So, you have tossed some wet clothes into your dryer, but it won’t start. What might be the problem?
A whirlpool dryer makes washing and drying clothes a breeze, irrespective of the size of your laundry load.
But sometimes, these appliances can fail to operate properly. This can be very frustrating because the setback can ruin your daily laundry routine.
Furthermore, troubleshooting a whirlpool dryer is tricky when you don’t know where to start. But worry not, we got you covered!
Below we will discuss the common cause for your whirlpool dryer not starting even when it has power. Understating these potential causes will make it easier to fix your dryer.
Whirlpool Dryer Won’t Start but has Power
1. Power Source Issues
You might have plugged-in your whirlpool dryer, but it doesn’t mean it’s receiving enough power from the wall socket.
Confirm if the appliance is receiving a consistent 240 V from the outlet by plugging in a 100 watts bulb. If your dryer comes with a control panel, check if there’s light on the panel. The absence of light means the dryer lacks power.
For electric dryers, something as simple as a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker can stop them from starting. So, check your home circuit breaker box for any sign of tripped breakers and flip them back on. If dealing with blown fuses, replace them.
Avoid extension cords at all costs since they can’t transmit sufficient electricity to power your appliance. Besides that, extension cords create a fire hazard and threaten your safety.
2. Blown Thermal Fuse
Like a faulty start switch, a blown thermal fuse can prevent a dryer from initiating the drying cycle. A thermal fuse ensures the dryer operates in peak condition.
It prevents it from overheating and damaging the motor and other components by cutting the power supply. And when it’s not working properly, your dryer won’t start, heat, or run.
Perhaps the leading cause of thermal fuses blowing up is clogged exhaust vents. When lint builds up inside a dryer’s vent, it causes the appliance to overheat, triggering the fuse to blow.
As such, it’s wise to clean the vents at least once a year to promote good airflow. Alternatively, you can hire an expert to help you with your dryer maintenance to avoid such situations. Electrical problems and installation can also lead to blown thermal fuses.
Conduct a multimeter test to access the continuity of your fuse. If it shows no continuity, replace it with a new one.
3. Defective Start Switch
The start switch transmits an electric charge that powers the dryer’s motor. The motor, in turn, rotates the drum, thus the humming sound. Once the drum reaches a certain temperature, a fan blows in the air inside the drum to dry the clothes.
But over time, the start switch wears out. So, if your whirlpool dryer remains silent after pressing the start button, the start switch is faulty and requires a replacement.
Visible signs of a faulty start switch include cracks and discoloration on the surface. If you don’t observe these, use a multimeter to test the component’s continuity.
4. The Dryer Door is Not Latched Well
If you don’t latch the dryer door properly, the dryer will not begin the cycle when you press the start button. Check if all your laundry is in the dryer and if nothing is trapped between the door and the dryer. Once you have done that, push the door gently to ensure it closes and latches correctly.
If it won’t close, you are probably dealing with a broken latch. Visually inspect the door latch for signs of damage. If you observe any, consider replacing it.
A faulty door switch might also prevent it from latching well. The switch tells the dryer motor to begin the cycle once the door is closed. To test if the door switch is working correctly, open the dryer’s door and press the switch. If it returns, then it’s faulty and you need a replacement.
5. Faulty Drive Motor
A whirlpool dryer motor works to drive the tumbling system that rotates the clothes inside the drum. It turns the belt responsible for the tumbling action.
After many years of use, a dryer’s motor gets worn out. As a result, it spins slowly or stops spinning entirely. If this happens, your dryer might not start even when it’s connected to power. Obstructions can also affect motor performance.
If you’ve pressed the start button but the dryer does not tumble or produce a humming noise, the problem might lie with the motor. The first step to troubleshooting is to check the motor’s blower wheel for any obstructions. If you find nothing, chances are the dryer’s motor is defective and needs a total replacement.
However, replacing the motor yourself might prove difficult, so it’s best to hire a professional.
6. Drive Belt Problems
As said above, the drive belt is an integral part of the mechanism that keeps laundry in a continuous motion while they tumble dry. Like the motor, the drive belt wears out because of high-speed rotation and increased friction.
And as it ages, it dries out, becomes frayed, and eventually reaches a breaking point. When this happens, the belt might snap, preventing the dryer’s drum from tumbling clothes.
Even if the motor and heater continue to run, your clothes won’t dry. Some dryers fail to start entirely if the belt breaks.
If you suspect that the drive belt is the cause of your dryer issue, open the front panel of the machine to access the belt. Observe the belt for signs of wear, tear, stretching, or breakage.
If you see either, replace the belt. It’s a simple fix that can get your dryer up and running in minutes. But if you’re not comfortable fixing electric machines, reach out to an expert.
7. Belt Switch
Not all dryers come with a belt switch. But if your dryer includes a belt switch, that might be the reason it’s not starting. Usually attached to the motor, the belt switch senses when the drive belt is in its place.
If the drive belt breaks, the belt switch turns off the appliance and keeps it off until the drive belt gets replaced. Like most electric components, this switch can fail and stop your dryer from working even when the drive belt is intact.
Power on your dryer, and if it produces a humming sound but doesn’t start, it’s a sign the drive belt is functioning properly. Next, open the top panel and find the belt switch where the drive belt connects to the motor.
Test the switch’s continuity with a multimeter. If it doesn’t have continuity, it’s flawed and you should replace it. You can also hire a professional to help you replace the malfunctioning belt switch.
8. Short Out Mother Board
The motherboard or main control board helps your dryer carry out a variety of processes, including timing, transmitting power to various components, controlling temperature, and much more. Basically, it ensures your dryer is in good shape and delivers the best performance.
Although rare, the motherboard sometimes fails. So, if all the other parts of your dryer are working perfectly but the machine isn’t starting, it’s worth looking into its main circuit board.
A licensed technician can help you test and inspect the motherboard for signs of burning or short-circuiting.
9. The Dryer’s Settings
Lastly, a whirlpool dryer not starting could be because of the wrong settings. If everything functions properly, check the drying cycle settings you have selected.
The automatic cycle feature in most dryers allows the machine to dry your wet clothes. However, you can also select other settings like wrinkle reduction and timer or effective drying.
But keep in mind, some settings may affect how and when your dryer functions. For instance, the wrinkle reduction setting won’t start the dryer immediately. The reason is that it needs to fluff the clothes to reduce wrinkles once they dry.
Also, other settings turn off your dryer to prevent accidental start when you are not around. Such settings include the Control Lock that promotes your children’s safety.
If your dryer’s Control Lock option is active, just press the Cycle section button and hold it for 3 seconds to disable the feature.
Learn more about the dryer’s cycle and settings by reading the product manual.
Bottom Line
A dryer not starting even when it has power could mean there is something wrong. Maybe the electricity is not sufficient to power the dryer, or you didn’t close the latch on the door properly.
Either way, the causes of the problem could range from something as simple as wrong settings or a bad thermostat to as complex as a damaged motherboard.
It’s crucial to understand the most common reasons behind your dryer failure so you can get it up and running once again.
But remember, you cannot handle every problem. Some might require the help of a licensed contractor or expert to avoid future problems.
If you believe we’ve missed out on some common causes of dryer not starting or you have some questions, leave us a comment below.