My Whirlpool Dryer Won’t Start! What Should I Do?

Whirlpool electric dryers can be found in many houses as they perform without problems, maintenance isn’t difficult, all parts are replaced if necessary. One of the common problems with a Whirlpool is that the dryer simply won't start. This can be caused by a couple of problems. The situation when all lights are on but the dryer doesn’t start indicates that thermistor or a thermal fuse are in doubt. The thermistor is the dryer's temperature sensor, which is usually mounted on the blower housing. If it doesn't detect temperature properly, replace it. If it has a catastrophic failure and ceases working at all, the dryer usually displays a fault code. The thermal fuse is a safety device designed to protect the dryer from overheating. The fuse is located on the blower housing or at the dryer’s heat source such as the heating element on electric dryers or at the burner on gas models. The fuse should be closed for continuity meaning it has a continuous electrical path through it when good. If overheated the fuse will have no continuity meaning the electrical path is broken and the fuse has blown. A multimeter can be used to test it for continuity. Be aware that a blown thermal fuse is an indication of a restricted exhaust vent from the dryer to the outside. Always check the dryer venting when replacing a blown thermal fuse. Bear in mind that all dryer models differ and there are a number of reasons why they won’t start, so the above fixes may not be the answer to your particular case. Contact a professional helper to investigate the current situation with your appliance.