. However, having too many suds can be terrible.

Firstly, too many suds will prevent your laundry items from rubbing against each other, which is necessary to help agitate and remove stains. Besides that, the excess suds will leak into other parts of the washer (potentially causing damage) and also flood out onto your laundry room floor.

For those reasons, your Amana washer will automatically attempt to remove as many of those excess suds as possible. However, that might not be enough to clean all of the excess detergent and froth that might still be stuck in your washer.

Therefore, you should also run the Clean Washer cycle on your Amana washing machine afterwards to flush out your washer even more thoroughly.

Possible Causes And Solutions– code 5d (sd)

Let’s take a closer look at each of those reasons and what you can do to resolve them.

Using Too Much Detergent

What it is: Laundry detergent consists of chemicals that help to remove dirt, stains, and odors from your dirty laundry. However, the detergent will only work as it should when used in the correct concentrations.

On top of that, it’s also crucial to remember that modern washing machines are much more efficient and use a lot less water. As such, the amount of detergent necessary for these machines is a lot lower than it once was.

That’s why the back of every laundry detergent bottle or container will show you precisely how much detergent to use relative to the size of your laundry load.

How it fails: Suds are a natural byproduct when using laundry detergent. In the correct amounts, suds are also incredibly beneficial for the washing process. However, using too much detergent will lead to excess suds, which triggers the Sd error code on your Amana washer.

How to fix it: Firstly, you must let the washer complete its automatic suds removal process. Once that’s complete, empty the washer and run the Clean Washer cycle.

The Clean Washer cycle uses the highest volume of water possible and at the highest temperatures. In doing so, it will flush out all excess suds from the washer, as well as any detergent buildup that might have formed in there.

Not Using High-Efficiency (HE) Detergent

What it is: As mentioned earlier, modern washing machines are much more efficient than their predecessors. Newer models use less water and work much better with high-efficiency (HE) detergent, which produces a lot fewer suds than regular detergent.

How it fails: Unfortunately, using regular detergent in a high-efficiency (HE) washing machine will cause excessive suds production. As you might already know, that will trigger the Sd error code.

How to fix it: To prevent this issue from happening again, be sure to switch over to high-efficiency (HE) detergent immediately. You will also want to run the Clean Washer cycle as described above to clear out any remainders of the regular detergent and excess suds.

Using ‘No Splash’ or ‘Easy Pour’ Liquid Chlorine Bleach

What it is: When running the Clean Washer cycle, Amana recommends adding liquid chlorine bleach to the empty washer for a more thorough clean. When the cycle begins, it’ll fill water to the highest level possible while also heating it as much as possible as well.

Then, the cycle will circulate the liquid chlorine bleach to ensure that all impurities and buildups are successfully removed.

How it fails: Unfortunately, not all liquid chlorine bleaches are made the same. For instance, ‘No Splash’ or ‘Easy Pour’ varieties of liquid chlorine bleach include a thickening agent that will create excess suds during the Clean Washer cycle.

As a result, the Sd error code will be triggered.

How to fix it: Fixing this issue is very straightforward. Simply restart the Clean Washer cycle again without using any liquid chlorine bleach at all. Alternatively, you can do so by using regular liquid bleach products instead while staying away from the ‘No Splash’ and ‘Easy Pour’ varieties.

How To Clear The 5d, Sd, or SUD Error Code?

To clear the Sd or SUD error code on your Amana washer, you must first let the appliance complete its automatic sud clearing cycle. The cycle is triggered automatically when the washer senses an oversudsing condition and shows you the Sd or SUD error code.

Once that’s done, there will still be remnants of the suds and excess detergent inside the washer. That’s why you must also run a Clean Washer cycle afterwards.

This cycle is meant to clean the machine and not any laundry. So, it will not work if there are still items inside the drum. So, be sure to empty it first.

The Clean Washer cycle uses the hottest water possible to fill up the washer and clean out any dirt, dust, and other impurities. It will also dilute and wash away any excess detergent that’s trapped inside the washer.

How To Reset An Amana Washer?

Once the root cause of the Sd error code has been cleared, you can then perform a reset on the washing machine by cycling its power with these steps:

• Firstly, disconnect the washing machine from its power source. That means you must remove the plug from the wall socket. However, you must switch off the dedicated circuit breaker if the washer is hardwired.
• Next, leave the washer alone for 1 minute. This step will give it enough time to discharge any retained electricity, thereby clearing its memory.
• After that time, you can reconnect the machine to its power source and continue using it like you usually do.

How To Test An Amana Washer After Fixing It?

After fixing it, the best way to test an Amana washer is to run a complete wash cycle from start to finish. Doing so will allow you to make sure that all of its functions and components are in good working order.

However, you can also run the washer’s diagnostic mode for a more thorough check.

How To Enter Diagnostic Mode On An Amana Washer?

To enter the Test Mode, you will have to turn the cycle selector knob according to a particular sequence, with only a half-second gap between each step.

The correct sequence to follow is:

• Right
• Right
• Right
• Left
• Right
• Turn the knob left or right until you see that the “Wash, Rinse, and Done” light is on.
• Press the Start button to begin the test mode.

At this point, you’ll see and hear the washer run through all of its tests automatically.

Read: Amana Washer Code F4 E0 – Troubleshooting Guide