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Whirlpool Dryer Error Code L2

Reviewed by the ApplianceErrors Editorial Team · Verified against manufacturer service documentation · Last verified: June 10, 2026
⚠ High Severity 👨‍🔧 Call a Pro

Low or missing voltage on one leg of 240V supply

The most common cause of the L2 error on a Whirlpool dryer is one circuit breaker leg tripped (~60% of cases); start with: reset the circuit breaker.

💰 DIY cost: $0–$0 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $150–$400 Save $150+ by doing it yourself
Whirlpool Dryer error code L2 on the display panel
How the L2 code appears on a Whirlpool dryer display

What Does Error Code L2 Mean on a Whirlpool Dryer?

Low or missing voltage on one leg of 240V supply.

L2 fires when the control board senses that one of the two 120V legs feeding the 240V supply is low or absent. The motor circuit still gets power from a single leg, so the drum tumbles, but the heating element needs both legs and stays cold. This distinguishes L2 from a genuine heater or thermostat failure: the board is reporting an incoming power problem, not an internal component fault, which is why the fix lies at the breaker, outlet, or panel.

Models affected: Electric 240V Whirlpool dryers with digital fault display, including models such as WED4815EW, WED5620HW and WED6620HW; gas models like WGD4815EW are less likely to show a heating-related L2 since they don't rely on both 240V legs for heat.
What owners report: Owners commonly report this appearing suddenly as clothes tumbling but never getting warm, often after a breaker has half-tripped. A frequent quick win is toggling the double-pole breaker fully off then on, since a partially tripped leg can look normal at a glance.

What Causes Error Code L2?

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

  1. 1
    One circuit breaker leg tripped 60% of cases
  2. 2
    Loose wire connection in dryer outlet or at panel 25% of cases
  3. 3
    Failed outlet or wiring 15% of cases

How to Fix Whirlpool Dryer Error Code L2

👨‍🔧 Call a Pro Est. time: 1–3 hours
⚡ Safety first: Unplug the appliance before opening any panels or touching internal components.
  1. 1

    Reset the circuit breaker

    Go to the panel and find the double-pole breaker for the dryer. Toggle it fully OFF then back ON.

  2. 2

    Check the outlet voltage

    With a multimeter on the outlet, between both hot terminals: should read ~240V. Each hot to neutral: ~120V. If one reads 0V, that leg has no power.

    🔩 Multimeter or outlet voltage tester
  3. 3

    Have an electrician check the wiring

    If the breaker reset and outlet checks don't resolve L2, the outlet wiring or breaker needs professional inspection.

How to Reset Error Code L2

Reset the circuit breaker. L2 clears when full 240V is restored.

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

Full Whirlpool dryer reset guide → Enter diagnostic mode → Symptom guide: Dryer won't start →

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When to Call a Professional

L2 is almost always an electrical supply problem, not a dryer fault. An electrician should check the outlet and panel wiring if the breaker reset doesn't fix it.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $150–$400

Related Error Codes

F30
Restricted airflow — vent blockage
⚠ Medium Severity

Same Code on Other Brands

Error code L2 appears on these other brands too. See every brand that shows L2 →

Maytag logo
Maytag Dryer L2
Low or no line voltage — heater cannot turn on

Find Replacement Parts

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

🔩
Search PartSelect
Whirlpool Dryer repair parts
🔧
Search RepairClinic
Step-by-step video guides

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

More Whirlpool Dryer Error Codes

F01 Main control board failure F22 Outlet thermistor failure F26 Drive motor failure F28 Moisture sensor bar failure — primary sensor F29 Moisture sensor bar failure — secondary sensor F31 Exhaust thermistor failure

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my Whirlpool Dryer when error L2 appears? +
It is not advisable. The dryer may still power on, but running it while L2 is active can worsen the power fault or damage related parts. Treat it as a soon-as-possible repair.
What most commonly causes L2 on a Whirlpool Dryer? +
Across reported Whirlpool dryer repairs, the most frequent is one circuit breaker leg tripped (60% of cases), loose wire connection in dryer outlet or at panel (25%), then failed outlet or wiring (15%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.
L2 keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +
A reset only clears the stored L2 fault; if it returns, the power problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — reset the circuit breaker, then check the outlet voltage — since the code will reappear until the root cause is resolved. This is a repair most owners hand to a technician.
How much does it cost to fix Whirlpool Dryer error L2? +
A DIY repair typically runs $0–$0 in parts, versus $150–$400 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $150. Expect the work to take a full service visit.
Which Whirlpool Dryer models show error L2? +
L2 is documented on Electric 240V Whirlpool dryers with digital fault display, including models such as WED4815EW, WED5620HW and WED6620HW; gas models like WGD4815EW are less likely to show a heating-related L2 since they don't rely on both 240V legs for heat.. Other units sharing the same control platform can display it too, so the fixes here generally transfer across the series.

Sources & References

Content verified against manufacturer service documentation. Last verified: June 10, 2026.

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