# How to Fix Amana Error F28 (Serial Comms)
The F28 error is one of the more serious codes an Amana washing machine can display, as it points directly to a failure in the machine’s internal electronic communications.
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## 1. Explanation: What Amana Error F28 Means
The Amana F28 error indicates a **Serial Communication Failure** (Serial Comms).
In simple terms, your washing machine’s two primary electronic “brains” have stopped talking to each other:
1. **The Main Control Board (CCU/MCU):** The central computer that controls motors, valves, and timing.
2. **The User Interface (UI) Board:** The board located behind the display panel where you select cycles.
When the Main Control Board cannot receive a signal from the User Interface board, it generates the F28 error and halts all operation. Because the Main Control Board is the central hub for managing this communication protocol, it is the most likely component to have failed.
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## 2. Step-by-Step Fix: How to Diagnose F28
**Safety First:** Always unplug the washer from the wall outlet before opening panels or inspecting internal components.
### Step 1: Perform a Hard Reset (Power Cycle)
This simple step clears transient electrical glitches that may have temporarily disrupted communications.
1. Unplug the washing machine from the wall outlet.
2. Wait a full **5 minutes** to ensure all residual current drains from the control boards.
3. Plug the machine back in and try to run a cycle.
If the F28 error immediately returns, proceed to physical inspection.
### Step 2: Inspect the Wiring Harness Connections
The connection harness is the physical “wire highway” between the UI Board and the Main Control Board. Loose or damaged wires can mimic a control board failure.
1. **Access the Controls:** Carefully remove the top panel or console (depending on your model) to expose the control boards and wiring harnesses.
2. **Locate the Main Harness:** Find the thick wire bundle running from the front control panel (UI) down to the larger box (the Main Control Board, often located toward the bottom or rear of the machine).
3. **Check Connections:**
* Gently unplug and then securely re-seat the main harness connector at **both** ends (the UI Board and the Main Control Board).
* Inspect the wires within the harness for any signs of pinching, cutting, corrosion, or burnt insulation.
If you find a damaged wire, repair the harness. If the wires are intact and the connections are tight, the issue is almost certainly a board failure.
### Step 3: Determine the Failed Board (Likely the Main Control)
Since F28 is a communication failure managed by the Main Control Board, that is the prime suspect. However, an electrical surge could have damaged either board.
| Scenario | Diagnosis | Required Part |
| :— | :— | :— |
| **Console is Completely Dead** | If the display is black, no lights appear, and the error code flashes occasionally, the UI board may have shorted and stopped sending its signal. | User Interface (UI) Board |
| **Display Looks Fine, Error Flashes** | If the display is partially lit or shows some signs of life, but the error persists after checking the harness, the Main Control Board has failed its communication check. | **Main Control Board (Most Common)** |
| **Corrosion/Water Damage** | If you see any signs of water damage, melting, or corrosion on the Main Control Board itself (a faint, burnt electronic smell is common), the board is definitely faulty. | Main Control Board |
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### Conclusion: Replacement is Necessary
In 90% of F28 cases, the Main Control Board is the component that requires replacement. This board is often sealed and not repairable; once the communication circuit fails, the entire board must be swapped out for a new one.
Replacing the Main Control Board is a common DIY repair, but you must ensure you purchase the exact part number specific to your Amana model (check the sticker inside the door frame or the back of the washer).
Check the price for a replacement Main Control Board here: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Amana+Main Control Board&tag=trivian-20