Ever been there?

The dreaded F01 Whirlpool dryer error is flashing, and an ever-growing mountain of damp laundry is staring back at you. Many of my clients have been there—more times than I’d like to admit.

To be truthful:

Over the years, I’ve battled this error on countless occasions, and trust me, with each encounter, I’ve gleaned a new trick for my sleeve.

Teaming up with Andy Bertman, an appliance maestro from Tucson, we’ve pooled our collective know-how. Are you ready for some insider tips?

Let’s dive in.

What Is F01 Whirlpool Dryer Code?

This isn’t just a simple error code; it’s a siren’s call, signaling issues that might stem from a faulty control board or problems with the drum belt, thermistor, thermal fuse, or even the door switch.

Now:

You might think about going for the reset option. Sometimes, that’s all it takes. But there are times when it isn’t enough.

Let me level with you:

Navigating through this can be daunting. But, you’re in luck. Over the years, I’ve pieced together a roadmap to address the F01 error.

Common Reasons & Troubleshooting for an F01 Whirlpool Dryer Code

Commonly Affected Parts	Estimated Cost
Control board	$271 – $532
Drum belt	$13 – $25
Thermistor	$10 – $23
Thermal fuse	$4 – $80
Door switch	$11 – $32

Let me tell you something:

In all my years working with Whirlpool dryers, that pesky F01 error seems to haunt many. It’s almost like that one stain you can’t get out of your favorite shirt.

Now:

Andy, a seasoned appliance guru from Tucson, once told me over a coffee break that he found the F01 error especially elusive unless equipped with the right knowledge.

Guess what?

That’s precisely why I’m here.

Alright, let’s roll up our sleeves:

I’m going to break down the most common reasons behind the F01 error on your Whirlpool dryer and guide you through the troubleshooting process.

Let’s dive in.

1. Control Board Malfunction

Part	Control Board
Location	Top of the dryer
Ease of troubleshooting	Medium
Cost	$271 – $532
Repairable	Yes, but highly technical

Problem:

When your Whirlpool dryer isn’t heating, and it produces the F01 error, there most likely is an issue with the control board.

The board modulates the dryer’s operations, including drying time and temperature. So if it’s faulty, your dryer won’t run when you put it on.

Identification:

A faulty control board usually has signs of burning or damage. Or, on inspection, you might find that the wires aren’t connected properly.

To inspect the connections on your control board, compare the connections in your manual to those on the board. And if they aren’t done properly, you can redo them following the arrangement in the manual.

Solution:

Now:

Like this Reddit user with a Whirlpool dryer model WED9200, fixing your dryer might require resoldering a component. Or you might just have to reset it following these steps:

• Step 1: Turn off the dryer and unplug it.
• Step 2: Wait for at least a minute.
• Step 3: Plug it back in and turn it on.

If you notice any burning or damage and resetting the dryer doesn’t work, replacing the control board is best.

Andy Bertman agrees. He explains, “Attempting to resolder the control board might end up damaging the panel and incurring extra cost“.

Here’s how to replace your control board:

• Step 1: Unplug your Whirlpool dryer to avoid electrical accidents.
• Step 2: Remove the screws that hold the top panel in place and slide it out of place.
• Step 3: Locate the control board inside a housing towards the right of the compartment and disconnect the wiring.
• Step 4: Undo the screws holding the board and remove it and the housing.
• Step 5:  place it downwards on a flat surface and loosen the screw holding the panel in its housing.
• Step 6: Remove the board and replace it with a new one.
• Step 7: Secure the board and tighten the housing screw.
• Step 8: Reinstall the new control board and housing in its position and redo the connections.
• Step 9: Replace the top panel in its position and slide it forward to lock it in place.

2.  Broken Drum Belt

Part	Drum belt
Location	Edge of the dryer’s drum
Ease of troubleshooting	Easy
Cost	$13 – $25
Repairable	No

Problem:

Sometimes, the F01 error on your whirlpool dryer could show up because the belt can’t work properly. Hence, it sends a signal to the control board, alerting it that it can’t spin the drum.

Your Whirlpool dryer’s drum belt wraps around the drum’s end and pulleys. This position lets it direct the drum’s rotation and speed. So if it’s faulty, the drum won’t rotate.

Identification:

Usually:

If your dryer’s belt has an issue, you’d hear a thumping noise whenever it runs. This sound indicates that the belt has a tear, and continuous use could lead to rupturing.

Another way to test the belt is by manually turning the drum. If the belt is okay, you will feel some resistance. If not, you’d easily spin the drum.

Solution:

To put it plainly:

If your dryer belt is bad, you must replace it.

A client of mine once had a broken drum belt, leading to an F01 error on her Whirlpool dryer. After analyzing the situation and consulting with my colleague, Andy Bertman, we found that her drum belt was defective.

Fortunately, we successfully derived an easy solution for rectifying the issue.

So:

Grab your gloves and toolbox and follow along:

• Step 1: Unplug your dryer and wait five minutes to prevent accidents.
• Step 2: Remove the top panel to access its inner components.
• Step 3: Undo the screws holding the side panel and remove it.
• Step 4: Reach under the drum, unhook the belt from the motor, and remove it.
• Step 5: Attach the new belt by lining it up with the groove around the drum.
• Step 6: Reassemble the dryer by tightening the screws and sliding the top panel back in place.

3. Wiring Issues

It’s not a secret:

Your Whirlpool dryer’s control panel uses wiring connections to communicate with its functional parts. This ultimately determines how effectively the dryer would operate.

Problem:

If the wiring to the control panel isn’t right, you might notice your Whirlpool dryer displaying the F01 error.

Wiring issues occur when users who try to fix the control board on their dryers mix up the connections. When this happens, your dryer won’t run when you turn it on.

So:

You might be like this Reddit user whose Whirlpool dryer model WED7300XW0 still displayed the error after he followed tutorials.

Identification:

To diagnose your control board’s wiring, check the arrangement of the cables in the dryer’s manual. If the arrangement on your dryer doesn’t match that in the manual, there is a wiring issue.

Also:

The wiring issues could originate from oxidation of the cables. When this happens, you will notice some rust on the wires. You can clean off the rust to fix this problem and reconnect the wires.

Solution:

Check this out:

One of my clients tried to fix a fault in her control board and connected the wires wrongly. On reaching out to me, I directed her on how to resolve the issue with some intel from my colleague, Andy Bertman.

To this effect, here’s how to fix your dryer’s control board connection:

Andy adds, “If you don’t have access to connection instructions or the manual, you should contact customer support for help.“

4. Defective Thermistor

Part	Thermistor
Location	Top right of dryer
Ease of troubleshooting	Easy
Cost	$10 – $23
Repairable	No

Problem:

Since the thermistor is connected to the control board, it could be the culprit causing the F01 error.

Get this:

Thermistors detect increments in dryer air temperature and alert the control system to increase or decrease the temperature. Thus, it helps maintain a stable drying temperature.

So, if it’s faulty, it would send a false signal to the control board, causing it to stop the dryer from running. In turn, the control board would display the F01 error.

Identification:

You can diagnose a faulty thermistor using a multimeter to check the resistance across the terminals. Whirlpoolparts says when you hook on the multimeter, it should read a resistance of about 11,900 ohms at 21°C.

Any reading less than this indicates a fault in the thermistor and you must replace it.

Solution:

Andy mentions that:

“If your dryer displays the F01 error, your first thought might not be to check the thermistor. However, it should be one of the components you inspect.”

And based on my experience, he’s absolutely right.

A client once complained about the F01 dryer recurring on her dryer. And on close analysis, I discovered that the issue was with the thermistor.

Together, Andy and I put together the following steps to replace your thermistor successfully:

• Step 1: Unplug your dryer to avoid accidents. You might need to pull the dryer out of its position to unscrew the panel.
• Step 2: Unscrew the service panel and locate the thermistor behind the service panel at the top right-hand part of your dryer
• Step 3: Unplug the wires from the thermistor and remove it.
• Step 4: Plug the wires correctly on your new thermistor and put it in place.
• Step 5: Tighten the screws on the top panel and move the dryer back into position if you pulled it out.
• Step 6: Plug the dryer back in and switch it on.

5. Malfunctioning Thermal Fuse

Part	Thermal fuse
Location	On heating element
Ease of troubleshooting	Easy
Cost	$4 – $80
Repairable	No

Problem:

The thermal fuse or switch is one of the vital components of the dryer connected to the control board. Its role is to alert the control board to turn off the machine when the dryer is overheating.

So:

If the thermal fuse is faulty, the control board would prevent the dryer from running and display the F01 error.

For instance:

Some time ago, a Simply Swider reader contacted me about his Whirlpool duet dryer model WGD9200SQ0 showing the F01 error. On discussing it with my colleague, Andy Bertman, we discovered that the user needed to replace the thermal fuse.

This is correct, especially if you’ve checked other dryer components and found no issues.

Identification:

To check if the thermal fuse is defective, you need an ohm multimeter to test for continuity.

To do this, rotate the multimeter dial to measure ohms of resistance. Then touch the black lead to one of the fuse’s terminals and the red lead to the other.

If the reading for resistance is zero ohms, then there is continuity in the fuse, and it is fine. However, if there isn’t a change in the reading, the fuse is blown, and you need to change it.

Solution:

Here’s a step-by-step process for replacing the thermal fuse.

• Step 1: Turn off the power supply to the dryer and unplug it.
• Step 2: Loosen the screws on the top panel and take it off.
• Step 3: Locate the thermal fuse on the heating element and disconnect the wires.
• Step 4: Unscrew the thermal fuse and take it out.
• Step 5: Place the new fuse in place and secure it by screwing it in.
• Step 6: Reconnect the wires and reattach the top panel.

Andy adds:

“Remember to place each screw in their correct position and connect the wires accordingly.”

This helps prevent further issues due to wiring.

6. Faulty Door Switch

Part	Door switch
Location	Dryer door’s upper pocket
Ease of troubleshooting	Easy
Cost	$11 – $32
Repairable	No

Problem:

The door switch is a protective component that prevents the drum from running when the door is open. So once triggered, it sends a signal to the control board to stop the drum’s motion.

So, If your door switch is faulty, it will send a false signal to the control board. This causes the dryer to display the F01 error and stop working.

Identification:

To know if the door switch is the cause of the F01 error, you must test it with a multimeter.

Here’s how to do it:

• Step 1: Unplug the dryer to avoid electrocution.
• Step 2: Remove the dryer top and detach the electrical connector.
• Step 3: Open the dryer door and remove the mounting screws securing the door switch in place, then remove the door switch.
• Step 4: Place one probe of the multimeter into each socket on the switch connector.

When you push the button on the switch, the resistance should be zero. But the resistance should be less than one when you don’t push the button.

If either of the readings is wrong, then there is an issue with the door switch, and it needs replacement.

Solution:

On that note:

Here’s how to replace a faulty Whirlpool dryer door switch:

• Step 1: Unplug the dryer to avoid electrocution.
• Step 2: Open the dryer top by undoing the screws securing it in place and lifting it open carefully.
• Step 3: Detach the electrical connector.
• Step 4: Open the dryer door and remove the mounting screws securing the door switch in place.
• Step 5: Remove the old door switch and place the new one in position.
• Step 6: Tighten the mounting screws to secure the new switch.
• Step 7: Reattach the electrical connector and close the dryer door.
• Step 8: Return the dryer top panel into its position and tighten the screws holding it.
• Step 9: Plug in the dryer and give it a go!

Models Most Affected

The truth is:

The F01 Whirlpool dryer error code often occurs due to a faulty control board.

But:

As Andy Bertman rightly says, “The error also happens when components of the dryer connected to the control board malfunction.”

Luckily:

This guide covers the possible causes of the error and troubleshooting tips on all Whirlpool dryer models.

So below, I’ve compiled a list of Whirlpool dryer models and their specific reasons for displaying the F01 error:

Model Number	Model Name	Reason
WED8500SRO	Whirlpool Duet Steam Dryer	Control board malfunction
WED9200SQ1	Whirlpool Duet Electric Dryer	Wiring issues
WED9600TA1	Whirlpool Electric Dryer	Faulty door switch
WED9300VU0	Whirlpool 27-Inch Electric Dryer	Defective thermistor
WGD9200SQ0	Whirlpool Electric Dryer	Malfunctioning thermal fuse
WED84105WZ	Whirlpool Electric Dryer	Wiring issues
WED8300SW1	Whirlpool 27-Inch Electric Dryer with 6.7 Cu. ft Capacity	Control board malfunction
WED9400SU0	Whirlpool Electric Dryer With 7 Cu. ft Capacity	Broken drum belt
WED8300SW2	Whirlpool Electric Dryer	Control board malfunction
WGD9200SQ0	Whirlpool Duet Dryer	Defective thermistor
WED9500TW2	Whirlpool Electric Duet Dryer	Control board malfunction
W10110851A	Whirlpool Electric Dryer	Malfunctioning thermal fuse
WGD9600TW1	Whirlpool 27-Inch Gas Steam Dryer	Broken drum belt
WED9200S00	Whirlpool Duet Dryer	Wiring issues
WED9500TW2	Whirlpool 27-Inch Steam Dryer with 7.0 Cu. ft Capacity	Faulty door switch

Remember:

Although the F01 error affects various models of the Whirlpool Dryer, fixing them doesn’t cost the same.

Typically:

The average dryer repair cost is around $100 – $200. However, for more technical repairs that deal with delicate parts, you could spend up to $450.

My colleague, Andy, says, “Under the right guidance, it is highly beneficial to attempt fixing your dryer yourself.”

And I agree. Rectifying dryer issues like the F01 error is always worth a shot, as long as the repair isn’t too technical.

Conclusion

Let’s go over it one more time:

The F01 error code on your Whirlpool dryer generally indicates a fault in the control board. However, it also occurs due to a defect in some components linked to the control board. Some causes of the F01 whirlpool dryer error are:

• Control board malfunction
• Broken drum belt
• Wiring Issues
• Defective thermistor
• Malfunctioning thermal switch
• Faulty door switch

Now:

While these may seem like major problems, fixing them is a breeze.

In fact:

To make your experience with fixing the F01 error smooth, I consulted with my friend and appliance expert, Andy Bertmen. Together, we came up with the solutions in this article that you can try at home.

Andy adds, “If the fixes in this article don’t work out for your dryer, be sure to contact a professional for help.“

Another solution is to use Simply Swider’s “Ask the Expert” feature if you encounter any problems.

And that’s a wrap!

I hope you found this guide helpful. If you did, don’t forget to leave behind a comment or any suggestions and questions you might have.