A power failure, not a fault
PF is the dryer's way of saying the power dropped mid-cycle, which by itself is not a machine fault at all.
What PF means
Denton Repair Services' Whirlpool dryer error code guide states it directly: "PF means a power failure interrupted the cycle. Usually harmless on its own, but repeated PF codes point at an electrical supply problem worth investigating." So a single PF after a brownout or a tripped circuit is expected; the machine is just reporting the interruption.
When repeated PF matters
The useful signal is repetition. The source's point is that PF "usually" means nothing on its own — the moment it recurs, the code stops being a history note and starts pointing at the supply or the circuit feeding the dryer, which is then worth investigating rather than resetting past.
Non-official repair reference — this page summarizes a technician's guide; it is not a Whirlpool service manual.
Source and date
Source: Denton Repair Services — Whirlpool Dryer Error Codes · Checked 2026-11-12.