Dryer displays E12 and may not heat properly, often associated with very long dry times

Safety first: Unplug the dryer before accessing internal wiring. Cleaning the sensor bars can be done with power off and door open.

Step-by-step checks:

• Clean sensor bars: Locate the metal moisture sensor bars inside the drum (usually near the lint filter area). Clean them thoroughly with rubbing alcohol and a soft cloth or fine abrasive pad to remove dryer sheet residue.
• Inspect sensor wiring: Access the area behind the sensor bars from inside the cabinet. Check for broken wires or loose connectors on the sensor harness.
• Continuity test: With the harness disconnected, test continuity across each sensor bar pair while bridging them with a damp cloth. The meter should show continuity when bridged and open when not.
• Control board: If the sensor and wiring are intact, the moisture sensing circuit on the main control may be defective and require board replacement.

When to call a technician: If E12 persists after cleaning and basic checks, a technician can perform advanced diagnostics on the control board.