Having issues with your Whirlpool dryer not drying clothes properly or stopping mid-cycle? Don’t worry – this guide will walk you through the top Whirlpool dryer problems and repairs to get your appliance back up and running again.

Common Whirlpool Dryer Issues

Here are some of the most common Whirlpool dryer problems homeowners experience:

Dryer Not Heating

If your Whirlpool dryer isn’t drying your clothes, lack of heat is likely the issue. Several faulty parts can cause the dryer not to heat, including:

Faulty heating element – This is the most likely culprit if the dryer isn’t heating. The heating element generates the heat that dries the clothes. If it is defective, the dryer won’t heat properly.
Thermal fuse – This safety device stops electricity from flowing if the dryer overheats. If the thermal fuse is blown, the dryer won’t heat at all.
Thermostats – Dryer thermostats regulate temperature. If they are faulty, the heating element won’t turn on.
Gas valve coils – On gas dryer models, defective valve coils prevent gas from flowing to the burner. This results in no heat.

Dryer Not Spinning

If the dryer drum isn’t spinning, clothes won’t tumble and the cycle won’t run properly. Here are potential causes:

Belt – The drive belt connects the motor to the drum. If it is broken or loose, the drum won’t spin.
Idler pulley – This part allows the belt to move the drum. A seized pulley prevents spinning.
Motor – If the drive motor is defective, the drum won’t spin. Burnt out windings are a common motor issue.
Drum support rollers – Worn out rollers won’t let the drum spin smoothly.

Dryer Takes Too Long to Dry

There are a few reasons why a Whirlpool dryer is taking longer than normal to dry loads:

Exhaust vent clog – Lint buildup in the exhaust vent prevents moist air from escaping, prolonging drying time.
Blower wheel – If the blower wheel is clogged, it can’t properly vent out hot air.
Thermostats – Faulty thermostats that don’t allow the dryer to heat to the proper temperature will extend drying time.
Moisture sensors – Defective moisture sensors trick the dryer into continuing the cycle beyond when clothes are dry.

Noisy Dryer Operation

Squeaking, grinding or thumping noises often signal a mechanical issue:

Belt – A loose, worn belt that slips on the pulleys makes a loud squealing noise.
Idler pulley – A damaged pulley bearing sounds like a high-pitched squeal.
Drum support rollers – Worn out rollers cause a thumping noise as the drum spins.
Blower wheel – Clothing stuck around the blower wheel produces a grinding sound.

Dryer Shutting Off Mid-Cycle

If the dryer stops running before the cycle finishes, there are several possible defective parts:

Thermal fuse – When blown, this stops electricity from flowing to the dryer.
Door switch – If the door isn’t firmly closed, this safety switch won’t allow operation.
Motor – A defective motor can cause the dryer to abruptly turn off during a cycle.
Belt – A broken belt will cause the drum to stop spinning, shutting off the dryer.

Step-by-Step Whirlpool Dryer Troubleshooting

Now that you know the most common Whirlpool dryer issues, here are the steps to diagnose and pinpoint the problem:

1. Gather Information About the Issue

When did the problem start? Was it sudden or gradual?
What symptoms are occurring? No heat, won’t spin, loud noise, etc?
Does the problem occur every time or only sometimes?
Have any repairs been done recently?

Tip: Run through a full cycle to observe when the issue occurs.

2. Visually Inspect the Dryer’s Exterior

Check the dryer vent outside to ensure flapper is open and vent hood is clear.
Confirm screen on vent hood is clean and not clogged.
Make sure dryer is level side-to-side and front-to-back. Uneven installation can cause issues.
Ensure the dryer is firmly plugged into a dedicated outlet.

3. Visually Inspect the Dryer’s Interior

Open the dryer door and check the interior light turns on. No light could mean a faulty bulb or door switch.
Check the drum spins freely by hand. Stiff spinning could indicate a belt issue.
Look under and around the drum for foreign objects that could cause noise or obstruction.
Examine the drum seals for wear or cracks. Worn seals allow air leakage.

4. Manually Test Components

Do a quick blower wheel check by removing the vent pipe to ensure it spins freely.
Test the thermal fuse for continuity with a multimeter. No continuity means the fuse is blown.
Unplug and reconnect door switch wire. If dryer starts, switch is likely defective.
Check the dryer motor by removing the belt and starting a cycle. If drum doesn’t spin, motor is bad.

5. Use a Troubleshooting Guide

Most Whirlpool dryer issues point to a defective part. Refer to the brand’s troubleshooting guide using your model number to narrow down the issue based on the fault code or symptom. The guide provides next steps to isolate the problem.

6. Test Components with a Multimeter

Once you’ve isolated the potential faulty part, do continuity or resistance tests with a multimeter to check if components are functioning. Key parts to test:

Heating element – Check for continuity. No continuity means it needs replacement.
Thermostats – Test continuity through temperature cycles. Failure to open/close indicates defect.
Fuses – Test fuses for continuity to determine if blown. No continuity means it’s bad.
Gas valve coils – Check coil resistance. Out of spec means valve is defective.

7. Replace Defective Part

After you’ve diagnosed the issue and tested components, it’s time for the repair. Refer to repair videos or service manuals for your model for step-by-step guidelines to replace the part. Some common replacements:

Heating element – Remove rear panel, disconnect wires, unscrew element, and transfer to new one.
Belt – Release tension pulley, slip off old belt, then install new one.
Drum support rollers – Unclip springs, remove rollers, transfer any slides/clips, install new rollers.

Be sure to test for proper operation after any repair before reinstalling Dryer panels.

FAQs About Whirlpool Dryer Repairs

Having trouble diagnosing your Whirlpool dryer problem? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

How can I determine if the motor or belt is bad?

First, remove the belt and start a timed dry cycle. If the drum doesn’t spin without the belt, the motor is faulty. If the drum spins freely, the issue is likely the belt.

Why does my dryer keep blowing thermal fuses?

Frequent blown fuses usually indicate a restricted exhaust vent. Lint buildup causes overheating, which blows the thermal fuse. Clear any lint obstruction and replace the fuse.

My Whirlpool dryer won’t start at all. Where do I begin troubleshooting?

First, confirm the outlet is supplying power and the dryer is getting voltage. Then inspect the door switch, start button, and timer contacts using a multimeter to test for continuity. Failure likely points to a defective part.

I hear a loud squealing sound. Is this a belt problem?

Yes, a loud squealing is almost always caused by a loose, worn out drive belt that is slipping on the motor pulley. Replacing the belt should resolve the noise issue.

Why does my dryer make a thumping sound?

A rhythmic thumping sound is typically caused by worn out drum support rollers. As the drum rotates, it “thumps” against the worn rollers. Replacing them restores smooth spinning operation.

My dryer runs but clothes take forever to dry. What should I check?

Restricted airflow and no heat are the most common causes of abnormally long drying times. Check the exhaust path for lint blockages, the airflap for being stuck closed, and the heating element/thermostats for proper operation.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting Whirlpool dryer issues involves gathering information about symptoms, methodically inspecting components, testing parts with a multimeter, and referencing troubleshooting guides to pinpoint the problem. Once diagnosed, replacement of the faulty part is usually required to get the dryer functioning again. With some diligent work and electrical testing, you can absolutely figure out what’s wrong with your Whirlpool dryer and get it fixed so you can once again have warm, dry clothes.

How to Troubleshoot Whirlpool Dryer Problems and Repairs

Having a Whirlpool dryer that suddenly stops drying properly can be frustrating. But with a few troubleshooting steps, you can diagnose and fix many common Whirlpool dryer problems yourself. This guide will walk through the top issues Whirlpool dryers face and show you how to get your appliance back up and running.

Step 1: Gather Information About the Issue

Before you start taking things apart and testing components, take a moment to thoroughly observe the dryer’s symptoms. Important things to note include:

When did the drying problem start happening? Was it sudden or gradual?
What exactly is the dryer doing – not heating, not spinning, loud noise, etc?
Is the issue intermittent or recurring every time?
Have any repairs been done to the dryer recently?

Running the dryer through a full cycle while closely monitoring the operation can help pinpoint when and how the failure is occurring.

Step 2: Check the Dryer Vent System

One of the first things to check when a Whirlpool dryer is not operating properly is the external venting.

Examine the entire length of the vent system from the dryer cabinet to the exterior vent hood for the following issues:

Blocked airflow due to built-up lint
Kinks or crushed areas restricting venting
Accumulated lint or debris clogging the exterior vent hood
Vent flap stuck closed and not allowing moist air to escape

Cleaning out any lint obstructions or debris from the vent system is an easy fix that can solve many dryer drying issues.

Step 3: Verify Proper Dryer Installation

Another external item to check is the dryer installation itself. An improperly installed dryer can lead to performance problems.

Check that:

The dryer is level side-to-side and front-to-back. Being out of level can obstruct operation.
The outlet is rated for the electrical load and is on a dedicated circuit.
The power cord and vent connections are secure.
There is sufficient clearance behind and around the dryer for ventilation.

Correcting the installation or clearance can potentially resolve drying problems.

Step 4: Inspect the Dryer Interior

With exterior factors eliminated, the next step is to open the dryer and inspect the internal components.

Check the following:

Drum turns freely by hand. Restricted turning could indicate a worn belt.
Rollers and slides under the drum are intact. Damaged or worn rollers will impair spinning.
Belt is in good condition and installed properly.
Interior light comes on with the door open. No light could mean a bad door switch.
Listen for odd noises during operation. This can signal worn parts.

Spotting any damaged components early can help diagnose the problem faster.

Step 5: Manually Test Components

You can manually test a few Whirlpool dryer parts outside of running a full cycle:

Blower Wheel – Remove the blower housing and vent pipe. Spin the blower wheel by hand to ensure it rotates freely.

Door Switch – Disconnect the switch from the control console. Use a multimeter to check it for continuity when activated. If none, it is likely defective.

Heating Element – Unplug the dryer and use a multimeter to test the heating element for continuity. No continuity means it needs replacement.

Thermal Fuse – Check for continuity on the thermal fuse with a multimeter. No continuity indicates the fuse has blown and needs to be replaced.

Step 6: Use Whirlpool’s Troubleshooting Guide

Most Whirlpool dryer issues can be narrowed down by utilizing the brand’s troubleshooting guide.

Locate the guide using your model number. It provides step-by-step diagnostics using the fault code or symptom to zone in on the likely defective part.

The guide can save time trying to determine what component could be causing the failure.

Step 7: Replace the Defective Part

Once you’ve used testing and troubleshooting to determine the faulty component, replacement of the part is needed to get your Whirlpool dryer back up and running.

Some common Whirlpool dryer repairs include:

Heating Element – Unplug wires, remove screws, pull out element, transfer to new one.
Worn Rollers – Detach springs, slide off rollers, transfer any clips, install replacements.
Drive Belt – Release tension pulley, remove old belt, loop new belt into place.
Door Switch – Disconnect wires, unscrew switch, transfer wiring to new switch.

Refer to repair videos or service manuals for step-by-step details on your specific model. Test operation carefully before reinstalling panels.

Key Takeaways on Whirlpool Dryer Repairs

Methodically diagnose the issue using fault codes, testing, and troubleshooting guides.
Inspect the dryer venting system and installation as a first step.
Visually check internal components for any damage.
Manually test parts like the door switch, heating element, rollers, and thermal fuse.
Use Whirlpool’s troubleshooting guide to isolate the problem.
Replace defective parts causing the dryer failure.
Carefully test operation after any repair.

Following these troubleshooting steps will help you repair many common Whirlpool dryer issues you may encounter. Proper diagnosis paired with replacement of damaged parts will have your dryer drying loads perfectly again.