Whirlpool dryer F23: exhaust thermistor shorted
F23 (F-23) on 2005-2016 platforms means the exhaust air temperature sensor reads as shorted.
What F23 means
- Brand
- Whirlpool
- Appliance
- Electric dryer, Gas dryer
- Code
- F23
- Documented meaning
- Exhaust thermistor shorted
- Applies to
- 224 Whirlpool models on 12 platforms
- Can you keep using it?
- No — stop and have it checked
What the dryer is detecting
The control relies on the exhaust thermistor to regulate drying temperature. A reading that is impossibly hot suggests a short, so the control flags the sensor instead of trusting it.
Causes listed for this condition
In the order the service documentation checks them. Documented causes come from the manufacturer's service documentation for these platforms; possible causes are based on how the system works; unconfirmed marks common assumptions that the documentation does not support.
- Documented A shorted exhaust thermistor.
- Possible A loose connection or damaged wire between the sensor and the control.
- Possible A sensing-circuit fault on the main control.
Safe checks you can make
- Turn the dryer off at the breaker (or unplug it) for about one minute, restore power and start a new cycle to see whether the code comes back right away.
Further diagnosis requires opening the appliance. Beyond the owner checks, diagnosis involves removing panels, testing components and checking wiring. We describe what a technician investigates, not how to do it yourself.
What a technician checks
- Reads the temperature sensor values in the service diagnostic mode and compares them with the room temperature.
- Checks the sensor connector at the main control and the sensor's own connection for a loose or damaged terminal.
- Tests the sensor and its circuit before deciding whether the sensor, the harness or the main control is at fault.
Typical repairs and cost
Depending on what diagnosis finds, this code can lead to one of these repairs:
| Repair | Typical range | Labor |
|---|---|---|
| Dryer exhaust thermistor replacement | $180–$290 | Light |
| Dryer main control board replacement | $280–$640 | Moderate |
Typical total ranges for the Las Vegas area, parts and labor included. The final cost depends on diagnosis, the exact model, parts availability and whether other damage is found.
Can you keep using it?
Stop using it until it is checked. Do not keep running heated cycles until the sensor is checked.
Whirlpool models documented with this code
- WED4616FW
- WED4810BQ
- WED4810EW
- WED4815EW
- WED4850HW
- WED4890BQ
- WED4910XQ
- WED4916FW
- WED4950HW
- WED4985EW
- WED4995EW
- WED6200SW
- WED6400SB
- WED6400SG
- WED6400SW
- WED6600VQ
And 208 more. Use the model lookup to check yours.
Related problems and codes
Other codes documented on the same Whirlpool platforms:
Repair or replace?
A fault code alone rarely justifies replacing a dryer. Most F23 repairs involve a single component once diagnosed. Replacement becomes worth considering when the unit is near the end of its typical 12–14-year life and the diagnosed repair is a major one. See the repair-or-replace guide.
Need F23 diagnosed in the Las Vegas area?
We repair Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir, Amana and other Whirlpool-family appliances in Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin and Boulder City. A model number helps but is never required to book.