Kenmore Dryer Error Code tE

The tE error code on a Kenmore dryer indicates a fault in the thermistor circuit. The thermistor is a temperature-sensing resistor that continuously monitors the air temperature inside the dryer drum. The control board uses the resistance value reported by the thermistor to regulate heating cycles and prevent overheating. When the board detects that the thermistor circuit is either open (no continuity, indicating a broken wire or failed sensor) or shorted (resistance has collapsed to near zero, indicating an internal component failure), it triggers the tE code and typically halts normal operation to prevent a potential heat-related hazard.

An open thermistor condition usually means the sensor itself has failed internally, or a wire in the circuit has broken or become disconnected at a terminal. A shorted condition occurs when the thermistor's resistance drops abnormally low, which would cause the control board to misread temperatures and could lead to dangerous overheating if left unchecked. Both fault types are definitively diagnosed using a multimeter to measure resistance across the thermistor terminals. A properly functioning thermistor will show a resistance value that changes predictably with temperature, rather than reading infinite resistance (open) or near-zero resistance (short).

Common contributing factors include heat damage to the thermistor from a separate heating system fault, physical damage to the wiring harness, or simple component wear over time. Because the thermistor plays a direct role in temperature regulation, this error should be addressed before continuing dryer operation.