F22
Maytag Dryer
Severity: ModerateWhat Does This Error Mean?
Maytag F22 means the exhaust thermistor is open — the control board is reading no continuity through the sensor at the back of the drum.
Without a working temperature reading, the dryer cannot regulate heat safely, so the cycle stops.
Cause is usually the thermistor itself, a loose connector, or a chafed wire — all relatively cheap fixes once you have the back panel off.
Affected Models
- Maytag Bravos top-load dryer
- Maytag Centennial dryer
- Maytag Maxima front-load dryer
- Maytag Performance Series dryer
Common Causes
- Exhaust thermistor failed open
- Connector between thermistor and main board loose
- Thermistor wire damaged or chafed against the cabinet
- Recent repair where the thermistor was reinstalled wrong
- Main board thermistor input failed (rare)
How to Fix It
-
Power off and unplug.
Pull the dryer plug from the outlet.
Wait at least 60 seconds for capacitors to discharge before opening any panel. -
Remove the back panel.
Remove the screws holding the rear access cover.
The thermistor is mounted on the exhaust duct or housing — a small cylindrical sensor with a two-wire connector. -
Reseat the connector.
Disconnect the thermistor at its connector, blow dust out, reseat firmly.
Loose connectors after years of vibration are the cheapest possible F22 fix. -
Test thermistor resistance.
Disconnect the thermistor.
Multimeter on ohms across the leads at room temperature — Maytag spec is approximately 10k ohms at 75°F.
Open circuit (no reading) = failed thermistor.
Way out of range = failing. -
Replace the thermistor.
Genuine Maytag exhaust thermistors are 15-40 USD.
One screw or clip, one connector — 10-minute swap.
Match the part number on the existing one to ensure correct resistance curve. -
Inspect the wiring run.
Look at the wires from thermistor to control board.
Chafing where the wires pass through grommets is common.
Replace damaged sections rather than tape over them. -
Test a full cycle.
Plug back in.
Run a 30-minute timed dry on heat.
Drum should warm up within a few minutes.
F22 should not return.
If it does, the main board thermistor input has failed — board replacement is 200-400 USD.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the dryer hurt itself running with F22?
No — the dryer stops when F22 latches.
It cannot run a cycle without trustworthy temperature reading.
That is exactly the safety design — running heat with a dead thermistor is how dryer fires start.