Maytag Dryer Error Code LOW VOLTAGE FAULT

The LOW VOLTAGE FAULT on a Maytag dryer indicates that the incoming line voltage has dropped below the minimum threshold required for safe and reliable operation. When the control board detects this condition, it initiates a protective shutdown to prevent damage to the motor, heating element, control electronics, and other components that depend on stable voltage levels. Electric dryers typically require 240V (or 208V in some commercial installations) across both legs of a split-phase circuit, while gas dryers require 120V. A drop below acceptable limits on either leg will trigger this fault.

The primary diagnostic entry point is the distribution block located at the rear of the dryer, where line voltage is first received and routed to the machine's internal components. Checking voltage at this point determines whether the problem originates from the home's electrical supply or from within the dryer itself. If voltage at the distribution block reads low or missing on one leg, the fault lies upstream in the home's wiring, breaker panel, or utility supply. If voltage reads correctly at the block but the fault persists, internal wiring or connection integrity may be the issue.

Common contributors to low voltage conditions include a partially tripped circuit breaker, a failing or undersized breaker that cannot maintain voltage under load, loose or corroded connections at the outlet, terminal block, or breaker, and utility supply problems affecting the neighborhood. Older wiring with high resistance due to oxidation can also cause voltage to sag when the dryer draws full current during a heating cycle.