On the covered Maytag dryer, PF means power dropped out while a cycle was running First, press Start to resume the cycle. Then: reset the breaker if it tripped; repeated PF codes mean a weak circuit or loose plug that an electrician should check.
Differential
Likely causes of “Maytag dryer code PF”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Power was interrupted during the cycle
What separates it PF shows after a storm or a trip
How to confirm Press Start to resume
- 2
A breaker that tripped
What separates it The dryer lost power mid-cycle
How to confirm Reset the breaker
- 3
A loose cord or outlet
What separates it The code returns with no storm
How to confirm Check the plug
- 4
A power surge
What separates it The lights flickered
How to confirm Wait and restart
- 5
Repeated trips
What separates it PF returns often
How to confirm An electrician checks the circuit
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- When PF appeared
- Whether the lights flickered
- Whether the breaker tripped
- Whether it returns
Try in this order
0 of 13 completedWhat to do first
ReversiblePress Start to resume the cycle.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleReset the breaker if it tripped; repeated PF codes mean a weak circuit or loose plug that an electrician should check. Maytag documents one check for this code — has the Cycle Been Interrupted by a Power Failure — so confirm that before treating anything else as the cause.
Press Start
ReversibleThe dryer can usually resume after a power failure.
Check the breaker
ReversibleReset it if it tripped.
Check the plug
ReversibleSeat it fully.
Run a short cycle
ReversibleSee whether PF returns.
Note the pattern
ReversibleStorms, other appliances or random.
Call an electrician
ReversibleIf it keeps returning.
Look at the breaker panel
ReversibleA tripped double breaker for the dryer, or a tripped GFCI that shares the circuit, cuts the power in the middle of a cycle. Reset the whole breaker, not just one half, and press Start.
Check what else shares the circuit
ReversibleA space heater or a hair dryer on the same circuit can trip the breaker when the dryer is running. If PF follows another appliance starting, the circuit is overloaded.
Check whether the dryer is plugged into a power strip
ReversibleA dryer must never use a power strip or an extension cord. A cord that is not rated for the load can drop out, and an unsuitable connection is a classic cause of repeated PF.
Time how long the outage lasted
ReversibleMaytag specifies a five-minute interruption for this code, so a brief flicker may not set it and a longer outage will. If PF appears with no outage at all, the cord or the circuit is the thing to inspect.
Verify once, then respect the service boundary
ReversibleMaytag specifies a 5 minutes power interruption for this code, not an arbitrary one.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Part
- The household supply.
- Tip
- Check for repeated trips.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If PF returns without a power cut, have the circuit checked
- !Do not run the dryer on a circuit that keeps tripping
- !Book service if the control is dead afterwards
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
What does PF mean on a Maytag dryer?+
power dropped out while a cycle was running
Is PF an error?+
It is a notice, and Start usually clears it.
Why does it return?+
A weak circuit or loose plug.
Will clothes be damp?+
The cycle stopped, so run it again.
How does the dryer know the power failed?+
Its control notices the loss of power and shows PF when power returns while a cycle was set.
Does PF damage the clothes?+
No, but they may be damp, so run a short cycle.
How often is too often?+
Several times a week with no storms suggests a weak circuit or a loose plug.
Should I use a surge protector?+
Avoid extension cords and strips for a dryer; plug it into its own outlet.
What if PF appears with no storm?+
Check the plug and the outlet for looseness and look for other appliances on the same circuit.
Does the dryer remember where the cycle was?+
It resumes or restarts depending on the model, so check the display after you press Start.
Is PF the same as a tripped breaker?+
A trip is one cause; PF also appears after a brief flicker that did not trip anything.
Is PF more common in older houses?+
Older wiring and worn outlets can drop out under the dryer's heavy load.
Should the dryer share a circuit?+
It should have its own circuit, since it draws a lot of current.
What does an electrician check?+
The outlet, the breaker and the connections at the dryer's terminal block.
How long an outage sets PF on a Maytag?+
Maytag specifies a five-minute interruption for this code, so a short outage may not set it, and a longer one will.
Should I replace the dryer?+
No, PF is a message about power, not about the dryer's health.
Why does the display show PF after I move the dryer?+
Unplugging the dryer to move it interrupts the power, and PF is the result.
Can a surge protector stop PF?+
It cannot prevent an outage, but it protects the control from a surge that can follow one.
Why five minutes?+
Maytag's own table for this code specifies a five-minute interruption, which is the threshold the control uses.
Do I need to reload the dryer?+
No, press Start to continue the cycle.
Will PF affect the dryer's warranty?+
No, it is a notice and has no bearing on the warranty.
Can PF appear in the middle of the night?+
Yes, if power flickered while the dryer was running a delay-start cycle.