What should I check first for Whirlpool dryer error F4E1?

With the dryer unplugged, check the wire harness connections between the control board's heater relays and the heating element.

What usually causes Whirlpool dryer error F4E1?

Heater relay on the electronic control board failed

F4E1Medium

Whirlpool dryer error F4E1

F4E1 means the dryer's heater relay has failed.

Also shows as F4 E1

Symptom
F4E1
Free checks
3 checks
Most likely cause
Heater relay on the electronic control board failed

The 3 free checks

Start at the top. Unplug the machine first.

01
With the dryer unplugged, check the wire harness connections between the control board's heater relays and the heating element.
02
Examine the heating elements for visible damage.
03
Turn off the dryer's circuit breaker(s) for one minute, then turn them back on and start a timed dry cycle to see whether F4E1 returns.

What causes it

Listed most likely first.

Cause	How often	DIY
Heater relay on the electronic control board failed	Most common	Yes
Heating element failing to heat correctly	Common	Yes
Wire harness connecting the heater relay and heating element to the control board	Occasional	Yes

Before you check anything

Disconnect the power first. Unplug the machine at the socket, or switch off its circuit at the consumer unit if it is hard-wired. Do this before opening any panel, reaching into a pump filter, or moving the appliance.
Turn off the water before disconnecting a hose, and have a towel and a shallow tray ready — a drain hose holds water even when the drum looks empty.
Gas, mains wiring and sealed refrigeration are for a qualified professional — in many countries that is a legal requirement, not advice. If you smell gas, do not touch any switch: leave, and call your gas emergency number from outside.
Stop if you smell burning, see scorched wiring, or find water near an electrical connection. None of those is a code to look up.

The checks on this page are the manufacturer’s own, rewritten and sourced, and they are reference information rather than a repair instruction for your particular machine. Model, age and installation all change what is safe to do. You are the one standing in front of it — if a step looks wrong for the machine you have, trust that and call a technician.