Whirlpool Dryer Error Codes: What They Actually Mean

F30 and AF: vent is blocked 

These two codes mean the same thing: not enough airflow getting through. It’s also the most common dryer repair call we handle.

Pull the dryer away from the wall, disconnect the exhaust duct, and look through it. Can you see daylight from the other end? If not, that’s your problem right there. While you’re at it, head outside and check the dryer vent cap. Lint packs around that flap over the years and it ends up barely opening. Clean the whole duct run, reconnect it, and run a short test cycle.

Still showing the code after cleaning? The blower wheel inside may be cracked or something is stuck in it. But start with the duct first. Most of the time, that’s all it is. 

F28 and F29: moisture sensor

There are two small metal strips inside your Whirlpool dryer drum, usually near the lint trap opening. They read moisture levels and tell the dryer when your clothes are actually dry. F28 means the circuit between those strips has gone open. F29 means it’s shorted.

Before calling anyone for dryer repair, wipe those strips down with rubbing alcohol and a soft cloth. Dryer sheet residue coats them over time and throws off the reading completely. Two minutes of cleaning fixes this error code more often than you’d think.

If the fault comes back afterward, the sensor itself or its wiring needs to be replaced. 

F22 and F23: exhaust thermistor

 This sensor tracks how hot the air is as it leaves the drum. F22 is an open circuit, F23 is a short. Either one means the dryer can’t properly monitor heat, so it’ll either overheat or stop heating entirely.

The thermistor is usually under $30. Test it with a multimeter before buying anything. Disconnect the leads and check the resistance against the spec in your manual. If it’s out of range, swap it out.

While you have the panel off, also test the thermal fuse. If the dryer has been running hot for a while, that fuse can blow as a safety cutoff, and it produces symptoms nearly identical to a thermistor fault. Check both before spending money on parts.

F01: main control board

The control board flagged an internal fault. First, unplug the dryer for 60 seconds and plug it back in. If the code stays gone, it was probably a power fluctuation. If it comes straight back, the board has a real problem and Whirlpool dryer repair is the next step.

One important detail: this part is model-specific. Use the full model number from the sticker inside the door frame when sourcing a replacement. The wrong board will cause more problems than it solves.

F02: keypad or interface board

 The keypad and the main board talk through a ribbon cable. F02 usually means that connection has broken down, or the keypad board itself has failed. Check whether any buttons feel physically stuck before replacing anything. A single jammed button can trigger this fault code on its own. 

F26: drive motor

 You’ll likely hear this one before the error code shows up. There’s a humming or buzzing sound, then the drum just stops turning. F26 confirms the motor isn’t running.

Don’t jump straight to motor replacement. Check first for anything jammed in the drum or blower wheel. A rogue sock blocking the blower can stop the drum just as effectively as a dead motor. If everything is clear and the drum still won’t turn, Whirlpool dryer repair is your best path forward. It’s a bigger job than most appliance repair faults on this list. 

F31: low voltage on one power leg

Dryers run on 240 volts, delivered as two separate 120-volt legs from your electrical panel. F31 means one leg is reading low or missing. Start with the circuit breaker. Switch it fully off, wait 10 seconds, then back on. A partially tripped breaker is the most common cause.

If F31 returns after resetting, there’s a wiring or panel issue. At that point you need an electrician, not a dryer repair technician. 

PF: power failure

 Not really a fault. The dryer lost power mid-cycle, most likely from a brief outage or a tripped breaker. Press Start to resume the cycle. Nothing is wrong with the dryer itself.