F23
KitchenAid Dryer
Severity: ModerateWhat Does This Error Mean?
F23 means the outlet thermistor has a short — its resistance is below the minimum the control board accepts, causing it to report a falsely high exhaust temperature. A shorted thermistor cannot recover and must be physically replaced. Pinched wiring or contamination on the connector pins are alternative causes to check first.
Affected Models
- KitchenAid Front-Control Dryer
- KitchenAid KHED Series
- KitchenAid YKEDB Series
- KitchenAid Artisan Series Dryer
Common Causes
- Outlet thermistor has internally shorted — its resistance is below the minimum threshold
- Two wires in the thermistor harness are touching, creating a false low-resistance reading
- Connector pins are bridged by lint, moisture, or mineral deposits
- Thermistor was pinched against a metal bracket during a previous repair
- Control board is misinterpreting the sensor signal due to a board fault
How to Fix It
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Unplug the dryer for 5 minutes and try a cycle.
A shorted thermistor will not clear on a reset — the short is a physical hardware failure. However, a reset rules out a transient board fault before investigating the sensor.
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Inspect the thermistor wiring harness for any pinched sections where two wires might be touching.
A harness pinched against a sharp metal edge can short two wires without the thermistor itself failing.
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Check the connector pins for lint, moisture, or mineral deposits bridging the contacts.
Clean the connector with a dry cloth or compressed air if contamination is visible.
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Have a technician test the thermistor resistance and replace it if shorted.
A shorted NTC reads near-zero or very low resistance. A good thermistor reads several thousand ohms at room temperature.
When to Call a Professional
A shorted thermistor cannot reset or self-recover — it must be physically replaced. A technician can confirm the short with a multimeter and swap the sensor in one visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a shorted thermistor cause the dryer to overheat?
Potentially. A shorted thermistor reports a falsely high temperature, which could cause the control board to cut heat prematurely — leading to poor drying. In some cases it can also trigger an overheat safety cutout. Replace it promptly.
How much does a thermistor replacement cost?
A replacement outlet thermistor for a KitchenAid dryer typically costs $15 to $50 for the part. With technician labor, the total repair usually runs $80 to $160.
Can I clean a shorted thermistor to fix F23?
If the short is caused by contamination on the connector pins, cleaning may resolve F23. If the sensor element itself has shorted internally, cleaning will not help — the sensor must be replaced.