If your Whirlpool dryer is displaying an F01 error code, this means there is something wrong with the control board or one of the components connected to it.
It is commonly caused by a power failure or after a power surge occurs.
To fix the problem, simply follow our step-by-step instructions in this article, and hopefully your Whirlpool dryer will be working again quickly.
Start by Resetting Your Dryer
The first thing to do is to try to reset your dryer, as often this solves the problem. To reset your dryer, simply disconnect the dryer from its power source and leave it turned off for a few minutes. After a few minutes, turn your dryer back on and see if the error code has gone. If not, move on to the next step.
Check the Thermal Switch
If resetting the dryer didn’t solve the problem, you’ll need to check some of the internal components to find the cause of the error code. The first component to check is the thermal switch.
The thermal switch helps protect your dryer by telling the control board to turn the dryer off when it deems the dryer is overheating.
Here’s how to check the thermal switch:
- Turn the power to the dryer off.
- Pull the dryer out from the wall so you can work on it.
- Remove the top and side panels, and locate the thermal switch. The switch is usually located on the blower body, the heating element, or the gas burner.
- Once located, use a multimeter to check the switch for continuity. If it doesn’t have continuity, it is defective and needs to be replaced. If it does have continuity, it is working fine, and you can move on to checking the next component.
- Once replaced, check to see if the error code has disappeared. If not, move on to checking the next component.
Check the Thermistor
The next component to check is the thermistor. When it becomes defective, your dryer might display the F01 error code and stop working.
Here’s how to check the thermistor:
- Make sure the power to the dryer is still switched off.
- Remove the panels if you haven’t already.
- Locate the thermistor (check your manual if necessary).
- Check that the wiring of the thermistor is intact and not damaged in any way. If it is damaged, it will need to be repaired with a soldering iron.
- If the thermistor wiring is ok, use a multimeter to check it for continuity. If it has continuity, it is working fine, and you can move on to checking the door switch. If it doesn’t have continuity, it will need to be replaced.
- Once replaced, check to see if the error code has gone. If not, move on to checking the door switch.
Check the Door Switch
The next component to check is the door switch. The door switch functions as a safety switch to prevent the dryer drum from continuing to rotate when the door is open. Your dryer might display the F01 error code when the door switch is defective, or it might be sending a faulty signal to the control panel.
To check the door switch:
- Make sure the power is still switched off and you’ve removed the dryer panels.
- Locate the door switch – it’s usually found where the door opens/unlatches.
- Remove the door switch from the dryer unit – for some models, you’ll have to remove a screw to remove it or even take the front panel of the dryer off to access it.
- Use a multimeter to test the switch for continuity.
- If it has continuity, it is working correctly, and you can reattach it back in place and move on to checking the next component. If it doesn’t have continuity, it will need to be replaced.
- Once you have replaced the switch, check to see if the problem is solved. If not, move on to checking the next possible cause.
Replace the Control Panel
If you still haven’t found the cause of the problem, your last option is to replace the control panel. Replacing the control panel should fix the problem, but since it’s expensive to do, you might want to consult with a qualified technician before doing so or simply purchase a new dryer.
If you do decide to replace the control panel, to do that:
- Ensure that the power is still switched off to the dryer.
- If you haven’t already removed the dryer panels, remove them so you can access the control panel.
- Locate the control panel (check your manual if necessary).
- Remove the protective cover.
- Remove all of the plug fittings that are connected to the panel.
- Remove the screws that hold the control panel in place.
- Remove the control panel.
- Place the new control panel in the correct position, and attach it in place by screwing the screws back in and then connecting the wires back up to the panel.
- You can now plug your dryer back in and test that the error code has gone and your dryer is working again.