How to Troubleshoot a Whirlpool Duet Dryer Not Heating?

Is your Whirlpool Duet dryer not heating, and it’s frustrating? Well, while frustrations are typical, such a problem is DIY fixable. You, however, must first identify the cause, which is where this troubleshooting guide comes in.

Overall, a Whirlpool Duet dryer won’t heat up due to lack of power supply, inadequate airflow, wrong temperature, or a defective part. Defective parts, in this case, could include the heating element, cycling thermostat, moisture or flame sensor, igniter, control board relay, or gas valve solenoid. 

We’ll discuss what could go wrong with all those dryer components, determine if they are faulty, and how to fix them.  We’ll also discuss the other three issues and their troubleshooting.

Hopefully, the tips I’ll share will enable you to get your Whirlpool Duet dryer into its optimal heating position.  But first, let’s look at putting your duet dryer on diagnostic mode to allow you to identify the source of the problem quickly.  

In a rush? See below the quick troubleshooting guide for your non-heating Whirlpool duet dryer.

Quick Fixes to A Whirlpool Duet Dryer Not Heating

How to Put a Whirlpool Duet Dryer That’s Not Heating On Diagnostic Mode?

Before discussing the probable causes of a non-heating duet dryer in-depth, let’s look at how you can diagnose the problem. Here are the quick steps for running a diagnostic on a Whirlpool duet dryer:

• Put your duet dryer on standby mode (keep it plugged into the electric outlet but don’t turn on its light indicators)
• Press these buttons in the same order within 5 seconds: more time, less time, more time, less time
• Wait for the dryer to display ’88’ and any error indicating what’s wrong with your duet dryer

Once you view the error code, you can check out what it means on Whirlpool‘s official page, after which you can go ahead with the fixes I’ll share or those that Whirlpool recommends.

4 Probable Reasons Your Whirlpool Duet Dryer Not Heating Plus Fixes

Below is a troubleshooting guide for a Whirlpool Duet dryer that won’t heat up. Likely, your duet dryer won’t heat up due to one of these four reasons:

1. The Duet Dryer Might Be Lacking Power

If your duet dryer doesn’t get any power, it won’t heat up. That could be due to:

• Being off – Sometimes, the issue could be as trivial as forgetting to turn on your duet dryer. So, check it.
• Tripped circuit breaker – If there is a power issue, the circuit breaker would trip. If it does, your dryer won’t heat up or start.
• Blown-up thermal fuse – The thermal fuse will blow up to protect your dryer from overheating or catching fire. That’s likely to happen due to a power fault and will cut off the power and prevent the dryer from overheating.
• Defective power cord – If the power cord is faulty, the dryer won’t start or heat up.
• Faulty electric outlet – Also, check the electrical outlet/power socket for fault as it could be why your duet dryer won’t heat.

Fix 

If the duet dryer is off, turn it on and if the circuit breaker is tripped, reset it correctly. As for the thermal fuse, power cord, and electric outlet, use a multimeter to test their continuity.  If any does not show continuity, replace it.

2. Possible Inadequate Air Flow

If the issue is not lack of power, it could be insufficient airflow.  That’s likely to be the case due to any of these reasons:

• Clogged lint screen – Sometimes, debris and dirt block the lint screen. Once that happens, moisture retains in the dust dryer’s drum, preventing the dryer from heating up. Additionally, the clogged lint screen blocks off the air supply, hampering the dryer from heating.
• Blocked air vent – The air exhaust vent may block the air supply if it’s kinked or clogged with lint or dirt, preventing the dryer from heating.

Fix 

Inspect the lint screen and clean it with a towel soaked in warm soapy water if it’s dirt-clogged. Alternatively, use a vacuum cleaner.

And if the air vent is blocked, untwist or unclog it with a dryer vent cleaner such as the Holikme Dryer Vent Cleaner . The dryer vent cleaner features a 30-feet hose, drill attachment, and lint brush to make dryer vent cleaning seamless.

3. Wrong Temperature Setting

If you don’t set the dryer at the right temperature, it won’t heat up after starting. So, you must check the air temperature setting and ensure your duet dryer heats up correctly.

For example, the dryer won’t heat up if the Cool-Down or Air-Fluff mode is on.

Fix 

Deactivate the Cool-Down or Air-Fluff mode if any of them is on, and choose the right temperature for your duet dryer.

4. A Dryer Component Could Be Defective

Now, if the problem has nothing to do with lack of power, inadequate airflow, or wrong setting, it’s highly likely that one critical component is faulty. Overall, here are the most susceptible parts. 

• Heating element – The heating element heats the duet dryer. So, if it’s faulty, which could occur if it’s detached, damaged, or burnt, the dryer won’t heat up.
• Cycling thermostat – The cycling thermostat’s job is to monitor and regulate the dryer’s heating temperature. It turns the dryer’s heating element on/off, and so if it’s faulty, it won’t trigger the heating element to run, preventing the dryer from heating.
• Moisture sensor – The moisture sensor detects wet clothes and signals the control board for heating to occur. So, if it’s malfunctioning, it won’t sense the damp laundry, meaning the dryer won’t heat.
• Flame sensor – For the flame to burn and heat the blower housing, the flame sensor has to sense wet clothes and relay the information. That, however, won’t happen if the sensor is faulty.
• Igniter – Check the igniter for fault if you have a gas duet dryer. This little feature ignites to produce a flame that heats the blower housing. If it’s burnt, the blower housing won’t turn on.
• Control board relay – The duet dryer control board has a relay feature that regulates power delivery to the dryer’s heating element. If this relay is faulty, the heating element won’t have the power to heat up.
• Gas valve solenoid – If you also have a gas-powered duet dryer, then you should check the valve solenoid. Its job is to allow gas flow to the dryer’s burner assembly. So, if it’s faulty, the dryer won’t heat up. 

Fix 

Use a thermostat to test the heating element, cycling thermostat, moisture and flame sensor, igniter, control board relay, and solenoid valve for continuity. If any of these components fail to show continuity, it must be defective.

And if so, you should replace it with a genuine Whirlpool part. Consider this Whirlpool replacement kit. The kit features a dryer heating element, thermal fuse, and thermostat cut-off. Thus, you can replace any of the three components if they are faulty.

5. Whirlpool Duet Dryer Not Heating After Power Outage

There are two primary explanations for a Whirlpool duet dryer that won’t heat up after a power outage. They are as follows:

• Tripped breaker – If there’s an over voltage, the dryer’s circuit breaker may trip to protect the dryer from overheating or flaming up. Once the breaker trips, the dryer won’t heat up. 
• Blown fuse – A power outage could also lead to the thermal fuse blowing out. This safety device’s job is to protect the dryer from fire and overheating, and it does that by blowing up.

Fix 

Inspect the circuit breaker. If it’s tripped, consider resetting it before starting your duet dryer. As for the thermal fuse, test it for continuity with a multimeter. If it’s defective, replace it.

People Also Ask

1. Why Is My Whirlpool Duet Dryer Not Heating Up?

Your Whirlpool duet dryer is not heating up because it’s not getting any or enough power, its air vents or lint screen is blocked, or you’re using the wrong temperature setting.

It, however, could also be due to a faulty heating element, thermostat, sensor, igniter, control board relay, or gas valve solenoid.

2. How Do You Fix a Whirlpool Dryer That Is Not Heating?

You can only fix a non-heating Whirlpool dryer if you know its cause. Common causes include lack of power, inadequate air supply, wrong setting, and part malfunctioning.

So, ensure the dryer gets enough power and is not blocked and that you choose the right temperature setting. And if the faulty heating element, igniter, sensor, control board relay, thermostat, or gas valve solenoid is defective, replace it.

3. Why Is My Dryer Running But Not Getting Hot?

Your dryer is running but not getting hot because there is probably no gas flow. Perhaps it’s because of blocked vents or poor air supply. Other possibilities include a tripped breaker, faulty heating element, or blown thermal fuse.

4. How Do You Check the Thermal Fuse On a Whirlpool Duet Dryer?

You can check the thermal fuse on a Whirlpool duet dryer for fault using a multimeter. If the fuse doesn’t show continuity, it is burnt or defective and needs a replacement.

How can you determine if the gas valve is malfunctioning?

To determine if the gas valve is malfunctioning, you can follow this procedure. Start by observing the burner closely. If you notice that the ignitor glows momentarily and then shuts off without igniting the gas, there’s a high possibility that the gas valve is the culprit behind the issue. This symptom suggests that the gas valve is not properly releasing or regulating the flow of gas to the burner. By carefully monitoring this behavior, you can ascertain if the gas valve is malfunctioning and may need to be repaired or replaced.

How can you test if a flame sensor is defective?

To test if a flame sensor is defective, you can follow a few steps. Firstly, ensure that the dryer is disconnected from the power source to avoid any potential hazards. Locate the flame sensor, which is usually found near the burner assembly. Once located, carefully disconnect the wires connected to the sensor.

To test for continuity, set your multimeter to the resistance or continuity mode. Touch the multimeter probes to the terminals of the flame sensor. If the multimeter reading shows a value of zero resistance or beeps to indicate continuity, this means that the flame sensor is functioning properly.

If the multimeter reading does not change or remains open (no continuity), it indicates a defective flame sensor. In such cases, the flame sensor will need to be replaced with a new one to ensure proper ignition of the dryer.

It is important to note that while testing the flame sensor, it is crucial to take appropriate safety precautions and adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent any accidents or damage.

What could be the cause if a gas dryer operates but doesn’t heat?

How can I replace the gas valve?
To replace the gas valve in your Whirlpool dryer, follow these steps:

What are the symptoms of defective coils?
The symptoms of defective coils in a gas dryer include the ignitor glowing for a brief period but failing to ignite the gas.

How can I test if the coils are the issue?
To test if the coils are the issue, you’ll need to watch the burner. If the ignitor glows for a short amount of time, and then turns off without igniting the gas, this indicates that the coils may be defective.

What could be the cause if a gas dryer operates but doesn’t heat?
If a gas dryer operates but doesn’t heat, the coils may be defective.

If your Whirlpool Duet dryer is not heating up, there could be several factors contributing to this issue. One possible cause is a lack of power supply or inadequate airflow, which can hinder the proper functioning of the heating element. Another possibility is that the temperature settings are incorrect, preventing the dryer from reaching the desired heat level. Additionally, a faulty part could be to blame, such as a defective heating element, cycling thermostat, moisture or flame sensor, igniter, control board relay, or gas valve solenoid.

To accurately diagnose the problem, it is important to consider these potential causes and perform a thorough inspection. However, if you have a gas dryer, it is worth noting that Their article offers a more specific answer tailored to your situation. It suggests that defective coils may be the culprit if your Whirlpool gas dryer operates but does not heat consistently. To confirm if this is the issue, you can observe the burner and check if the ignitor glows briefly before shutting off without igniting the gas.

Considering both Your article and Their article will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the possible causes behind your Whirlpool Duet dryer not heating up.

What is a possible issue if a gas dryer does not ignite?

What part might need to be replaced if the dryer does not ignite?
If the dryer does not ignite, the part that may need to be replaced is the flame sensor.

What is a possible cause for a gas dryer not igniting?
One possible cause for a gas dryer not igniting could be a faulty flame sensor.

A possible issue if a gas dryer does not ignite could be a faulty igniter. Check the igniter for fault if you have a gas duet dryer. This little feature ignites to produce a flame that heats the blower housing. If it’s burnt, the blower housing won’t turn on. Another possible cause for a gas dryer failing to ignite is a malfunctioning flame sensor. This essential component is responsible for detecting the presence of a flame. If the flame sensor goes bad, your dryer will not ignite, so the part will need to be replaced. It’s important to ensure that both the igniter and flame sensor are in good working condition to facilitate the ignition process and heat production in your gas dryer.

Why is my Whirlpool dryer not heating up?

How can these additional causes be addressed?
To address the additional causes, you can check if the dryer is properly connected to a power source and if the circuit breaker is functioning correctly. Ensure that the airflow is not obstructed and clean the lint filter and vent. Adjust the temperature settings to the appropriate level. If the control board relay is malfunctioning, it may need to be replaced. Troubleshooting these areas can help resolve the issue of a Whirlpool dryer not heating up.

Are there any other common causes for a Whirlpool dryer not heating up?
Apart from the specific parts mentioned earlier, other common causes for a Whirlpool dryer not heating up can include a lack of power supply, inadequate airflow, incorrect temperature settings, or a malfunctioning control board relay.

What specific parts could be defective?
The specific parts that could be defective in a Whirlpool dryer include the heating element, gas valve solenoid, thermal cut-off fuse, cycling thermostat, and flame sensor. These components are commonly responsible for the lack of heating in the dryer.

How can these issues be fixed?
To fix these issues, you can follow the specific steps for each problem. For a burnt heating element or gas valve solenoid, they will need to be replaced. If the thermal cut-off fuse is burnt, it should be replaced as well. For a defective cycling thermostat or gas ignitor, they will need to be replaced with new ones. If the flame sensor is malfunctioning, it may need cleaning or replacement.

What are the main reasons a Whirlpool dryer may not be heating up?
A Whirlpool dryer may not be heating up due to several main reasons, including a burnt heating element or gas valve solenoid, a burnt thermal cut-off fuse, a defective cycling thermostat or gas ignitor, or a malfunctioned flame sensor.

“When your Whirlpool Duet dryer fails to produce heat, there are several potential culprits to consider. Lack of power supply, inadequate airflow, incorrect temperature settings, or faulty components could all be contributing factors. Defective parts, such as the heating element, cycling thermostat, moisture or flame sensor, igniter, control board relay, or gas valve solenoid, may be the root cause of the issue. In order to thoroughly troubleshoot and address this problem, it is important to examine each of these dryer components for any signs of malfunction. By carefully inspecting and testing these parts, you can determine if they are indeed faulty and take the necessary steps to fix them. Additionally, we will delve into the other three common issues that can lead to a lack of heat in your Whirlpool dryer and provide troubleshooting tips for each. By combining a comprehensive understanding of potential problems with detailed instructions for their resolution, we aim to empower you to successfully diagnose and rectify any heating problems in your Whirlpool dryer.”

Closing Remarks On Whirlpool Duet Dryer Not Heating

In general, it’s worth checking for possible power failure, insufficient airflow, wrong temperature, and part malfunctioning when your Whirlpool duet dryer won’t heat up.

Regarding part malfunctioning, test the heating element, cycling thermostat, motion sensor, flame sensor, igniter, control board relay, and gas valve solenoid for continuity and replace whatever defective component.

Also Read:

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• How to Fix a Non-Drying Whirlpool Cabrio Dryer
• Why Your Brand New Samsung Dryer Won’t Heat