On the covered Maytag dryer, F4 E4, L2, F31 means the heater is missing half of its 240 volt supply, although the drum may still turn First, check that both halves of the double breaker are on. Then: reset the breaker fully, seat the plug and have an electrician test the outlet if the code stays.
Differential
Likely causes of “Maytag dryer code F4 E4, L2, F31”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
One leg of the 240-volt supply is missing or low
What separates it The drum turns but the dryer does not heat
How to confirm Check that both halves of the double breaker are on
- 2
A tripped or weak breaker
What separates it Only half the breaker has tripped
How to confirm Switch the breaker fully off, then on
- 3
A loose plug or terminal block
What separates it The cord or connections are loose
How to confirm Check that the plug is fully seated
- 4
A cord mismatch (three-wire against four-wire)
What separates it The dryer was recently installed or moved
How to confirm Compare the cord with the instructions
- 5
A fault in the house wiring
What separates it The breaker is on but the outlet reads low
How to confirm An electrician tests the outlet
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact code, F4 E4, L2 or F31
- Whether the drum turns
- The state of both breaker handles
- Whether the dryer was recently moved
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleCheck that both halves of the double breaker are on.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleReset the breaker fully, seat the plug and have an electrician test the outlet if the code stays.
Look at the breaker
ReversibleMake sure both halves of the double breaker are on.
Reset it fully
ReversibleSwitch it off, then on, and try a cycle.
Check the plug
ReversiblePush it in fully and look for scorching.
Check the cord type
ReversibleIt must match the outlet and the instructions.
Test with heat
ReversibleRun a timed dry and feel for warm air at the vent.
Call an electrician
ReversibleIf the code stays after the breaker is on.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Parts involved
- The double breaker, the outlet, the cord and the terminal block.
- Safety
- Mains voltage; use an electrician.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If both breaker halves are on and the code stays, call an electrician to test the outlet
- !Never open a plugged-in dryer
- !Do not alter the cord or the terminal block yourself
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
What does F4 E4, L2, F31 mean on a Maytag dryer?+
the heater is missing half of its 240 volt supply, although the drum may still turn
What does the missing-heat power code mean on a Maytag dryer?+
One leg of the 240 volt supply is missing or low, so the heater cannot turn on.
Why does the drum still turn?+
The motor runs on half the supply; the heater needs both.
Does the line-voltage code mean the same fault?+
Yes, L2 and F31 belong to this family.
Can I replace a breaker myself?+
No, an electrician should.
Is this the dryer's fault?+
Often it is the supply, not the dryer.
How do I tell a tripped half breaker?+
Look at both handles of the double breaker; a half tripped breaker sits between on and off on some panels.
Is a three-wire or four-wire cord relevant?+
Yes. The cord must match the outlet, and a mismatch can leave a leg open.
What should an electrician measure?+
The voltage across the two hot legs and from each leg to neutral at the outlet.
Is it safe to try the dryer again after resetting the breaker?+
Reset the breaker fully, then run a short timed dry. If the drum turns but there is no heat, or the breaker trips again, stop and have an electrician test the outlet and the dryer circuit. Resetting a breaker that keeps tripping can overheat the wiring.
How is a missing-heat code different from a dryer that will not start?+
F4 E4 and its related codes are about the heater's supply, so the drum can still turn while the clothes stay damp. A dryer that does not start at all, with no lights, is a different problem, usually a plug, a fully tripped breaker or the door switch.