On the covered Whirlpool dryer, F3 E2, F3 E5, F3 E6, F3 E7, F28, F29 means a moisture sensor problem, or on the Duet Hybrid an outlet thermistor or an unplugged connector First, level the dryer and dry a fuller load.
Differential
Likely causes of “Whirlpool dryer code F3 E2, F3 E5, F3 E6, F3 E7, F28, F29”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A load too small to touch the moisture sensors
What separates it The code appears when you dry a single item or a very small load
How to confirm Try a larger load, as Whirlpool says, or use an Automatic cycle instead of a Timed Dry
- 2
A dryer that is not level
What separates it Clothes do not sit flat against the moisture sensor bars
How to confirm Whirlpool says a dryer that is not level may prevent clothes touching the moisture sensors; check with a level
- 3
A metal object across the sensor bars
What separates it Something shiny sits across the two metal bars inside the drum
How to confirm Check for a metal object shorted across the two metal moisture sensor bars
- 4
Damaged moisture sensor wiring
What separates it The bars are clear and the same code stays on the display
How to confirm Unplug the dryer and check the moisture sensor wire harness for loose, pinched or damaged wires
- 5
A connector unplugged from the board (F3 E5, Duet Hybrid)
What separates it The code appeared right after a repair or a part change
How to confirm The Hybrid table says to unplug the dryer and plug the P14 connector back into the main control board
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact display: F3 E2, F3 E5, F3 E6, F3 E7, F28 or F29
- How big and how bulky the load was
- Whether the dryer sits level on all four feet
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleLevel the dryer and dry a fuller load.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleCheck for a metal object across the sensor bars, check the sensor wiring, then replace the sensor harness or sensor.
Clear the code and dry a bigger load
ReversibleWhirlpool says the F3 E2 code occurs when five consecutive loads are dried without registering moisture sensor data; pressing Power clears the code so you can restart, and it asks whether the dryer is level and whether a small load was being dried.
Level the dryer
ReversibleUse a level on the cabinet edge or another flat surface (the top may be curved) and adjust the feet.
Check the bars and the wiring
ReversibleThe 2015 Cabrio table says to check for a metal object shorted across the two moisture sensor bars, then unplug the dryer and check the sensor wire harness, reconnect loose wires and replace a damaged harness.
Replace the sensor if the wiring is sound
ReversibleThe Duet and Cabrio tables say to check the wiring connections on the moisture sensor and replace the sensor if the connections are sound (F28 and F29).
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Displayed as
- F3 E2, F3 E5, F3 E6, F3 E7, F28 or F29, by platform.
- Parts named by the service tables
- Moisture sensor; moisture sensor wire harness.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Unplug the dryer before you look at the moisture sensor wiring
- !Do not poke a metal tool between the bars to clean them while the dryer is plugged in
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. F3 E2 is a moisture sensor on the 2015 Cabrio and an outlet thermistor on the Duet Hybrid; both are stated.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does F3 E2, F3 E5, F3 E6, F3 E7, F28, F29 mean on a Whirlpool dryer?+
a moisture sensor problem, or on the Duet Hybrid an outlet thermistor or an unplugged connector
Will a small load cause it?+
Yes; Whirlpool says very small loads or single items may not touch the sensors.