Note: Proper airflow is vital for fire safety. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases of recommended cleaning tools.
Is your dryer taking forever to dry and flashing the Whirlpool Dryer AF Error? “AF” stands for Airflow Restricted. This isn’t necessarily a broken part; it’s your machine telling you it’s “choking” on lint and can’t breathe!
⚠️ Steve’s Field Notes: Most people just clean the lint screen, but the AF code usually means the blockage is inside the wall vent or the transition duct behind the machine. If you ignore this, you’re not just wasting electricity—you’re risking a dryer fire.
🎥 The Repair Video: How to Clear Airflow Restrictions
This video shows the step-by-step process of cleaning the internal blower housing and the external vent pipes to clear the AF code permanently.
- 00:15 – What the AF / Airflow code actually means.
- 00:45 – Cleaning the lint trap housing (where the hidden lint hides).
- 01:10 – Steve’s Pro Tip: Inspecting the external vent hood outside your house.
- 02:05 – How to use a vent cleaning brush to pull out deep clogs.
- 03:40 – Resetting the dryer and testing the airflow strength.
🛒 Recommended Vent Cleaning Tools
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The “Must-Have”: Dryer Vent Cleaner Kit
👉 View Steve’s Recommended Cleaning Kit -
Maintenance Tool: Vacuum Hose Attachment
Get deep into the lint trap housing!
🛠️ How to Fix Whirlpool Dryer AF Error
- Clean the Lint Screen: Wash it with soap and water to remove invisible fabric softener film.
- Vacuum the Housing: Use a long attachment to clean the area under the lint screen.
- Check the Back Duct: Unplug the dryer, pull it out, and ensure the silver foil duct isn’t crushed or kinked.
- The Outside Test: Go outside while the dryer is running. Feel the air coming out of the vent. If it’s weak, your wall pipe is clogged.
- Deep Clean: Use a vent brush kit to clear the entire length of the pipe from the outside in.
💡 Steve’s Final Check: If the code persists after cleaning, your Vent Thermistor might be faulty, sending a false “low airflow” signal to the board. But 99% of the time, it’s just a big ball of lint!