Kenmore Dryer Error Codes: F01, F02, F26, F28, PF, L2 Diagnosis Guide

Common Symptoms

• F01 — Control board fault, dryer won't start or stops mid-cycle
• F02 — Keypad/user interface communication error
• F26 — Drive motor error — drum won't spin
• F28 — Moisture sensor fault — dryer won't end cycle (runs indefinitely or stops too early)
• PF — Power failure — cycle interrupted by power outage
• L2 — Low voltage on one leg of 240V supply (electric) or low gas pressure warning (some gas models)
• Display shows code and dryer is unresponsive to all inputs

Most Likely Causes

1. 1

   F01 — Main Control Board Fault

   F01 on Kenmore Whirlpool-platform dryers (110.xxxxx) indicates the main electronic control board has detected an internal fault. Common triggers: power surge, short from a downstream component, or the board's onboard relay has failed. First step: unplug the dryer for 5 minutes to allow a full power reset — capacitors must fully discharge. If F01 clears and doesn't return, it was a transient fault. If F01 returns immediately or after one cycle, inspect the wiring harness for bare or melted wires, then test the heating element and motor for shorts (both can feed voltage back into the board). Replace the control board only after ruling out shorts from downstream components — installing a new board into an existing short will destroy the replacement.

2. 2

   F02 — Keypad / User Interface Communication Error

   F02 means the main control board has lost communication with the user interface (the control panel with buttons and display). Usually caused by a loose or corroded ribbon cable connection between the two boards. On Kenmore Elite dryers, the ribbon cable runs between the main board (typically at the rear of the top panel) and the UI board (behind the control panel face). Unplug the dryer, remove the top panel screws, and firmly reseat both ends of the ribbon cable. If F02 persists after reseating, test with a multimeter for continuity along the ribbon cable — a break in the cable requires UI board replacement.

3. 3

   F26 — Drive Motor Error

   F26 fires when the control board can't detect the drive motor running. Causes in order of likelihood: (1) broken drive belt — the drum spins freely with zero resistance when you reach inside and turn it by hand; (2) drive motor thermal overload — the motor ran hot and its internal cutout tripped; (3) motor winding failure — motor hums but won't start. On Kenmore 500/600/700 series dryers, start by opening the door and manually spinning the drum. Free-spinning drum = broken belt. Belt replacement is about 1.5 hours and costs $10–$20. A drum that has resistance but the motor still won't run points to the motor or capacitor (on some models).

4. 4

   F28 — Moisture Sensor Fault

   F28 indicates the moisture sensor bars (two metal bars inside the drum, typically near the lint trap opening) are either shorted together, coated in dryer sheet residue, or have a wiring fault back to the control board. Symptoms vary: the dryer may run indefinitely and never detect the load is dry, or it may stop prematurely. First fix: clean the sensor bars with a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol. Dryer sheet residue builds up a non-conductive film over the bars, causing the sensor to report 'always dry.' If cleaning doesn't clear F28, test the sensor wiring harness for continuity back to the control board.

5. 5

   PF — Power Failure (Cycle Interrupted)

   PF is not a fault code — it's a notification that the dryer's cycle was interrupted by a power outage or the circuit breaker tripping. The dryer displays PF when power is restored so you know the cycle didn't complete. Press Start to resume the interrupted cycle or select a new cycle. If PF appears repeatedly without a known power outage, check the 240V dryer circuit breaker for a weak or tripping breaker — a partially tripped breaker (one leg of 240V lost) is the same as the L2 condition and will cause the dryer to run without heat and eventually interrupt cycles.

6. 6

   L2 — Low Voltage / Second Leg of 240V Supply (Electric Dryers)

   L2 on Kenmore electric dryers (110.xxxxx) means one leg of the 240V supply is missing or below spec. Electric dryers require two 120V legs (L1 and L2) to operate — together they produce 240V for the heating element. If the L2 leg is lost (tripped breaker, loose terminal at the outlet or junction box, or failed breaker), the dryer motor will run on the remaining 120V leg but the heating element won't activate. The dryer tumbles but produces no heat. Go to the breaker panel and confirm the dryer's double-pole breaker is fully ON (both switches). Reset by turning it fully OFF then fully ON. If L2 returns, call an electrician — the circuit breaker or wiring is failing.

Quick DIY Checks

1. 1Step 1 — Identify your Kenmore dryer platform: look at the model number label inside the door frame or on the back panel. Model numbers starting with 110.xxxxx are Whirlpool-built — use this guide. Model numbers starting with 796.xxxxx are LG-built — error codes differ significantly from Whirlpool. The repair procedures, parts, and code meanings are not interchangeable between platforms. Write down the full 12-digit model number before ordering any parts.
2. 2Step 2 — Power reset for F01, F02, or any code: unplug the dryer from the wall outlet (do not just turn it off at the panel — physically unplug it or trip the breaker to OFF). Leave it unplugged for 5 full minutes. Plug back in and select a cycle. If the code returns immediately, proceed with targeted diagnosis. If the code is gone, run a full cycle and monitor — a transient fault that doesn't return needs no further action.
3. 3Step 3 — For F26 (drive motor / no drum spin): open the dryer door and reach inside to manually spin the drum. If it spins freely with no resistance — you can keep it spinning with a flick of your wrist — the drive belt is broken. To replace the belt on a Kenmore front-panel dryer: remove the top panel (2 screws at the rear), remove the front panel (2 screws inside the door opening at the bottom, disconnect the door switch wire harness), remove the drum, thread the new belt around the drum and idler pulley, and reinstall. Belt part numbers vary — use your full model number to find the correct belt (typically $10–$20).

1. 4Step 4 — For F28 (moisture sensor): locate the two silver metal strips inside the drum on the front baffle, typically 3–4 inches apart near the lint trap. Clean both strips thoroughly with a cotton ball soaked in isopropyl alcohol — dryer sheet residue creates an insulating film that blocks the sensor signal. Run a damp load and monitor. If F28 returns after cleaning, inspect the two-wire harness that runs from the sensor bars back to the control board — look for pinched or disconnected wires under the drum where the harness routes.
2. 5Step 5 — For PF (power failure) recurring: open the electrical panel and locate the dryer's double-pole circuit breaker. Confirm it is fully in the ON position — sometimes a tripped breaker looks ON but is actually in the middle position. Flip it firmly to OFF, then firmly to ON. Check the dryer's 240V outlet for a secure fit — a loose 4-prong NEMA 14-30 outlet can cause intermittent power interruptions that look like PF codes.
3. 6Step 6 — For L2 (low voltage) on electric dryers: check the breaker panel first — the dryer circuit breaker should be a double-pole breaker with both switches ganged together. If one leg has tripped, the whole breaker face will show the middle position. Reset it. If L2 returns after a reset, use a multimeter set to AC voltage at the 240V dryer outlet: measure L1 to L2 (should read 240V ±10%), L1 to ground (120V), and L2 to ground (120V). Any leg reading zero or below 100V indicates a wiring or breaker fault — call a licensed electrician. Do not attempt to repair 240V wiring yourself.
4. 7Step 7 — Enter Kenmore Whirlpool-platform diagnostic mode to read stored fault codes: on most Kenmore 600/700 series dryers, close the door and within 5 seconds press: More Time, Less Time, More Time, Less Time (4 presses in sequence). All LEDs should illuminate briefly to confirm entry. The display will show stored fault codes in sequence (most recent first). Record all codes before clearing — pressing Start clears the codes. On Kenmore Elite dryers with a dedicated Info button, press and hold Info for 3 seconds to access the fault log.
5. 8Step 8 — F01 control board replacement (last resort): if F01 persists after power reset and you've confirmed no wiring shorts from the heating element, motor, or sensors, the main control board needs replacement. Before ordering, confirm the part number from your model label — Kenmore Whirlpool-platform dryer boards are not universal across series. The board is typically behind the top panel or back panel. Disconnect the wiring harnesses (photograph first), unscrew the board from its mounting bracket, install the new board, reconnect harnesses, and restore power. Do not plug in until all harnesses are secured.

Repair vs Replace

Recommended Tools & Parts

• Kenmore / Whirlpool Dryer Drive Belt

  Replacement drum drive belt for Kenmore Whirlpool-platform dryers (110.xxxxx series). Fixes F26 error when the drum spins freely — confirmed broken belt. Belt length and rib count vary by model. Use your full model number to confirm the correct belt. Most Kenmore 500/600/700 series use a multi-rib belt approximately 92–93 inches in circumference.

  $10–$20

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• Kenmore Dryer Moisture Sensor Bar Kit

  Replacement moisture sensor bar assembly for Kenmore dryers (Whirlpool platform). Fixes F28 persistent moisture sensor faults that don't clear after cleaning the bars. Includes both sensor bars and mounting hardware. Model-specific — verify compatibility with your full model number.

  $15–$30

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• Kenmore / Whirlpool Dryer Main Control Board

  Replacement main electronic control board for Kenmore Whirlpool-platform dryers. Fixes persistent F01 faults after power reset and wiring inspection. Part number is model-specific — do not substitute. Located behind the top panel (most models) or back panel (some Elite models). Photograph all wiring harness connections before removing the old board.

  $80–$200

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Links are Amazon affiliate links (tag: fixitfastai-20). Prices are estimates.

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