Whirlpool Dryer Won't Run/Stop Running/Stay On

If your Whirlpool dryer has been giving you issues recently and you’re not quite sure what to do with it, you’re in the right place. In this article, you’ll learn about the possible modes of action that you can take if your dryer fails to start or if it won’t stop running.

If your dryer won’t run, check that the door switch, start switch, or thermal fuse are in working order. When your dryer doesn’t stop, you might need to replace the timer or thermostat.

For more information on what all these parts are, how to diagnose your machine and realize what is causing the problem, and if you can fix it by yourself without calling the technician, keep reading.

Why Your Whirlpool Dryer Won’t Run or Won’t Turn On?

There could be a few reasons why your whirlpool dryer is not starting. If you’re interested in learning more about them and how to fix them, here is the equipment that you will need:

A multimeter – If you don’t already have one, you can get this AstroAI Digital Multimeter from Amazon.
A paint scraper/spatula/any tool with a flat head that you can use to pry things open
¼” and 5/16″ nut driver
Screwdriver, preferably Phillips Head

Improper Power Source

All-electric dryers need to be connected to a power outlet. These can be three-pronged or four-pronged outlets. You will have two lines of voltage in a three-pronged socket, each carrying approximately 110V, and a neutral line.

The two holes in the socket forming a V-shape contain the hot wires, and the top one that is L-shaped has the neutral line. To check if everything is working correctly, here’s what you need to do:

Insert the two metal tips from the multimeter into a hole for the hot wire, respectively.
Check your reading on the screen. It should be anywhere between 210V – 250V.
Keeping one tip inserted within the hot wire hole, insert the other end into the L-shaped hole for a neutral line. You should get a reading of 110V – 120V.
Repeat step 3 with the other side.

The four-pronged socket is different from the three-pronged one because it contains an additional ground wire. The ground wire acts as a neutral wire, so it shouldn’t have much voltage if any. Repeat the steps above while checking the additional ground wire.

If you don’t get a proper reading, that means that your power source is faulty. You can call an electrician in for a long-term solution, but you could try seeing if other outlets in your house have the proper voltage and connect your dryer to them in the short-term.

What to Do if Your Whirlpool Dryer Turns On but Won’t Run?

Sometimes, your dryer might turn on but refuse to work for some inexplicable reason. In these scenarios, it is likely a mechanical problem, like your door switch not working properly, resulting in the door not closing and the machine refusing to run, or a lint blockage in the pipes.

Door Switch Not Working

Before you attempt to do any mechanical repairs with your machine, check that it is unplugged. You could receive an electrical shock from tampering with a plugged-in device.

Once you open the dryer, look for the door switch. It’s a button situated right at the top between the lid and the opening, but not inside the actual dryer itself.

Once you find it, push it in and see if it releases with a clicking noise. If it does, then it probably means that it is in working condition, though this needs to be re-confirmed. Otherwise, your door switch has jammed, and you should repair it.

To verify if your door switch is working correctly, you need to get the lid off. Here’s what you do:

Take the lead trap out.
Take any screws located near the lead trap off.
Using your spatula, press the catches in to release the top off the lid.
When the lid has popped off, look for the wiring of the door switch. It should be located near the physical button that you saw.
Using a small flathead screwdriver, pry the plastic parts out while putting pressure on releasing the wires.
Close the dryer door.
Setting your multimeter to Ohms, check to ensure that the line is closed. The screen should show you 0 Ohms.

If your dryer door switch has jammed, here’s what you do:

Remove the screws beside the door in the switch button.
Reposition the switch correctly.
Screw them back in.

If the wiring is problematic or your switch has broken, you can hire the parts needed and repair it yourself by replacing it, then follow the same instructions to re-adjust the door switch. You can find a replacement Whirlpool door switch easily; ensure that you enter your Whirlpool dryer model number so that you can get a switch that is suited to your model.

Blown Fuse

The fuse switch is located in the back of the dryer, so unscrew the end and use your metal spatula to get any plastic covering out. The back might look very complicated, but all you need to do is look for the thermal fuse, which has some tips plugged into the machine, like how a phone charger looks when you plug it into the phone.

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on December 8, 2020.

The fuse is heat-sensitive, which is designed to prevent your dryer from catching fire. If you position your dryer near any heat source for an extended period of time, it could unwittingly cause the fuse to blow.

Here’s what you need to do:

Unplug one of the two fuses.
Insert one metal tip of the multimeter into the unplugged section and the other into the other fuse, with all the other wires.
If you hear a long, shrill tone, everything is working as it should be.

If your fuse is blown, you will need to replace it. You can try calling an electrician or buying.

What to Do if Your Whirlpool Dryer Stays On?

Your dryer might stay running for a few reasons – the timer is faulty, the thermostat is defective and doesn’t automatically let the dryer turn off, etc. Please keep reading to learn more about these problems and how to solve them.

Faulty Timer

Some dryers use mechanical timers that rotate like a clock, using a motor to operate switches and have the machine run specific times. If your timer is faulty or shorted contact, it could stay running, causing the device to stay on and not turn off.

Diagnosing and replacing a faulty timer is very difficult for an ordinary person because you will need to ensure that all the wiring is put in place correctly for the replacement part. To replace a timer, you should call the professionals even though it might seem like a waste of money.

Defective Cycling Thermostat and Faulty Door Switch

The cycling thermostat is in charge of cycling waves of heat into the thermostat so that clothes can dry out. If your dryer doesn’t end the drying cycle when clothes are already dry, and the thermostat keeps running, this could be the cycling thermostat’s fault.

A defective thermostat will keep the timer from advancing to the off switch. Replacing a defective thermostat is a technician’s job, so call up the local services and see what they can do for you.

If your dryer doesn’t turn off when you open the door, you might be dealing with a faulty door switch. To fix this issue, refer to the steps above in this article.

What to Do if Your Whirlpool Dryer Stops Running?

If your dryer suddenly stops running in the middle of a cycle, it is likely due to excessive heat buildup. This buildup can be caused by lint blockages in the ducts, or by placing your dryer near a constant heat source. This can result in a blown fuse, or a thermistor issue, in which case you would need to get the parts replaced.

Before replacing any mechanical parts, ensure that your ducts are completely free of lint and see if your machine will restart again.

Final Thoughts

If you’re facing any other problems with your dryer, it would be best to call a technician or see if your product’s warranty still holds. Trying to fix your dryer yourself could be cost-saving, but be sure that you don’t compromise your safety by going ahead when you’re unsure of the procedure.