---
title: "Dexter F16: the motor drive is overheating"
description: "What F16 means on Dexter F16: the motor drive is overheatings, what to check before booking, and when it is not a failure at all."
url: "https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f16/"
---

# Dexter F16: the motor drive is overheating

F16 is the drive's overheat message.

## What F16 actually means.

F16 is the drive's overheat message. Dexter asks for the drive's heat sink fins and fan cover louvers to be clean and for the cooling fan to run once the drum starts turning.

Dexter commercial appliance display · also shown as DRIVE OH

What to do when F16 shows on the commercial appliance

### Kind of code Controls and power

The controller itself is reporting trouble, or the supply behind it is: a display with dead segments, a keypad that stopped responding after steam or degreaser got behind it, relays that stick, stored recipes or cycles that vanished overnight, a blown control fuse, or one leg of a three-phase feed missing so half the heat or the pump is gone. A full power cycle at the breaker, done as the manual describes, clears a passing glitch; a code that returns, a scorched smell or any sign of moisture behind the panel means the breaker stays off, and that is a visit.

### Usually leads to Commercial controls and board repair

Controllers, touch panels, relays, contactors and interlocks tested, and replaced only when the evidence says so.

### Shows up as Commercial Appliance Error Code on a Combi, Fryer, Dish Machine or Laundry Display

A commercial appliance error code appears as letters or numbers on a combi, fryer, reach-in controller, dish machine or laundry machine display, or as a flashing light or an alarm tone.

### Make Dexter

A Dexter call in a laundromat is often set for opening time, before customers load the row and every pocket of the room is in use.

### Source Dexter common troubleshooting and error code reference for T-Series vended front-loads (Part 8533, 9/19)

Dexter T-Series vended front-load machines (T-300 through T-1450) covered by Dexter's 2019 troubleshooting reference; the drive codes come from the variable frequency drive these models use.

## Before you book, in this order.

Each step comes from Dexter's own guidance for F16 on its commercial appliances. Follow it to the end: the last card says whether this is a visit.

01

Let the machine cool with power off.

02

Make sure the room is ventilated and nothing blocks the back of the machine.

03

Book a visit to clean the drive heat sink and test its fan.

### Still there?

It usually turns into [commercial controls and board repair](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/services/commercial-controls-and-board-repair/). Book with the code and the model number.

### What not to do

F16 is about the drive, not the motor or wash water. It is not F17, which is an overload of the drive or motor.

## What you may notice with it.

The commercial appliance problem F16 tends to arrive with. Answer these at the commercial appliance before anyone is booked.

[All problems](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/problems/)

Before you call

### [Commercial Appliance Error Code on a Combi, Fryer, Dish Machine or Laundry Display](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/problems/commercial-error-code/)

[All 8 causes, cheapest first](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/problems/commercial-error-code/)

Problem

### Commercial Appliance Error Code on a Combi, Fryer, Dish Machine or Laundry Display

8 causes, cheapest first

Where F16 usually leads

## Commercial controls and board repair.

**Controller, touch panel, probe or sensor, relay, contactor, power supply, door switch or interlock, tested before anything is changed · moderate.**

Book a visit [What the job involves](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/services/commercial-controls-and-board-repair/)

## Dexter commercial appliances.

A Dexter call in a laundromat is often set for opening time, before customers load the row and every pocket of the room is in use.

[Dexter commercial appliance repair](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/brands/dexter/)

More Dexter codes

[F1](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f1/) [F2](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f2/) [F3](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f3/) [F8](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f8/) [F9](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f9/) [F13](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f13/) [F14](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f14/) [F15](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f15/) [F17](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f17/) [F18](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f18/) [F19](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f19/) [TEMP SENSOR SHORT](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-temp-sensor-short/)

[All 15 Dexter codes](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/#codes-dexter)

Controls and power on other makes

[Alto-Shaam E02](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/alto-shaam-e02/) [Beverage-Air uLi](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/beverage-air-uli/) [Blodgett Com Error](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/blodgett-com-error/) [Delfield uLi](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/delfield-uli/) [Frymaster E19](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/frymaster-e19/) [Garland E01](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/garland-e01/) [Hatco Communication Error](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/hatco-communication-error/) [Henny Penny E-4](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/henny-penny-e-4/)

[All 59 codes of this kind](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/#family-board)

Dexter builds this

### Commercial laundry equipment

Coin, card and app-paid front-load machines, washer-extractors, stacked units and tumble dryers in laundromats, multi-housing laundry rooms, hotels, gyms and on-premise laundries.

## In Dexter's own words

> This error is over-heating on the VF drive

[Dexter common troubleshooting and error code reference for T-Series vended front-loads (Part 8533, 9/19)](https://www.dexter.com/upl/downloads/library/common-washer-troubleshooting-and-fault-codes.pdf) [Dexter common troubleshooting and error code reference for T-Series vended front-loads (Part 8533, 9/19)](https://www.dexter.com/upl/downloads/library/common-washer-troubleshooting-and-fault-codes.pdf)

Every code on this site is taken from the manufacturer's documentation, never from a forum or a parts listing. Dexter T-Series vended front-load machines (T-300 through T-1450) covered by Dexter's 2019 troubleshooting reference; the drive codes come from the variable frequency drive these models use.

## Dexter F16 commercial appliance repair, where we come out.

The same visit in every metro below: the code, the model number, and a diagnosis before any part is ordered.

[All service areas](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/)

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For the heart of your home.

## Questions about F16.

### Can I clear F16 myself?

Let the machine cool with power off. If it comes back, it needs a visit.

### Why does F16 show up on a Dexter in summer?

A hot room and lint on the heat sink leave the drive less able to cool.

### What is the fan Dexter mentions for F16?

The drive has its own cooling fan that should run once the drum starts turning.

### Can I clean the Dexter drive fins myself?

The drive sits near live wiring, so that cleaning is part of the visit.

---

**[Read on the site: Dexter F16: the motor drive is overheating](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f16/)**

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