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Dryer User interface and keypad: What It Does and Signs It's Failing

The user interface is the front panel you touch: buttons or a membrane keypad, the knob and the display, with a small board behind them. It passes your cycle choice to the main board. On some models the main control and the interface are one board.

How it works

Each key closes a contact when you press it. If a key sticks, the board sees it held down and shows a stuck-key code. When the interface and main board stop talking to each other, you get a communication code instead.

Signs it is failing

• Buttons don't respond, or respond wrongly
• Stuck-key code
• Blank or partly lit display
• Communication code between boards

Stuck-key and interface codes point here. Child Lock or Control Lock also blocks the buttons without anything being broken, so check that first.

Can you replace it yourself?

Turn off Child Lock and unplug the dryer for a minute to reset it. With the power off, press each button to free any that are stuck, and wipe residue off the keys. If the code comes back, the keypad and its board need a technician to diagnose.

Buying the right part

The tech will order by your full model number. Keypads and boards often differ by color or trim within one model family.

Error codes linked to the user interface and keypad

• 006 / F06Control panel key stuck downGE
• CLChild Lock is onLG
• bEA panel button reads as held downSamsung
• ACInternal communication errorSamsung
• CLChild Lock is onSamsung
• F2E1Keypad button stuckWhirlpool
• F2E4 / F2E5Control panel (user interface) faultWhirlpool
• F6E1 / F6E2 / F6E3Communication error between control boardsWhirlpool

Last reviewed 2026-10-19.