Whirlpool · Dryer Serious
F26 — Drive Motor Fault
The control cannot start or sense the drive motor running correctly. The drum either won't spin or stops shortly after starting.
- Keep using it?
- Limited use only
- DIY difficulty
- Hard
- Verified against
- atoz1.com ↗
How to fix it
- Unplug the dryer.
- Open the cabinet and inspect the motor connector on the main control board for blackening, melted plastic, or loose pins.
- Check that the drive belt is intact and properly routed over the idler pulley.
- Spin the motor pulley by hand to confirm it isn't seized.
- Test motor windings per the tech sheet (resistance values are on the sheet inside the dryer).
- Replace the burnt connector and harness pigtail if available, or replace the motor if windings are bad.
Why it happens
Typical signs: Drum won't turn · Humming sound but no rotation · Dryer starts then stops within seconds · F26 on display
- Burnt motor connector The high-current motor connector on the control board has overheated, melting the plug and breaking continuity.
- Failed drive motor Motor windings open, start switch in the motor failed, or the motor is seized.
- Belt off the drum Without belt tension on the idler, some platforms cannot start the motor cleanly and throw a motor fault.
- Main control board Failed motor drive circuit on the main electronic control board.
Parts you may need
If diagnosis points to a failed part, these are the common replacements. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
More Whirlpool dryer codes
Always unplug an appliance before servicing it. This guide is for informational purposes and is not a substitute for a qualified technician. Verified against manufacturer documentation: atoz1.com.