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Error code · Dryer

Whirlpool Dryer Code F3 E3: Reading from the Inlet Thermistor

F3 E3 appears on Whirlpool WED and WGD electric and gas dryers, including Cabrio and Duet, and names the inlet thermistor. That sensor sits where heated air enters the drum, and the control relies on it…

Medium · inspection needed
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Code
F3 E3
Appliance
Dryer
Brand
Whirlpool
Warranty
30-day workmanship

What F3 E3 means

F3 E3 appears on Whirlpool WED and WGD electric and gas dryers, including Cabrio and Duet, and names the inlet thermistor. That sensor sits where heated air enters the drum, and the control relies on it to keep temperatures in range. A reading outside what the control expects triggers the code, and the dryer may stop heating, shut down early, or refuse to begin a cycle. Many owners first notice it as clothes coming out damp.

Common causes of F3 E3

  • Inlet thermistor reading and its connector
  • Wiring from the sensor to the control
  • Heating circuit behavior at start-up
  • Airflow through the lint screen and vent
✓ One safe check you can try

1. Pull out and clean the lint screen. 2. Switch off the dryer's breaker for one minute, switch it back on and start a timed dry cycle. 3. Stay near the dryer for one minute to make sure F3 E3 does not return. 4. If it comes back, stop using the dryer and schedule service.

! Why to stop there
  • The sensor, its wiring and the heat circuit can all produce this reading
  • We test the thermistor and check the heating circuit before suggesting parts
  • Older dryers get an honest comment on repair value, with the price in writing before any work
Opening a panel yourself does not automatically cancel a manufacturer warranty, but it can cause accidental damage, and some manufacturers set their own service conditions. Check your warranty terms, or ask us, before deciding.
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Other Dryer codes

Water TankWhirlpool Dryer Message Water Tank: Tank Full or Not Seated LocWhirlpool Dryer Code Loc: Control Lock Turned On by Mistake PFWhirlpool Dryer PF Code: Power Failure During a Cycle tSWhirlpool Dryer Code tS: Thermistor Reading Out of Range F6E3Whirlpool Dryer F6E3 Code: Control Alert on Three Models F6E4Whirlpool Laundry Tower Dryer F6E4 Code: Control Communication with the Panel F6E5Whirlpool Laundry Tower Dryer Code F6E5: Control Link Lost F7E1Whirlpool Dryer Code F7E1: Motor System, Control or Wiring
F3 E3F3 E3 questions
What does the inlet thermistor do?

It measures the temperature of air entering the drum so the control can regulate heat. F3 E3 says that measurement looks wrong, which can stop heating or end a cycle early.

Will my clothes still dry with F3 E3?

Often not well. If the dryer stops heating or quits, loads come out damp. Do not keep re-running cycles, since that wastes power while the underlying reading stays unresolved.

Why does a reset sometimes work?

A reset clears a temporary reading error. When the cause is a drifting sensor or a loose connector, the code usually returns, and then it needs a hands-on test.

Book a visit

Still seeing F3 E3?

A technician diagnoses it on site and gives you the price in writing before any work starts.

(713) 589-6107