KitchenAid Dryer Error Code F26 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

F26 means the drive motor failed to start, stalled during a cycle, or drew excessive current. The drum cannot rotate without the drive motor, so all cycles stop immediately. An overloaded drum, worn motor bearings, a broken drive belt, or a complete motor failure are the most common causes.

Affected Models

KitchenAid Front-Control Dryer
KitchenAid KHED Series
KitchenAid YKEDB Series
KitchenAid Artisan Series Dryer

Common Causes

Drive motor has seized internally — bearings have failed, preventing the motor from turning
Drum is overloaded with too many heavy items, causing the motor to stall under load
Drive belt is broken or off its pulleys — motor spins freely with no drum rotation
Wiring harness to the drive motor is loose, preventing the motor from receiving power
Motor start capacitor has failed, preventing the motor from starting

How to Fix It

Unplug the dryer, remove the load, and manually try to spin the drum by hand.

A drum that turns freely suggests the motor itself is at fault. A drum that will not budge at all may indicate a seized motor or a jammed broken belt.
Listen for a hum at startup before F26 appears.

A hum that stops immediately suggests the motor is trying to start but is seized or stalled. No sound at all points to a wiring or capacitor fault.
Unplug the dryer for 10 minutes and try a small, light load.

An overloaded drum can trigger the motor's thermal protection. Removing items and waiting 10 minutes lets the motor cool and reset before retrying.
Have a technician inspect the motor, belt, and wiring.

A broken drive belt is a straightforward and inexpensive repair. A seized motor requires motor replacement — costs vary significantly.

When to Call a Professional

F26 almost always requires a technician to inspect the motor, drive belt, and pulleys. A broken belt is a simple fix; a seized motor is a more expensive repair — confirm the diagnosis before ordering parts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an overloaded dryer cause F26?

Yes. Drying a very heavy load — a wet comforter or multiple soaked towels — can stall the motor. Reduce the load size and restart after a 10-minute rest to allow the motor's thermal protection to reset.

How much does a drive motor replacement cost?

A replacement drive motor for a KitchenAid dryer typically costs $80 to $200 for the part. With technician labor, the total repair usually runs $200 to $400.

Could a broken belt cause F26?

Indirectly. On some models a broken belt causes the motor to overspeed without load, which can trigger a fault. Other models have a separate belt switch that detects the missing belt and stops the cycle independently.