Whirlpool dryer is one of the most reliable dryers in the market; however, all electronic appliances are subjected to faults and errors.
When you are in the mid of a wash cycle, you may face the error PF, and your dryer stops working. I understand how frustrating this can beย if you can’t determine what the error code means.
You don’t have to worry because you have come to the right place; in this article, I will discuss what the PF error code means and its causes.
In addition, I will explain the solutions to this error code in detail and how to avoid and prevent it in the future.
Causes of Whirlpool Dryer PF Code
Let’s first explain what the PF code means; the PF error stands for Power Failure. The PF code error is displayed when a power failure interrupts the drying cycle.
Power failure can happen for different reasons, such as power outage, faulty electrical connection, or defective main board. I will guide you through the troubleshooting steps to find the cause of your dryer PF error.
1- Power Outage
If you are using your dryer and a power outage happens suddenly, the PF error code will be displayed on your dryer. The power outage means that your dryer was interrupted during the drying cycle.
The power outage can happen due to a higher voltage detected by your dryer; the higher voltage can affect your dryer fuses. The fuses will either be damaged or broken; as a result, you will face the error PF on your dryer.
2- Faulty Electrical Connection
A faulty electrical connection can be why your dryer is showing a PF error. The faulty electrical connection can be that your dryer plug is not properly plugged into the wall socket or outlet.
The power cord on your dryer is the power supply cable. Therefore, if there are any breaks or tears in the power cable, it can affect the power supplied to the main control board of the dryer.
The main control board of the dryer can also be responsible for the issue of the PF code. The electrical wiring on the main control board has to be well connected, and there are no loose wires.
3- Defective Main Control Board
A defective main control board can cause different error codes, so if the error has not resulted from the power cord or the electrical connections, it can be from the main control board.
The main control board can be defective for many reasons; for example, the voltage to the motor might drop because of the motor relay on the board.
The PF error code doesn’t state that the main control board has a massive failure; if it suffers from internal fault, it will show an F01 error code.
The PF error codes tell you that the main control board is facing an issue with the power supply, which causes a power interruption to the appliance.
4- Whirlpool Dryer Electronic Glitch
The PF error code can be because the dryer is having an electronic glitch. The Whirlpool dryer is like any other electronic appliance subject to electronic glitches.
So, if you have checked all the possible reasons for the PF code and ended with nothing, it might be that your dryer just needs to be reset to get back to work.
How to Fix Whirlpool Dryer PF Code
After going through the dryer troubleshooting and the causes of the PF code error and knowing that the leading cause behind this code is a power interruption, I will now walk you through each cause’s solution.
1- How to Fix a Power Outage?
If you face a power outage while using your dryer, the PF error code will be automatically displayed. The right step is to restart your appliance to fix the issue.
Start by pressing and holding the start button until a drying cycle begins. After starting a drying cycle, press the power button to make the PF error code disappear.
Restarting your dryer is all you need to get rid of the error code when its cause is a power outage. If the code doesn’t disappear, you must move to the next step because the power outage may cause a power with your electrical connections.
2- How to Fix a Faulty Electrical Connection?
If the dryer faces a faulty electrical connection, it can be due to several reasons. So you will need to take it step by step. First, check the dryer’s power cord; the code should not break or tear.
If the power cord has any tearing or wearing signs, it’s recommended that you replace it with a new one. A torn power cable can be hazardous; it can cause electrical shocks to anyone nearby.
In addition, the broken power cord will affect your dryer’s functionality, as it can cause power interruptions which will result in the PF error code. If the power cord is fine and intact, you will need to check the plug of your dryer.
Ensure the dryer plug is well connected to an electrical outlet and the dryer plug prongs are correctly inserted into the socket. The last step is to check the connection between the power cord and the main control board.
The connection between them must not be loose; if the connection is not well secured, you will need to repair it to ensure there are no power interruptions during your dryer cycles.
3- How to Fix a Defective Main Control Board?
A defective main control board can cause a lot of errors; one of them is the PF error code. Therefore, you will need to repair or replace it to get rid of the error.
- Power off your dryer and then unplug from the electrical socket or turn off the circuit breaker for your safety.
- Locate the screws at the rear panel of your dryer.
- Loosen the back screws to access the main control board.
- Take a digital picture to use as a reference for the wiring.
- Gently disconnect the wiring of the control board.
- Please take out the control board by removing it from the mounting bracket.
- Install the new main control board.
- Use the mounting bracket to secure the new board.
- Use the reference picture to connect the board wiring.
- Place the rear panel and secure it using the screws.
If you want to repair the main control board, you will need to hire a technician, as repairing the control board needs the experience to avoid damaging the board.
If, after replacing the control board and the error persists, you will need to call a technician to inspect the dryer and determine the issue.
4- How to Fix Whirlpool Dryer Electronic Glitch?
If your dryer is facing an electronic glitch, you will need to reset your dryer. The steps to reset your dryer is holding the start button for a couple of seconds. The dryer will be reset and restarted.
If the dryer doesn’t reset, you will need to start a new cycle and hold the start button for a few seconds to reset it.
Preventing Whirlpool Dryer PF Error Code
After mentioning the possible causes and explaining the solutions to the PF error code, I will tell you how to prevent and avoid the PF error in the future.
1- Prevent Power Interruptions
Power interruptions are one of the main reasons behind the PF error code; therefore, avoiding power interruptions can significantly decrease the chances of facing the PF error.
If you power off your dryer while it’s running by disconnecting the dryer cord from the electrical outlet or turning off the circuit breaker, you will need to switch to using the power off button.
Disconnecting the power cord while the appliance is running can damage the dryer, and also it’s considered a power interruption. As a result, you will face the PF error code when you power on your dryer again.
If the electricity is not stable in your household, it’s advised that you use a generator to avoid the PF error code whenever the power goes out. The generator can be beneficial and protects your electronic appliances from any damage.
2- Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance is required for any electronic device; your Whirlpool dryer must be regularly checked to ensure no loose or damaged electrical connections.
Faulty wiring can cause the PF error code; therefore, to prevent and avoid it, you will need to regularly check the wiring of your dryer and replace any frayed wires as soon as detected.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The following are the most common questions related to the PF error code dryer issue.
1- What Does Dryer PF Code Mean?
PF stands for “Power Failure”; the dryer displays the PF fault code whenever the appliance faces a power interruption while operating. The PF error can result from different reasons, for example, a power outage, faulty wiring, or a central control board issue.
2- How to Reset a Whirlpool Dryer?
Resetting your Whirlpool dryer can help you eliminate some of the errors you face. You can reset your dyer by holding the start button for a few seconds. The dryer will be reset and restarted.
If the dryer doesn’t reset, you will need to start a new cycle and hold the start button for a few seconds to reset it.
Conclusion
I understand how you feel when your dryer stops in the middle of a washing cycle and displays a strange code, “PF.” You will only think aboutย the hassle of calling a repair technician and waiting for him to solve the issue.
However, the PF error code is a simple issue, and its solution is straightforward. First, the PF code means that your dryer has faced a power interruption, which can be due to different reasons, as mentioned in the article.
The reasons can be a power failure, loose wiring, and an issue with the main control board. You can always begin by resetting your dryer to ensure it’s an electronic glitch. Then proceed with the necessary steps to solve the issue.
Adrian is an ISCET licensed professional that has completed the National Appliance Service Technician Certification Exam and has the expertise to diagnose and repair any appliance. He is well-versed in the latest technologies and techniques and is always up-to-date on the latest industry standards.
