Maytag Dryer E1 Error: Thermistor shorted
What Does Maytag Dryer Error Code E1 Mean? E1 indicates a shorted thermistor on Maytag Maxima electric dryers and some Bravos-platform models. A shorted thermistor presents near-zero resistance to the control board, which interprets this as an extremely high temperature reading. Rather than allow the heating element to fire into what appears to be an […]
Quick Assessment
Answer to continue safely
Is it safe to keep using?
No. E1 disables heating. While the dryer will not produce heat in this state, operating with an unconfirmed sensor fault is not recommended until the thermistor circuit is verified.
Can I reset the code?
Yes. Hard reset clears transient E1. Persistent E1 requires thermistor or harness replacement — no further reset sequence is defined for E1 on Maytag platforms.
When to stop immediately?
Stop if you notice: E1 returns on every startup after reset, No heat produced across all cycle settings.
Symptoms You May Notice
No heat produced — dryer tumbles cold
The control board disables the heating element in response to the shorted thermistor signal, which it interprets as an already dangerously high temperature.
E1 appears at cycle start
The fault triggers during the board's initial sensor check before heating begins, producing E1 immediately without any heating cycle attempt.
Clothes take extremely long to dry on any setting
Without heating capability the dryer cannot dry laundry on any cycle, only tumbling clothes in ambient air.
Clothes still damp after full cycle
An entire timed-dry or auto-dry cycle completes but laundry remains wet because no heat was produced.
Possible Causes
Shorted thermistor
The thermistor sensor element has internally shorted, causing its resistance to drop to near zero ohms. The board reads this as an extreme temperature condition and blocks heating.
Requires ProfessionalPinched or shorted thermistor wiring harness
The thermistor wires have been pinched against a sharp edge during a previous service, creating a short in the wiring rather than the sensor itself. Replacing the harness resolves the fault.
Requires ProfessionalControl board thermistor input shorted
Rarely, the control board's own thermistor input circuit is shorted, producing a false E1 reading even with a functional thermistor installed.
Requires ProfessionalSafe Checks You Can Do
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1
Hard reset to clear transient E1
Unplug the dryer for 5 minutes and restore power. If E1 clears and does not return, the fault was transient. If E1 appears on the next startup, proceed with professional thermistor testing.
Document whether E1 appears immediately at startup or partway through a cycle — this helps the technician distinguish a static short from a thermistor that shorts when heated.
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2
Note model and thermistor location for technician
Record the full model number from the door frame label. On Maytag Maxima electric models the exhaust thermistor is located in the exhaust duct near the blower. On Bravos MEDB models the cavity thermistor is on the front bulkhead. Sharing this detail speeds up the service call.
E1 and E2 codes are more common on Maytag Maxima (MED) models than on Bravos; confirm your model series when calling for service.
When to Call a Professional
Contact a qualified technician if:
- Thermistor resistance measurement with multimeter
- Wiring harness inspection for pinched shorts
- Control board input circuit diagnosis if thermistor tests good
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