All machines and appliances are bound to malfunction or get broken somewhere along the line. While electric and gas dryers are fairly simple machines like your typical Whirlpool washer dryer or just the dryer, they provide a function many people could not live without. As a dryer ages, parts may fail and cause decreased performance and eventually total failure. A common side effect of this is the dreaded Whirlpool dryer not heating. Fortunately, Whirlpool dryer not heating repair and troubleshooting is often very affordable and quick.
Whirlpool Dryer Not Heating Solutions
If you do not wish to attempt the repair yourself, many appliance parts stores offer diagnosis services. You might also consider a local electrician or repair person. However, many of the fixes for a Whirlpool dryer not heating are actually quite easy to perform yourself to fix dryer problems. Caution should always be taken when performing your own repairs, as they require accessing the internal components of your dryer. Always disconnect any electrical sources and turn off any gas connections before attempting repairs.
A general list of items to check when attempting to troubleshoot a Whirlpool gas dryer not heating problem includes the following parts:
- Lint trap and exhaust ducting
- Hot surface igniter
- Fuse-able link
- Coils
- Gas valve
- Flame sensor
- Temperature control sensor
- Moisture sensor
- High limit temp sensor
What To Do?
The easiest of these to check is the lint trap and exhaust ducting. Depending on your specific dryer, the lint trap may be in a few areas. Some dryers have the lint trap on top of the dryer housing. In the case of a Whirlpool duet dryer not heating, check in the lip of the door for the lint trap.
When checking the exhaust ducting, removing the duct from the rear of the dryer and shining a flashlight down its length might provide better visibility. The ducting should be clear of any lint build-up and obstructions or kinks. A clogging exhaust duct is a leading cause of Whirlpool dryer not heating problems. Be sure to check that the external flap on the exhaust duct is operating properly as well. This is often located on the outside of your home or building. If the duct is clogged, a cleaning brush can be purchased at many hardware retailers. Exhaust flaps are often only a few dollars and can be found at the same stores.
Another potential cause of Whirlpool dryer not heating problems is the hot surface igniter. This is the part that helps light the burner in the dryer and heat the air. Troubleshooting this part is easy. Depending on your dryer, access to the part can be obtained in one of two ways:
- 1. Removing the small peephole cover on the lower-front panel of the dryer.
- 2. Removing the back cover of the dryer.
After doing this you are ready to troubleshoot your Whirlpool gas dryer not heating problem. Simply turn the dryer on to a regular timed cycle and observe the hot surface igniter. If functioning properly, it should glow a bright orange. Allow the dryer to run for approximately 20 minutes. This will ensure that the high temp limit sensor is not triggering and shutting off heat. If the glow is weak or non-existent, remove the assembly and replace the hot surface igniter by loosening the screws and installing a new element. These are easily found at most local appliance repair stores.
If this does not fix your Whirlpool dryer not heating problem, taking the assembly to a local repair shop or appliance part store can provide easy troubleshooting of most parts. Since many of them are solid parts or electrical components, at home troubleshooting can be difficult. However, basic troubleshooting can be done with an ohm meter. If the coils, fusible link, flame sensor, temperature control sensor or moisture sensor do not show continuity through the part, they should be replaced. And as always, it is highly recommended to let the professionals do the replacements for the best results. Hence, going online in your search for Whirlpool accredited service centers should be relatively easy and fix that Whirlpool dryer not heating problems in a jiffy. With this, you may find information from internet to know how to fix a dryer.