How to Fix Whirlpool Dryer Not Heating

Heating issues are the most obvious problem with almost all types of dryers. The Whirpool dryer heating issue is a rising case with any type of electric or gas-powered dryer which should be handled carefully.

If you just buy your Whirlpool dryer and it’s not heating you can return it to the company. And if the warranty covers it, it’s a win situation for you. All you need to do is to return the Whirlpool dryer on time and request a replacement.

However, if your Whirlpool dryer warranty has expired then you need to look for a way to fix it. So, in this article, we will discuss the reasons why your Whirlpool dryer not heating at times and show you how to replace some of the parts that might have caused these problems.

Why Whirlpool Dryer Not Heating

Table of Contents show

There are a few reasons why your Whirlpool dryer failed to heat up. The reasons are not limited though as it depends on the causes. Therefore, we will list some possible reasons why your dryer is not heating and the possible ways to resolve it.

Blown Thermal Fuse

The thermal fuse is a safety mechanism, it is designed in such a way that if your whirlpool dryer gets too hot, the fuse will trip and then shut off your whirlpool dryer. We can conclude that the main role of the thermal fuse is to prevent fire, it detects when the dryer drum is overheating, then it trips off and your whirlpool dryer will then stop running.

The fuse can be found in the blower housing or the heating element, while in gas models, you will find it at the burner. A blocked exhaust vent is the most common cause of a blown thermal fuse. You need to regularly clean the exhaust vent to prevent the thermal fuse from getting quickly blowing up.

How to Replace Thermal Fuse

Now let’s take you through the steps you have to take, to replace the thermal fuse in your whirlpool dryer:

Disconnect your whirlpool dryer from a source of power.
Remove the panel that is covering the blown thermal fuse.
Remove the wires and mounting screw with a screwdriver, then remove the blown fuse.
Now replace the blown-up fuse with a new fuse, then fasten the screws using the same screwdriver, then re-fix the wires the way you met them before.
Replace your whirlpool dryer panel.
Lastly, reconnect the dryer to a source of power.

Burned Igniter

Without the igniter, your whirlpool washer won’t produce the heat needed to produce a gas flame inside the burner assembly. When the igniter has burned, the gas will not ignite, preventing the dryer from heating. When the igniter doesn’t produce heat, then the ignitor can no longer complete a circuit.

When your whirlpool dryer not heating, you can test the igniter to confirm if it has burned out, to do so use a multimeter to test the igniter.

How to Replace Burned Igniter

Before trying to replace the igniter in your whirlpool washer, You will need the following tools: Flat head screwdriver, Phillips head screwdriver, putty knife, and hex Socket.
First, make sure you unplug your whirlpool washer from a source of power.
Raise the front of the control panel of your dryer, then rotate the dryer top so you can easily remove the screws holding the top of the control panel of your whirlpool washer.
Locate the two clips in between the front door panel and the bottom service panel. Insert a putty knife to release the spring clips. Then pull out the service panel to expose the door springs.
Disconnect the wires of the door switch, then remove the screws that are connecting the panel to the dryer cabinet.
Disconnect the wire connecting the moisture sensor and remove the screws holding the screen duct.
Locate and remove the door switch wires. Now remove the screws found at the top front corners of your cabinet dryer to release the front door panel, then gently pull the door panel off the dryer.
Next, take a picture of how your whirlpool dryer belts are placed around the belt pulley and motor shaft. As this will help you fix it back properly. Now release the belt tension and pull the belt off the motor and pulley.
Grab the dryer drum by its belt and front of the drum to help you to lift it, then pull it out of the dryer so you can have access to the ignitor.
You will find the ignitor inside the tube at the bottom of the dryer. Trace out the wires connecting to the back of the ignitor, then pull them out.
Remove the screws holding the ignitor mounting bracket, and pull away from the bracket and ignitor from the dryer.
Now after you have loosened the screws, holding together the old ignitor and the bracket. Now you can pull the old ignitor away from the bracket.
Install the new ignitor in the bracket, then fasten the screw to hold the new ignitor to the bracket. However, if your ignitor is connected to a tension bracket, you can replace it together with the bracket and the ignitor. However, when installing the ignitor in the bracket, make sure you avoid touching the element on the end of the ignitor.
Now after you have correctly positioned the ignitor bracket inside the burner tube, bolt back the screws you removed earlier.

After the steps above you need to plug back the power cord back to confirm if your whirlpool washer now works perfectly fine.

Whirlpool Dryer Heating Element

The heating element is responsible for warming the air before it enters your whirlpool dryer drum. The metal coil produces heat that is transferred to air inside the electronic coil, this hot air is what dries off your clothes.

The heating element also gets burned. You can use a multimeter, to test for continuity of the heating element. If the heating element is burned out, it could cause your Whirlpool dryer not heating. When this happens then it’s best to replace it.

How To Replace Whirlpool Dryer Heating Element

You can get shocked if the dryer is plugged in. It’s simple to change, all you need is a screwdriver and/or a 6.5mm socket.
First, unplug your whirlpool dryer from a source of power.
Next, pull out your whirlpool dryer exhaust hose and also remove the back panel.
Take a proper look at the back of your whirlpool dryer. Then you will see a long metal housing, usually the color gray on the right side.
Then unscrew the black sensor you see at the top and the one at the bottom
Now remove the 2 wires that are below the bottom sensor, sometimes these 2 sensors could be the problem. Then if this is not the case, you will see a heating fuse under the larger casing at the left with two wires. You should test all sensors with a voltmeter or you should change all 3 sensors.
If the sensors are not the problem then slowly lift the whole grey casing, if it doesn’t come out easily then there are screws that need to be removed.
Then turn your whirlpool washer upside down, you will find a screw holding the element. Unbolt the screw and pull out the element. The element is a coil, it heats up on some metal housing. You can also use a voltmeter to test the element, as this will determine if the heating element is broken or burnt.
Finally install a new heating element, in the reverse steps. Make sure you replace the heating element and replace all the sensors, then also replace the back panel and the exhaust hose.

Other problems that you need to check when your whirlpool washer is not heating include

Unstable Power Supply

Your Whirlpool electric dryer operates on 240 volts, which comes in form of two 120V AC legs. It is very common for one fuse or breaker to trip off and your whirlpool dryer would be able to run but not heat. Therefore when your Whirlpool dryer not heating you need to check the fuse box or circuit breaker should be checked using a voltmeter.

In conclusion, we have briefly taken a look at why your Whirlpool dryer not heating and possible solutions to fix the affected parts of your whirlpool washer.

You May Like These!