Speed Queen Washer Codes SR – Troubleshooting Guide

Speed Queen washer codes are designed to warn you of problems with your machine. The SR code specifically indicates the machine needs a Suds Removal cycle. Speed Queen washers are highly efficient washing machines. However, they can only work effectively when you use the correct amount/type of laundry detergent. When you use too much, the SR code will appear on display. We’ll discuss how to clear the code below.

The SR code on a Speed Queen washer means it’s undergoing a Suds Removal cycle. That’s due to excessive suds inside, and the machine must clear out excess lather immediately. An over-abundance of suds happens because too much detergent was used or regular detergent was used instead of High-Efficiency (HE) detergent. Suds migrating from the standpipe back into the drain hose could also be a cause.

Keep reading as we dive into the most likely causes for this issue and what you can do to fix them.

What The Sr Code Means On Your Speed Queen Washer?

The Sr code that you see on your Speed Queen washer display means that it’s currently running a Suds Removal cycle. The cycle is triggered when the machine senses oversudsing (an excess of suds inside the washer) and is removing all the excess suds from the machine.

The Sr code is typically accompanied by a countdown timer that shows how much time is remaining for the suds removal process.

What Are Suds?

Suds are the foam or froth that’s generated by your laundry detergent. The water mixes with air and detergent when the drum turns to create suds as a natural byproduct. 

Suds help spread the detergent’s molecules, making it more effective and efficient at cleaning the stains from your dirty laundry.

Why Is Oversudsing Bad For Your Washer?

Suds are helpful to the laundry washing process, as long as they stay within an acceptable amount. However, too many suds (or ‘oversudsing’) can cause several problems like:

• Preventing clothes from rubbing against each other and removing stains from their surfaces.
• Preventing some of the dirt and other impurities from being washed out of the machine.
• Getting clogged in the washer’s parts, leading to other malfunctions.

Possible Causes And Solutions

As mentioned earlier, the root cause behind the SR code on your Speed Queen washer is an excess of suds. That condition is most likely caused by excess detergent, incorrect detergent, or suds migrating back into the washer from the standpipe.

Here is why those problems happen and what you can do to fix them.

Using Excess Laundry Detergent

What it is: Laundry detergents are crucial when you’re doing laundry as they remove smells, stains, and other impurities from the fabrics. It’s also crucial to remember that these detergents are designed to work at exact concentrations.

As a result, laundry detergent manufacturers print clear instructions on how much detergent to use relative to the size of your laundry load. When you use too little detergent, the cleaning won’t be as effective. However, too much detergent can also cause other problems.

How it fails: When your washer produces too many suds, the most likely reason is that you’ve poured in too much detergent for the size of your load. As a result, there aren’t enough clothes to absorb the suds that result from the process.

Your Speed Queen washer will sense this and display the Sr code on the display while triggering the Suds Removal cycle to try and reduce them.

How to fix: The best way to prevent this from happening is to always check the instructions on your laundry detergent packaging. There, you’ll find precise instructions from the manufacturer on how much detergent to use for the size of your laundry load. That way, you can rest assured that the amount of sudsing inside will not be excessive, and the Sr code will be prevented.

Not Using High Efficiency (HE) Detergent

What it is: The US Department of Energy sets standards for washers to ensure that they are more efficient by using less water for each laundry load. Due to the reduced water, you must also use high-efficiency (HE) detergents for these washers as they are suited for reduced-water conditions and therefore produce fewer suds.

How it fails: Oversudsing can also result from using regular detergent instead of high-efficiency (HE) detergent. When the machine fills its drum with less water, there won’t be enough to dilute the naturally produced suds during the wash program. Therefore, too many suds will force the machine to go into Suds Removal mode and display the Sr code.

How to fix: The solution for this problem is to switch over to high-efficiency (HE) detergent immediately. That kind of detergent is better suited for washers that use less water, so the problem of oversudsing will not happen again.

In the meantime, however, you can also use a reduced amount of your regular detergent until you can purchase the HE detergent that you need.

Suds Migrating From Standpipe

What it is: A standpipe is just as the name suggests: it’s a vertical pipe that leads to the household or building’s drain system. For example, the purpose of a standpipe in the laundry room is for you to insert your washer’s drain hose into it.

That way, your washer will drain its water out through the hose and into the standpipe to be carried away along with other wastewater.

How it fails: One likely reason why your Speed Queen washer is experiencing oversudsing is because of the standpipe. As your washer drains its wastewater (and suds) out through the drain hose and into the standpipe, some of those suds might migrate backwards.

That situation will prevent excess suds from draining out of your washer, thereby triggering the Suds Removal cycle and displaying the Sr code.

How to fix: Speed Queen top-load washers come standard with a standpipe adapter attached to the machine’s drain hose. That adapter must be attached to the standpipe correctly, as it will prevent the migration of suds from the standpipe into the drain hose.

When the adapter is used correctly, the washer can continuously drain its wastewater and prevent any oversudsing from occurring inside.

How To Clear The Sr Code?

Remember: the Sr code is communicating to you that the washer is undergoing a Suds Removal cycle. That code will only clear when the cycle is complete, and all excess suds have been removed from the machine.

However, if that is not sufficient, you will have to take steps to remove all suds before resuming regular use of the machine. Speed Queen recommends using a capful of liquid fabric softener into the wash and completing an additional rinse cycle to clear any leftover suds.

Besides that, the manufacturer also suggests using vinegar in the same way as an alternative.

Suppose the Sr code persists despite all the suds being gone. In that case, you’ll want to reset your washing machine following the steps below.

How To Reset A Speed Queen Washing Machine?

You can reset your Speed Queen washing machine by cycling its power. To do that, follow these steps:

• Firstly, disconnect all power from the washing machine. That means removing its plug from the wall socket or switching off the dedicated circuit breaker.
• Next, leave the machine alone for at least 8 minutes. During this time, the washer will discharge any remaining electricity it’s retaining.
• Lastly, after that time, you can reconnect the washing machine. That will complete the reset process, and you can return to using the machine as usual.

How To Test A Speed Queen Washing Machine After Fixing It?

After fixing it, an excellent way to test your Speed Queen washer is to run a complete wash program from start to finish. That way, you’ll be able to see if the machine experiences oversudsing again.

At the same time, you’ll also be able to see if all of the washer’s functions are working correctly and if any other error codes appear.

Alternatively, you can also run the machine’s diagnostics mode to test it more thoroughly.

How To Run Diagnostics Mode On A Speed Queen Washer?

You can enter the diagnostics or ‘factory test procedure’ by following these steps:

• Turn on your washer and make sure it’s in Start Mode.
• Press keypad buttons 2 and 3 simultaneously.
  • Note: the keypad buttons will differ based on your exact Speed Queen washer model. Refer to your user manual to understand which buttons correspond with buttons 2 and 3.
• When done correctly, the washer will enter the Factory Test Procedure, starting at the first step: Machine Type.
• Press the Start/Pause button to cycle through all of the tests.
• Depending on your washer model, there are 18 or 19 tests in total.