The Complete Kenmore Dryer Error Codes Listed (With Fixes)
There’s nothing worse than throwing in a load of wet towels, hitting start, and coming back an hour later to a flashing digital screen instead of warm, dry laundry. I see this exact scenario play out every single week on service calls. When your dryer suddenly stops working and flashes a weird mix of letters and numbers, it’s actually trying to do you a massive favor. Knowing how to read Kenmore dryer error codes is the first step in proper Kenmore dryer troubleshooting.
Before you start shopping for a brand new appliance or tearing the machine apart in frustration, let’s figure out exactly what your dryer is telling you. I put together this comprehensive guide to help you get your laundry routine going again—so grab the free PDF version at the bottom of the page to keep right next to your machine.
You can view or download our full technician’s guide, which includes every Kenmore dryer error code and detailed troubleshooting steps, by clicking the PDF link below.
Kenmore Dryer Error Code AF: Fixing Restricted Airflow
If your display shows the Kenmore dryer AF code, your machine is simply struggling to breathe. This is incredibly common and almost always means dryer restricted airflow. Clean your lint trap first. Next, pull the unit away from the wall and check the flexible hose for kinks or heavy lint buildup behind the machine. Clearing the vent fixes the code and removes a massive fire hazard.
How to Clear a Kenmore Dryer PF Error Code (Power Failure)
The PF warning looks bad, but it’s usually a harmless glitch. PF means Power Failure. You just need to perform a quick Kenmore dryer PF reset. Press and hold the Start button to clear the board. If that fails, unplug the dryer for five minutes, then plug it back in. Easy.
Kenmore Error Code F01: Main Control Board Failure Explained
Now we are getting into the real mechanical issues. Of all the electronic faults out there, the F01 is one of the more frustrating ones to encounter. If you see an F01, you have a problem with the dryer’s brain. Finding a successful Kenmore F01 error fix can be tough because it points directly to a total communication failure on the Kenmore dryer control board.
Sometimes, if you’re lucky, a hard reset (unplugging the machine for five full minutes) clears out a temporary electrical glitch caused by a power surge. But if you plug it back in and that F01 comes right back to the display, your control board has likely shorted out. At that point, it needs a total replacement, which involves opening up the console and dealing with the main wiring harness.
Troubleshooting Kenmore Codes F22 and F23: Thermistor Issues
Your dryer needs highly accurate temperature readings so it doesn’t fry your clothes. The Kenmore dryer thermistor handles this job. If you get a Kenmore code F22 (or F23), the machine detects an exhaust temperature problem, usually because the thermistor is electrically open or shorted. When I see this on a job, I grab my multimeter immediately. You have to open the dryer, locate the thermistor on the blower housing, and test it for continuity.
Fixing Damp Clothes: Kenmore Dryer Error Codes F28 and F29
Ever pull out a load of jeans and find them still damp after a full hour-long cycle? Your dryer uses two metal strips inside the drum to sense moisture. If the screen flashes a Kenmore code F28 or F29, the Kenmore dryer moisture sensor isn’t communicating right. Here’s an insider secret from the field: half the time, the part isn’t even broken. Dryer sheets leave a clear, waxy residue on those metal strips that literally blinds the sensor to the moisture in the drum. Take a rag with some rubbing alcohol and give those strips a really good, hard scrub before you even think about buying replacement parts.
Professional Local Kenmore Dryer Repair with Hill Country Repairs
Cleaning vents and wiping sensors are great weekend DIY tasks. But dealing with live electrical wires and faulty control boards is dangerous without the right training and tools. If you are dealing with stubborn Kenmore dryer error codes that won’t clear, don’t risk a shock or a house fire. Call in an expert for Kenmore dryer repair. For homeowners around here, Hill Country Repairs is your go-to for safe, local appliance repair. If our schedule is fully booked up for the day, we also highly recommend reaching out to our trusted partners at All Austin Repairs or Sub-Zero Appliance Repair Center. We’ll get your laundry room working safely again.
FAQ About Kenmore Dryer Error Codes
What does the AF code mean on my Kenmore dryer?
The AF code is easily the most common issue I run into on service calls. It stands for Air Flow restriction. Your machine is basically telling you it can’t breathe because hot air isn’t escaping properly. Nine times out of ten, this means the exhaust vent going to the outside of your house is clogged with lint, or the flexible hose behind the machine is crushed against the wall. Clean your lint trap, pull the dryer out, and check the entire vent line for blockages.
Why is my Kenmore dryer flashing PF and won’t start?
PF just means Power Failure. It usually pops up after a quick power outage, a summer thunderstorm, or if someone accidentally unplugs the machine mid-cycle. To clear the board, just press and hold the Start or Pause/Cancel button. If the screen is totally frozen, unplug the machine from the wall for five minutes, then plug it back in.
Can I fix an F01 error code myself?
The F01 code is a tough one for DIY repairs. It points straight to a failure on the main electronic control board—essentially the brain of your dryer. You can try a hard reset by unplugging the unit for five minutes to clear any temporary electrical glitches. But if you plug it back in and the F01 comes right back, the board is likely fried. Because this involves handling high-voltage wires and installing an expensive computer part, I usually recommend having an expert at Hill Country Repairs tackle it so you don’t accidentally short out the new board during installation.
What do the F22 and F23 codes mean?
Both of these codes tell you there is a physical problem with the thermistor. The thermistor is a small sensor that monitors the temperature of the air leaving the drum so your clothes don’t catch fire. F22 means the electrical circuit is open, and F23 means it has shorted out. Either way, the machine shuts down safely because it can’t tell how hot it’s getting inside. You have to open the dryer cabinet, locate the sensor on the blower housing, and test it with a multimeter. If it fails the continuity test, you just swap it out for a new one.
How do I completely reset my Kenmore dryer to clear a code?
The most reliable way to reset the computer inside your Kenmore dryer is a hard power cycle. Unplug the thick power cord directly from the 240-volt wall outlet and let it sit totally disconnected for a full five minutes. This gives the capacitors on the internal control board enough time to drain their stored power completely. Plug it back in. If the error code was just a random glitch from a power surge, it will be gone. If the code pops right back up on the screen, a part is physically broken inside the cabinet and needs to be replaced.
