Dryer stops shortly after starting, display shows E02, drum may tumble briefly then shut off
Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Disconnect power at the wall or breaker. The heater circuit carries high current and can cause serious shock or burns.
Step-by-step checks:
- Check airflow: Remove the exhaust hose from the back of the dryer. Inspect for lint clogs, crushed sections, or long runs with multiple elbows. Clean or replace the venting as needed. Run a short test cycle with the vent disconnected (in a well-ventilated area) to see if the error clears.
- Access thermal fuse and thermostats: Remove the rear panel to access the blower housing and heater assembly. Locate the thermal fuse (small, usually white plastic body) and high-limit thermostat (round metal disc).
- Test components: With a multimeter set to continuity, test the thermal fuse and high-limit thermostat. Both should show continuity at room temperature. If either is open, replace it. Always address airflow issues before replacing parts or the new parts may fail again.
- Inspect heater element: Visually inspect the heater coil for breaks or coils touching the metal housing. Test for continuity between the heater terminals and the housing; any continuity to ground indicates a shorted element that must be replaced.
When to call a technician: If the new fuse/thermostat blows again quickly, or if you are not comfortable testing high-voltage heater circuits, seek professional service.