E1Maytag Dryer — Maytag Dryer E1 Error Code
Exhaust thermistor open circuit — temperature sensor failure
E1 on Maytag dryers indicates the exhaust thermistor has failed in an open-circuit state — meaning the sensor is returning no reading at all to the control board. The thermistor (part WP8577274) is mounted on the blower housing and monitors exhaust air temperature throughout the cycle. Without a valid temperature reading, the dryer cannot regulate heat safely, so it shuts down. E1 is distinct from E2, which indicates a shorted thermistor rather than an open one.
Unplug the dryer and locate the thermistor on the blower housing (a small two-wire sensor). Disconnect it and test resistance with a multimeter. At room temperature, a working thermistor should read approximately 10,000–50,000 ohms depending on the model spec. An open circuit (OL) confirms E1. Replacement is one of the simplest Maytag dryer repairs — the sensor clips onto the blower housing and connects with a two-pin connector. The part (WP8577274) costs $10–$25.