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Dryer Thermistor (temperature sensor): What It Does and Signs It's Failing

Electronic dryers use thermistors to read air temperature. The outlet or exhaust thermistor sits on the blower housing or in the exhaust air path, and some models add an inlet thermistor in the heated air going into the drum. The control uses those readings to turn the heat on and off.

How it works

A thermistor's resistance changes as it warms up. The control reads that resistance and turns it into a temperature. If the reading is out of range, from a failed sensor or a broken wire, the dryer stops with a sensor code.

Signs it is failing

• Temperature sensor code
• Dryer won't heat, or runs too hot
• Cycles end too early or run too long
• Code that shows up mostly in a cold garage or laundry room

Thermistor open and short codes point here or to the wiring between the sensor and the board. On LG dryers, a cold room or a cold duct can set a temperature code until the dryer warms up.

Can you replace it yourself?

Clean the lint screen and vent, and let a cold dryer warm up before you chase a sensor code. To replace one, unplug the dryer, take off the back or front panel, and swap the sensor at its connector. Check that connector for burn marks while you're in there.

Buying the right part

Inlet and outlet thermistors are different parts, so check which one your code names before you buy.

Error codes linked to the thermistor (temperature sensor)

• 001 / 002 / 003 / 004Temperature sensor (thermistor) faultGE
• tEOutlet thermistor circuit faultGE
• d80Exhaust vent is restricted (Flow Sense)LG
• tE1Temperature sensor (thermistor) faultLG
• tE2Thermistor fault, often in cold weatherLG
• hEHeating errorSamsung
• tSTemperature sensor faultSamsung
• C1Vent test could not runSamsung
• F3E1Exhaust temperature sensor (thermistor) faultWhirlpool
• F3E3Inlet temperature sensor (thermistor) faultWhirlpool
• E1 / E2Temperature sensor fault (older electronic models)Whirlpool

Last reviewed 2026-10-19.