Kenmore Dryer F28 Error: Moisture Sensor Strip Fault
The kenmore dryer f28 error is a fault signal from the control board — this guide walks through what it means, common causes, and safe diagnostic steps. What Does Kenmore Dryer Error Code F28 Mean? F28 on a Kenmore Elite HE dryer built on the Whirlpool 110.xx platform means there is a fault in the […]
Quick Assessment
Answer to continue safely
Is it safe to keep using?
Maybe. F28 does not prevent the dryer from running. You can use timed dry cycles (which do not rely on the moisture sensor) while diagnosing the fault. Do not use automatic/sensor dry cycles with F28 active — cycle timing will be severely incorrect.
Can I reset the code?
Yes. If the moisture sensor strips were coated with residue and cleaning resolves the circuit issue, F28 will not reappear after the cleaning. If the underlying wiring or sensor is physically failed, F28 returns and a hard reset provides no lasting fix.
When to stop immediately?
Stop if you notice: F28 reappears after thoroughly cleaning the sensor strips with rubbing alcohol, Timed dry cycles also malfunction or clothes are consistently over-dried or under-dried even on timed settings.
Symptoms You May Notice
Dryer stops the cycle very early as if the load is already dry
If the moisture sensor circuit reads as a short (very low resistance), the board interprets it as the load being bone-dry before the cycle has run long enough, stopping the dryer prematurely and leaving clothes damp.
Automatic dry cycles run far too long and clothes come out very hot and over-dried
If the sensor reads as open (very high resistance), the board interprets the load as permanently wet and runs the heater at full output until the cycle timed out — resulting in over-dried, very hot clothes and wasted energy.
F28 code on display at the start of an automatic dryness cycle
F28 appears at cycle start when the control board detects that the moisture sensor circuit is outside its expected range before a load has even been sensed — indicating a wiring or sensor strip fault rather than a drying issue.
Timed Dry works normally but Auto cycles behave erratically
Because Timed Dry bypasses the moisture sensor entirely, the dryer heats and tumbles correctly on a timed setting — but switching to any Auto or Sensor Dry cycle produces wildly inconsistent run times and dryness results.
Possible Causes
Corroded, coated, or damaged moisture sensor strips
The two metallic sensor strips inside the drum front have accumulated a coating of fabric softener, mineral deposits from damp laundry, or surface corrosion that insulates them from the load — causing a permanent open-circuit reading.
DIY PossibleBroken moisture sensor wiring harness
The wiring from the sensor strips to the control board has a broken conductor or loose connector, creating an open circuit that the board reads as a sensor failure.
DIY PossibleFailed moisture sensor board or sensor strip assembly
The sensor strips themselves are physically broken, or the small moisture sensor board (on models that use one) has failed internally — requiring replacement of the sensor assembly.
DIY PossibleSafe Checks You Can Do
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1
Clean the moisture sensor strips
Open the dryer door and locate the two metallic bars (sensor strips) on the inside front of the drum, typically below the door opening. Using a soft cloth or cotton ball dampened with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl), scrub the strips firmly to remove any coating of fabric softener residue, mineral film, or light surface corrosion. Allow to dry fully. Run a standard automatic cycle to see if F28 clears.
Dryer sheets and liquid fabric softener both leave a film on moisture sensor strips over hundreds of cycles. Cleaning the strips with rubbing alcohol every 6 months is recommended for all Kenmore Elite models that use automatic dryness sensing.
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2
Inspect and reseat the sensor strip wiring harness
Unplug the dryer and access the area behind the front panel where the moisture sensor strip wires connect to the wiring harness. The sensor strips typically connect via a 2-pin connector. Firmly reseat the connector at both the sensor end and the control board end. Inspect the wire for any obvious breaks, pinching, or chafing where it passes through the drum front panel edge.
The moisture sensor harness on Kenmore Elite front-load dryers runs along the inner edge of the front panel — a common chafe point where the wire insulation can wear through over time.
Tools required
When to Call a Professional
Contact a qualified technician if:
- Sensor strips are physically cracked or the conductive coating is flaking off — requiring front panel disassembly to replace the strip assembly
- F28 persists after cleaning strips and reseating harness — wiring harness continuity test needed
- Moisture sensor harness reads open on a continuity test between the strip end and control board connector
Need Professional Help?
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