On the covered Kenmore 417 model dryer, EAF means Kenmore's service table lists this code as: electronic control board failure. Unplug the dryer for five minutes and try a cycle. Reset the control and run a cycle. With the dryer unplugged, check the harness plugs.
Differential
Likely causes of “Kenmore 417 model dryer code EAF”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The dryer's electronic control board has failed (EAF)
What separates it The display shows EAF and the dryer will not start a cycle
How to confirm Unplug the dryer for five minutes and try a cycle
- 2
A one-off fault after a power event
What separates it The code appeared after a storm or a flicker
How to confirm Reset the control and run a cycle
- 3
A loose connector on the board
What separates it The code came after the dryer was moved
How to confirm With the dryer unplugged, check the harness plugs
- 4
Moisture or lint on the board
What separates it The dryer is in a damp laundry room
How to confirm Dry and clean the area
- 5
A board that has failed
What separates it EAF returns every time you start a cycle
How to confirm The electronic control board is replaced
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether EAF came at power-up or after a cycle had started
- Whether the drum turns when you press the door switch with the dryer plugged in
- How old the dryer is and whether the board has been replaced before
- The model number, which on a 417 begins with the digits 417 on the label inside the door opening
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedCorrect only the documented fault domain
ReversibleUnplug the dryer for 5 minutes to reset the control board. Plug the dryer in and start a cycle. If the code appears, replace the electronic control board. Parts named: electronic control board.
Unplug the dryer for five minutes
ReversibleThe table says to unplug the dryer for five minutes to reset the control board, so wait the full time before plugging it in.
Plug the dryer in and start a cycle
ReversibleChoose a short timed dry and watch the display for the code.
See whether EAF returns
ReversibleIf EAF appears again, the board is failing, and the table says to replace the electronic control board.
Check the plugs behind the panel
ReversibleWith the dryer unplugged, make sure that each connector on the board is seated and that nothing looks burnt.
Check for lint and damp
ReversibleLint and moisture on a board can cause faults, so clean and dry the area before you replace anything.
Replace the board if EAF appears
ReversibleThe electronic control board is the part named, and it is fitted with the dryer unplugged.
Check the door switch
ReversibleWith the dryer unplugged, press the door switch by hand and listen for a click. A failed door switch can mimic a control fault, and it costs far less than a board.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- The code on this page
- EAF, an electronic control board failure.
- Parts involved
- The electronic control board and its connectors.
- Source
- Sears PartsDirect's table for Kenmore dryers.
- What the board does
- The electronic control board reads the keys and the sensors and switches the motor and the heater. When it reports itself as failed, it can no longer do those jobs reliably, so the table treats the board as the part to replace.
- Check the basics first
- Before you order a board, make sure the vent is clear and the outlet supplies full voltage, because a dryer that is stressed by a blocked vent or a weak supply can damage its own control.
- The 417 family
- Kenmore 417 dryers are a long-running line, and the model number begins with 417 followed by a dot and the rest of the digits. Many were made by the same maker as Whirlpool dryers, so the board and the parts guide are shared, which helps when you look for a replacement. The label inside the door opening carries the number that a parts counter needs.
- Whether to repair or replace
- A control board for an older 417 can cost a good fraction of a new dryer. If the drum, the belt and the heater are in good order, the board is worth replacing. If other parts are worn, the board is the first of several repairs, and a new dryer may be wiser.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !A Kenmore 417 dryer that returns EAF after the five-minute reset needs its electronic control board, so order it against the full model number
- !Dryers of this age often have worn terminals as well, so ask the technician to check the heater connections while the board is out
- !Do not run the dryer if it starts and stops on its own
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
What does EAF mean on a Kenmore 417 model dryer?+
Kenmore's service table lists this code as: electronic control board failure.
Is it the board or the wiring?+
The table names the board, but loose plugs are worth checking first.
Will a reset fix it?+
It sometimes clears a one-off fault, which is why the reset is the first step.
Is the repair costly?+
A control board is one of the dearer dryer parts, so compare the cost with the age of the machine.
Can I use the dryer with EAF?+
Not if the control will not start a cycle, and not if it behaves oddly.
Where do I find the 417 model number?+
On a label inside the door opening, or on the back panel on some models.
Can a used board be fitted?+
It can, but only if it matches the part number exactly, and a used board has no guarantee.