Whirlpool dryer error codes: what they mean

By Daniel Brooks Home maintenance writer and appliance troubleshooting specialist based in Charlotte, NC

Quick answer

A Whirlpool dryer flags trouble with a short code on its display. PF is the one covered here with real search volume and a confirmed meaning; F70 gets a shorter mention below it. Check your owner's manual for anything neither one explains. If it's actually your washer showing a code, the same manufacturer's washer codes are the counterpart hub for that cluster.

Why some Whirlpool dryer codes look familiar on a Maytag machine

Whirlpool Corporation owns Maytag, and on shared-platform dryers, the same code often carries the same meaning. That's not just a guess in this case: Whirlpool's own PF support page and Maytag's own PF support page describe the identical power-interruption fault in almost identical wording, on what's clearly the same underlying support platform (Whirlpool, "PF - Error Code - Dryer"; Maytag, "PF - Error Code - Dryer"). It isn't a guarantee for every code or every model generation, so treat it as a strong starting point rather than an assumed match for a code this page doesn't cover.

Full Whirlpool dryer error code table

Code	What it means	Common causes
PF	Power failure, the dryer detected a power interruption during the cycle	A brief power outage, a tripped or partially tripped breaker, the dryer losing power at its outlet mid-cycle

Whirlpool's F70 code shows up in searches too, a user-interface-to-main-control-board communication fault confirmed on Whirlpool's own support site (Whirlpool, "F70 - Error Code - Dryer"), but its search volume doesn't clear the bar for its own page on this site, and that's likely to stay the case rather than turn into a future one. If your dryer is showing F70, Whirlpool's own troubleshooting steps, a full power cycle at the breaker followed by checking the wiring harness and control boards for visible damage, are the more complete resource for now.

Before you call for service

Try a few basics before troubleshooting a specific code. Unplug the dryer for about a minute, or flip the breaker off and back on for the same stretch, then restart it. Make sure the door is shut and fully latched, and check whether the dryer is sharing an outlet or circuit with another large appliance before assuming the code points to something bigger.

When any Whirlpool dryer code means you need a technician

A technician is worth calling if the same code comes right back after the power cycle and its specific checks, if it shows up alongside a burning smell or a breaker that won't stay reset, or if your display is showing something neither this page nor your manual explains.

Photos for this guide

Whirlpool dryer control panel display showing an error code. — Real photo of a Whirlpool dryer control panel/display showing an error code (blurred/unreadable per style rule).

FAQ

What's the most common Whirlpool dryer error code?

PF is the Whirlpool dryer code with enough search volume and confirmed detail for its own full walkthrough on this site. It's also one of the more reassuring codes to see, since it almost always points to the home's power supply rather than a failing part.

Do Maytag dryers use the same error codes as Whirlpool?

For PF specifically, yes, confirmed by both brands' own support documentation describing the identical power-interruption fault. That confirmation doesn't automatically extend to every Whirlpool dryer code, so check the equivalent Maytag page on this site if you own that brand instead.

My Whirlpool dryer's code isn't in this table. What should I do?

Check your owner's manual first, especially for a lower-volume code like F70, a control-board communication fault Whirlpool's own support site documents in more detail than this page does. Whirlpool's product-help site is a reliable source for anything not covered here.