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How to Change a Thermistor on a Whirlpool Dryer

Charles Poole

Thermistors are heat sensors found in the dryer behind the back panel of your Whirlpool dryer. When your dryer isn’t drying properly, you may need to replace the thermistor on the unit. Thermistors have wires coming out of them that lead to the control board. These heat sensors tell the control panel how hot the dryer’s drum is getting. When the sensors go out, the dryer will not heat up and the clothes will stay wet.

Replacing the thermistor on your Whirpool dryer will give it heat again.
  1. Unplug your Whirlpool dryer and pull it back from the wall.

  2. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws holding the back panel of the dryer on the unit.

  3. Locate the thermistor on the top right hand side of your Whirlpool dryer. This will be a small platelet with a chip and wires coming out of it. Use your screwdriver to remove the two screws holding the thermistor on the unit.

  4. Unplug the wires from the thermistor.

  5. Plug the wires into your new thermistor. Replace the thermistor on the dryer and the screws holding it in place.

  6. Replace the back panel of the dryer and plug your dryer back into the wall outlet.

  7. Push your dryer back up against the wall and turn it on.