F4E3
What code F4E3 means on a Whirlpool tumble dryers, what causes it, and which part to check first.
● SEVERITY: HIGH
Whirlpool F4E3 means: Gas valve relay failure (gas models only). The documented cause is: Gas valve relay failure on control board(common) — The relay controlling the gas valve solenoids has failed, preventing ignition or gas shutoff.
What F4E3 means
Gas valve relay failure (gas models only)
The display shows F4E3 and the machine stops until the fault is cleared.
What the technical documentation says
Causes documented in the technical source published by easybear-appliancerepair.com
| DOCUMENTED CAUSE OR CHECK |
|---|
| Gas valve relay failure on control board(common) — The relay controlling the gas valve solenoids has failed, preventing ignition or gas shutoff |
| Gas valve solenoid coil failure(occasional) — One or both gas valve solenoid coils have failed, preventing the valve from opening |
| Igniter or flame sensor failure(rare) — A failed igniter or flame sensor prevents the control from confirming flame presence |
| Professional Repair |
| Estimated Cost |
| Repair Time |
Replacement parts
Tools you'll need
Before you open anything
Unplug the machine before removing any panel. Lint is flammable: never run a dryer with the filter removed, and clear the duct if the code points to airflow.
What to check, in order
From the quickest check to the one that needs a technician.

Find a specialist
TroubleAtlas Pro
TroubleAtlas Certified

What is the TroubleAtlas Score?
Beyond fault codes and specialists, we rate the reliability of appliance brands and models — a transparent score that owes nothing to the manufacturer. The reference to check before you buy or repair.
See all appliance scores →TA YouTube Channel
Frequently asked questions
What does F4E3 mean on a Whirlpool?
Gas valve relay failure (gas models only) The documented cause is: Gas valve relay failure on control board(common) — The relay controlling the gas valve solenoids has failed, preventing ignition or gas shutoff. · Gas valve solenoid coil failure(occasional) — One or both gas valve solenoid coils have failed, preventing the valve from opening. · Igniter or flame sensor failure(rare) — A failed igniter or flame sensor prevents the control from confirming flame presence. · Professional Repair · Estimated Cost · Repair Time
Can I fix F4E3 myself?
It depends on the part involved: Gas valve relay failure on control board(common) — The relay controlling the gas valve solenoids has failed, preventing ignition or gas shutoff. · Gas valve solenoid coil failure(occasional) — One or both gas valve solenoid coils have failed, preventing the valve from opening. · Igniter or flame sensor failure(rare) — A failed igniter or flame sensor prevents the control from confirming flame presence. · Professional Repair · Estimated Cost · Repair Time Clearing a filter or straightening a hose is within reach of anyone; anything behind a panel means mains electricity and water together — that is a job for a technician.
Does Whirlpool use other codes on this appliance?
Yes: we document 14 other codes for Whirlpool on this tumble dryers. They are listed at the bottom of this page, each with its own meaning.
Does the same code mean the same thing on other brands?
Often not. The same two characters can point to completely different faults depending on the manufacturer — always check the page for your own brand.

