Maytag Dryer AF Code: Meaning & Fixes
- Meaning
- Restricted airflow: the lint screen or the vent is clogged, or the vent is crushed, kinked or has too many turns. The dryer keeps running, but drying takes longer.
- Can I fix it?
- Yes, usually a DIY fix
- Also shown as
- Check Vent
- Seen on
- Maytag electric and gas dryers with electronic displays. Some models show a Check Vent light instead of AF; that light works only on Automatic cycles.
AF on a Maytag dryer means restricted airflow: the lint screen or the vent is clogged, or the vent is crushed, kinked or has too many turns. The dryer keeps running, but loads take longer to dry. Clean the lint screen first, then check the vent run and the outside exhaust hood.
Try this first
- Touch any key to clear AF and return to the time remaining.
- Clean the lint screen.
- Straighten any crushed or kinked vent between the dryer and the wall.
- Clear lint and debris from the outside exhaust hood.
- Run a heated Timed Dry cycle to see if the code returns.
What causes AF
| Cause | What you notice | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Full or clogged lint screen | AF on most loads, long drying times | Clean the lint screen |
| Crushed or kinked vent behind the dryer | AF after the dryer was pushed back or moved | Inspect the vent run from the dryer to the wall |
| Lint buildup inside the vent or exhaust hood | Weak airflow at the outside hood | Feel the airflow outside with the dryer running |
| Vent too long or too many elbows | AF that returns even with a clean vent | Compare the run with the limits in the Installation Instructions |
Fix it step by step
Tap a step number to tick it off as you go. Ticks stay on this device.
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Clean the lint screen
Pull out the lint screen, remove all lint and slide it back in fully.
-
Test the airflow outside
Run the dryer for 5 to 10 minutes and hold your hand under the outside exhaust hood. If the airflow feels weaker than a hair dryer on high, the vent system needs cleaning along its full length.
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Inspect the vent behind the dryer
Unplug the dryer, pull it out and check the vent between the dryer and the wall for crushing, kinks and lint. Straighten or replace a damaged section and clear the exhaust hood of lint and debris.
Safety: Electric dryers run on 240 V: unplug before moving the dryer. On a gas dryer, move it gently and don't strain or disconnect the gas line.
-
Check vent length and elbows
Make sure the vent run is within the length and number of elbows the Installation Instructions allow for your vent type.
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Run a Timed Dry test
Restart the dryer and run a heated Timed Dry cycle. If AF still appears, have the whole home vent system cleaned by a venting specialist.
When to call a technician
AF is a venting warning, not a control fault. If it persists after the lint screen, vent run and exhaust hood are clear, Maytag recommends having the home venting cleaned by a venting specialist. Maytag also sells a dryer vent test part that helps confirm a restriction; contact Maytag to order it.
Questions people ask
Can I keep using my Maytag dryer with the AF code?
The dryer keeps running with AF, but loads take longer and lint builds up faster. Clear the restriction soon rather than ignoring the code.
How do I clear AF from the display?
Touch any key and the display returns to the estimated time remaining. The code comes back on later cycles until the airflow problem is fixed.
Is AF the same as the Check Vent light?
Both warn about low airflow. The Check Vent light comes on during the sensing phase of an Automatic cycle and stays on for that cycle. It clears at the end of the cycle, when you touch Power or open the door.