Kenmore Dryer Error Code F23

Reviewed by the ApplianceErrors Editorial Team · Verified against manufacturer service documentation · Last verified: June 11, 2026

⚠ Medium Severity 🔧🔧 Moderate DIY

Outlet thermistor failure — reading shorted

The most common cause of the F23 error on a Kenmore dryer is shorted outlet thermistor (~60% of cases); start with: test the thermistor.

💰 DIY cost: $15–$35 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $130–$250 Save $115+ by doing it yourself

Kenmore Dryer error code F23 on the display panel — How the F23 code appears on a Kenmore dryer display

What Does Error Code F23 Mean on a Kenmore Dryer?

Outlet thermistor failure — reading shorted.

F23 fires when the control board reads the outlet (exhaust) thermistor as a short circuit — resistance dropping toward zero, which the board interprets as an impossibly high exhaust temperature. As a safety response it disables the heating circuit. It is the mirror image of F22, which flags an open circuit (resistance too high). A shorted sensor, a pinched harness wire grounding to the chassis, or a faulty main control can all produce the low reading.

Models affected: 110 Series (Dryer) and other Whirlpool-platform Kenmore dryers using an exhaust/outlet thermistor

What owners report: Owners commonly report this code appearing shortly after a cycle starts, often with the drum still turning but no heat. A pinched or chafed harness wire near the blower housing is a frequent false trigger that mimics a bad sensor, so inspecting the wiring before buying parts is the quick win many report.

What Causes Error Code F23?

Here are the most common causes in order of frequency. Start with the most likely cause before moving to the next:

1

Shorted outlet thermistor 60% of cases
2

Pinched harness wire shorting to chassis 25% of cases
3

Main control board fault 15% of cases

How to Fix Kenmore Dryer Error Code F23

🔧🔧 Moderate DIY Est. time: 30–60 min

⚡ Safety first: Unplug the appliance before opening any panels or touching internal components.

1

Test the thermistor

Measure resistance — near 0 ohms means shorted; should be ~10k ohms at room temperature.

⚠️ Unplug the dryer before testing.
2

Inspect the harness

Look for pinched or melted wires between the blower housing and the control board.
3

Replace the thermistor

Swap the sensor if shorted.

🔩 Kenmore dryer outlet thermistor ($15–$35)

How to Reset Error Code F23

Unplug for 5 minutes after the repair and run a timed-dry cycle to confirm.

Note: If the error returns after resetting, the underlying issue has not been resolved. Work through the fix steps above.

Did this guide fix your appliance?

When to Call a Professional

If the thermistor tests fine and wiring is intact, have a tech evaluate the control board.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $130–$250

Related Error Codes

F22

Outlet thermistor failure — reading open

⚠ Medium Severity

F01

Main electronic control board failure

⚠ High Severity

Same Code on Other Brands

Error code F23 appears on these other brands too. See every brand that shows F23 →

Bosch Washing Machine F23

Leak sensor activated — AquaStop or flood-protection sensor triggered

Whirlpool Dryer F23

Outlet thermistor failure (short circuit)

Maytag Dryer F23

Exhaust thermistor short circuit

Find Replacement Parts

Use these links to find the exact replacement parts for your Kenmore Dryer:

🔩

Search PartSelect

Kenmore Dryer repair parts

🔧

Search RepairClinic

Step-by-step video guides

External links — ApplianceErrors.com is not affiliated with these retailers.

More Kenmore Dryer Error Codes

F02 Keypad / user interface stuck button fault F28 Moisture sensor fault F70 Communication failure between control boards PF Power failure during the cycle AF Restricted airflow detected

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my Kenmore Dryer when error F23 appears? +

You often can for a cycle or two, but the temperature-sensor issue behind F23 will keep interrupting normal operation until it is fixed. Plan the repair rather than ignoring the code.

What most commonly causes F23 on a Kenmore Dryer? +

Across reported Kenmore dryer repairs, the most frequent is shorted outlet thermistor (60% of cases), pinched harness wire shorting to chassis (25%), then main control board fault (15%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.

F23 keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +

A reset only clears the stored F23 fault; if it returns, the temperature-sensor problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — test the thermistor, then inspect the harness — since the code will reappear until the root cause is resolved. This is a moderate job — a multimeter and some disassembly are usually involved.

How much does it cost to fix Kenmore Dryer error F23? +

A DIY repair typically runs $15–$35 in parts, versus $130–$250 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $115. Expect the work to take roughly 30–60 minutes.

Which Kenmore Dryer models show error F23? +

F23 is documented on 110 Series (Dryer) and other Whirlpool-platform Kenmore dryers using an exhaust/outlet thermistor. Other units sharing the same control platform can display it too, so the fixes here generally transfer across the series.

Sources & References

• Kenmore Customer Care — official manufacturer documentation
• Our editorial & verification policy

Content verified against manufacturer service documentation. Last verified: June 11, 2026.

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