How to Troubleshoot Whirlpool Dryer Problems and Repairs

Whirlpool is a leading brand name when shoppers are looking for a washer or dryer in the United States. As with any type of home appliance, there can be problems with any dryer model (such as Duet or Cabrio) and a need for repairs.

Calling a repair technician can be expensive and time-consuming. There are many problems that you can solve yourself by consulting the troubleshooting tips on the Whirlpool website. With just a few tools and a bit of knowledge, your dryer can be working again.

By understanding a bit more about the dryer's operation and what is causing the problem, even if you can't fix it yourself diagnosing the issue will save the technician some time and you some money.

Interior Dryer Drum Light Issues

Problem: Dryer works well but interior drum light will not come on even after bulb replacement.

An interior drum light may not be essential to the dryer's operation, but it is very helpful. Without an interior light, it is easy to make the mistake of leaving clothes, including single socks, in the drum.

A dryer's door latch or switch and the interior light control electrical systems are on the same circuit. If the door switch is not working properly or has been replaced, the wiring of the interior drum light may not have been done correctly or the wiring has come loose. Check and correct the circuit wiring issues and you should have light.

Dryer Beeps Continuously

Problem: Whirlpool dryer makes a beeping sound every few minutes which sounds like a bird chirping or the sound of a smoke detector when the battery is low. 

Unfortunately, the beeping is a result of a bad control panel. Unplugging or resetting the dryer will not solve the problem. The board will need to be replaced. If you are handy with tools and electronics, you can avoid a service call if you do the work yourself to solve the beeping. To help you access the control panel, you should consult a repair manual.

If you don't feel capable of the repair, it's time to call a technician. Be sure to explain the problem fully and provide the make and model number of your dryer.

Timer Will Not Advance or Stop on Any Cycle

Problem: All of the dryer cycles run and the dial advances, but the dryer will not advance to OFF and stop running.

• Solving this issue will take a bit of detective work by running a couple of different cycles to determine the source of the problem. Run a cycle on the Air Only setting to see if the dryer stops. If it won't advance to OFF on a cycle that has no heat involved, then you need a new timer.
• Now run a cycle that requires heat, like Permanent Press or Normal Dry. If the dryer will not stop on those cycles, then the issue is the temperature sensor in the dryer and the dryer needs a new timer resistor.
• The timer and timer resistor are inexpensive parts. With a bit of time and effort and a good repair guide, you can make the repairs yourself.

Dryer Shuts off After Ten Seconds

Problem: The dryer turns on and a loud buzzing noise occurs, then the dryer turns off after ten seconds. It will restart but stops again quickly.

The buzzing noise is usually caused by something that is binding the drum and keeping it from turning freely. Remove the housing and make sure that the drum belt is intact, check that the drum is balanced and that the drum bearings are not worn.

The short-run cycle is an electrical problem. To diagnose the issue, check each electrical component with a voltage meter to see if they are receiving the correct amount of current. Start with the timer switch and check each electrical part independently and replace any defective components. It is also a good idea to check the thermal fuse. This fuse is what turns off a dryer to prevent fires if the temperature swings wildly in the dryer.

Dryer Heats but Drum Does Not Turn

Problem: The dryer is operating and heating but the drum does not turn.

Dryers are fairly simple machines. They work by tossing clothes about so that heated air reaches all the surfaces. The moisture is then extracted through a vent system. If the dryer drum is not turning, it will take much longer for the pile of clothes to dry.

The drum is turned by a pulley or belt system. If the drum is not turning, most likely the drum belt has either broken or slipped off its track. A replacement will involve removing the outer housing so the interior of the dryer can be accessed. Dryer belts are inexpensive and easy to replace if you are handy with tools.