Whirlpool · Dryer
Whirlpool Dryer F22 Error Code
Outlet exhaust thermistor open circuit
What this error means
F22 means the exhaust outlet thermistor on the blower housing reads as electrically open. The dryer cannot monitor outgoing air temperature and disables heat as a safety precaution.
How F22 is detected
When F22 appears on a Whirlpool dryer, the control board has confirmed that water did not leave the machine within the programmed drain window. On Whirlpool WED5620HW, Whirlpool WED5100HC, and similar variants, the drain pump runs for a fixed interval—often three to seven minutes on washers and dishwashers—while a pressure switch or turbidity sensor verifies the tub or sump is empty. If water remains, the cycle stops to prevent spin with a full tub or overflow on the next fill.
Most F22 calls are resolved without parts: unplug the dryer and locate the thermistor on the blower housing next to the thermal fuse. Restricted drain paths mimic pump failure because the impeller spins against a blocked hose or filter. Document whether the pump hums audibly during the drain step; a humming pump with no water movement points to a clogged filter or kinked hose, while silence may indicate a failed pump motor or loose wiring at the harness.
After clearing blockages, run a short cycle and listen at the drain hose for steady water flow. If F22 returns on the next load with a clean filter and straight hose, measure resistance at the pump motor connector per the service manual for your model before ordering a replacement pump assembly.
Common causes
- Thermistor connector unplugged at the blower housing
- Broken wire in the two-wire harness to the control board
- Failed outlet thermistor element
- Lint moisture corroding thermistor terminals
Step-by-step fixes
- 1Unplug the dryer and locate the thermistor on the blower housing next to the thermal fuse
- 2Reseat the connector and inspect wires for burns or breaks
- 3Measure resistance across the thermistor—expect about 10,000 ohms at room temperature
- 4Replace the outlet thermistor if the meter reads open/infinite
When to call a technician
If a new thermistor reads correctly but F22 persists, the main control board input circuit may be damaged.
Affected models
- Whirlpool WED5620HW
- Whirlpool WED5100HC
- Whirlpool WGD5620HW
Prevention & maintenance
- Clean drain filters and hose terminations monthly on high-use dryers to prevent F22 from lint and food debris buildup.
- Record when F22 appears in the cycle and whether it clears after a 60-second power reset on your Whirlpool dryer—that detail speeds diagnosis if you call service.
- Keep the model and serial number from the rating plate when ordering parts for F22; Whirlpool uses multiple revisions with different harness lengths and board firmware.
- Photograph wiring connector orientation before disconnecting any component while troubleshooting F22; reversed plugs on pumps and valves cause immediate repeat faults.