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Maytag Dryer AF / F4 E3 Error Code
Airflow restricted: check the lint screen and vent on Maytag dryers.
Air isn't getting out of the dryer the way it should. Maytag blames a clogged lint screen or vent, or a vent run that's crushed, kinked or has too many turns. The dryer keeps going while the code shows, but drying slows down and the lint buildup is a fire hazard.
Compatible models
Maytag's dryer code list includes AF and F4 E3 without naming models; Sears PartsDirect lists F4 E3 for Maytag Centennial dryers.
Also shown as
Maytag lists AF and F4 E3 as the same airflow warning. Sears PartsDirect lists F4 E3 as an airflow restriction on Centennial dryers.
Difficulty
Most people can clear this one at home with simple checks.
Not sure you are reading the code right? See how to read Maytag dryer codes.
How to fix Maytag AF / F4 E3
Empty and wash the lint screen
Pull the screen out and peel off the lint. If water beads up on the mesh instead of running through, scrub it with warm soapy water and a soft brush to remove dryer-sheet residue, then dry it fully.
Straighten the duct behind the dryer
Unplug the dryer and slide it forward a few inches. Look for flattened or sharply bent duct and straighten it. If a gas dryer won't move far without pulling on its gas line, stop there. Swap any white plastic or foil duct for the metal type your installation instructions allow.
Check the outside vent flap
Go outside and find the vent hood. The flap or louvers should swing open freely; pull out lint, leaves or nests and knock off ice or snow. Lint packed deep in the run can be cleaned with a dryer vent brush kit from the dryer end.
Clear the code
Touch any key to clear AF or F4 E3 and go back to the time remaining. Run a heated cycle for 10 minutes and feel for a strong, warm stream of air at the outside hood.
When to call a technician
A long vent run through an attic, roof or wall that you can't reach is a job for a dryer vent cleaning company. Don't keep drying loads with a blocked vent; on a gas model it can also push combustion gases back into the house.
Parts linked to AF / F4 E3
These are the parts most often behind this code. Tap one to see what it does and the signs it is failing.
Order parts by your full model number so they fit.
Step-by-step guides for this problem
- Dryer Not Heating? Electric and Gas Causes and Safe Fixes
Start with the free checks: a no-heat cycle such as Air Fluff, a tripped half of the 240-volt breaker on electric dryers, or a closed gas valve on gas models.
- Dryer Takes Too Long to Dry? Fix the Vent Before It's a Fire
When a dryer still heats but needs two cycles to finish a load, look at the exhaust vent first: lint buildup, a crushed duct behind the machine or a run that's too long are the usual reasons.
- Dryer Won't Start? Door, Breaker, Fuse and Switch Checks
Most dryers that won't start have a door that isn't fully latched, a start button that wasn't held for 2 to 5 seconds, a control lock that's on, or a tripped breaker.
Frequently asked questions
Which Maytag models show the AF / F4 E3 code?
Maytag's dryer code list includes AF and F4 E3 without naming models; Sears PartsDirect lists F4 E3 for Maytag Centennial dryers.
Can I fix Maytag AF / F4 E3 myself?
Usually, yes. Most AF / F4 E3 problems clear with simple checks you can do at home. Start with the first step above: empty and wash the lint screen.
Other Maytag dryer codes
- PFPower failure interrupted the cycle
- L2 / F4 E4Low or missing line voltage on an electric dryer
- ERRDoor isn't closed and latched
- F2 E1A control panel button is stuck
- F2 E4 / F2 E5Control panel internal fault
- F1 E1Main control board fault (motor relay)
- F1 E3 / F1 E4Control unit or wiring problem
- F3 E1Exhaust thermistor failure
- F3 E2Moisture sensor failure
- F3 E3Inlet thermistor failure
- F4 E1 / F4 E2Heater relay failure
- F6 E2 / F6 E3Communication failure between boards
- F7 E1Motor system error
Last reviewed 2026-10-20. Codes and steps can vary by model; check your owner's manual.