Kenmore Dryer Error Code F01: How to Fix It

The Logic Verdict

I watched Sky Appliance tackle a Kenmore/Whirlpool-built dryer that flashed F01 and refused to run. The panel looked fine, but once he pulled the top, the main board showed a blown solder joint on the motor relay. Resoldering the leg cleared the code instantly—proof that F01 is a board-level failure, not a thermistor or door switch glitch. If your dryer beeps and shows F01 right after Start, inspect the electronic control next.

What It Means

F01 means the electronic control stopped communicating with the rest of the dryer. Whirlpool-made Kenmore units throw this when the motor relay burns, the board loses low-voltage power, or the connectors back out. Your options are to resolder the failed leg—exactly what the video demonstrates—or drop in a replacement control board (part WPW10174745 and supersedes).

Common Causes

• Burnt motor relay solder joint. Heat and high current crack the joint, which is exactly what the video host found.
• Failed control board components. A surge can toast the relay or microcontroller so the board never boots.
• Loose harnesses or pinched wires. If the P1/P2 plugs are not fully seated after a repair, the control thinks it is dead.

Step-by-Step Fix

1. Disconnect power. Unplug the dryer or flip the breaker—there is mains voltage on the control even when it is idle.
2. Pull the top panel. Remove the three Torx screws across the back lip, slide the lid toward you, and lift it off to expose the board cage.
3. Document the wiring. Take a photo of every harness before unplugging so the P1/P14 connectors go back on the correct pins.
4. Free the control board. Remove the two screws holding the mounting plate, release the six plastic tabs around the board, and carefully lift it out without prying against capacitors.
5. Inspect and repair. Look for darkened traces or a loose relay leg; lightly sand the copper, apply flux, and resolder the joint as Sky Appliance demonstrates. If the board is cracked or roasted, install a new WPW10174745 control instead.
6. Reassemble. Snap the board back into the housing, secure the bracket, plug each harness in until it clicks, and reinstall the top panel and screws.
7. Test and verify airflow. Restore power, run a timed dry, and confirm the relay clicks normally. Check the vent for strong airflow—poor ventilation overheats the board and triggers another F01.

Parts & Tools

• WPW10174745 / W10174745 dryer electronic control board

Watch the Fix