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The Duet line of washers and dryers from Whirlpool enjoys considerable popularity due to the high efficiency and reliability of the appliances. Similar to other machines used around the house to make our lives easier, your Duet dryer can sometimes not work as expected. If you have some heating problems or the appliance refuses to start, try following our comprehensive troubleshooting guide. Diagnosing and repairing the operating issue of your dryer might appear challenging but it’s not as difficult as it seems if you follow the proper procedure.
Before calling a professional technician to handle the problem, you should consider tackling the job yourself. There’s a considerable chance that you’re only dealing with a small, common dryer issue that’s fairly easy to fix.
1. Check the Power/Gas Supply First
If your Whirlpool Duet Dryer doesn’t receive the necessary power needed, it obviously won’t start no matter what. Always check the circuits too, because they might be tripped. Ensure that the dryer is plugged in as it’s possible that it was unplugged by mistake. If this is the first operating time, make sure that it receives power from either a 220 or a 240-volt supply. Anything less than that will result in failure to operate.
The Whirlpool Duet series of dryers also features gas-powered models. If you have this kind of unit, verify whether it’s connected to the gas supply. If the valve is closed, it’s possible for the dryer to turn but it won’t be able to produce heat. Make sure the gas valve is set to the open position. It could be necessary to check the entire gas supply line to see if it’s working as expected.
2. Next Up, Clean the Lint Screen
Keeping the lint screen is a necessary task that you need to deal with if you want to maintain your dryer in proper working condition. A clogged lint screen can cause various problems such as door latch malfunctioning which in turn may result in the dryer failing to start. All that residue buildup can also affect the heating system of the dryer and reduce operating efficiency.
Cleaning the lint screen isn’t particularly difficult. You just need to find it first. It’s typically located somewhere at the top of the Whirlpool dryer or in the door opening. There’s usually no need for additional tools because all excess lint can be removed by hand directly. Make sure the screen is closed after cleaning. It needs to sit in its proper place to keep the dryer working correctly after each load. Deep cleaning with a brush and detergent is recommended a couple of times a year if you’re looking to keep the dryer in peak working condition.
3. Avoid Soaking-Wet Clothes
Clothes that are too wet shouldn’t be placed in the dryer. That excess moisture can create the impression of a malfunctioning dryer. It’s possible that your appliance is actually heating properly but the clothes cannot be dried as desired if they’re soaking wet. The solution to this problem is to only put damp clothes in your dryer. It’s fairly easy to check the level of wetness by hand. As a side note, you might have a problem with the spin cycle of your washer if your clothes end up soaking wet.
4. Last Resort, Replace the Thermal Fuse if It’s Blown (It’s Actually Pretty Easy)
Watch this video to replace the thermal fuse yourself:
Thermal fuses are mandatory on all dryers to ensure that your appliance won’t become a fire hazard. If the temperature goes over an acceptable threshold, the thermal fuse is activated and the dryer shuts down. You won’t be able to start the dryer again until the fuse is properly replaced. It’s simply a precaution to avoid the risk of overheating.
Blown thermal fuses can be replaced quite easily without the need for a specialized technician. If the glass housing appears darkened, it’s safe to say that you need to buy a replacement for the fuse. The Whirlpool manual should provide the necessary part number to purchase a new thermal fuse but also check to see if the series is written on it.
5. If Everything Else Fails, Call a Professional, Because Replacing The Heating Element Might Be Too Complicated
If you’ve dealt with all the common issues and your Whirlpool Duet dryer still doesn’t start, it’s very likely that you’re facing a more complex mechanical problem. In the case of electric dryers, the heating element can often become faulty and needs to be replaced. Similarly, gas-powered models can have defective gas valve solenoid coils. In those cases, only a certified technician should handle the repair process, especially if the dryer’s warranty is still valid. It’s best to avoid DIY solutions at this point and find a professional that can disassemble the machine and troubleshoot the exact cause of failure.
