How to Troubleshoot the Thermal Fuse of a Whirlpool Dryer

A red clothes dryer

If your Whirlpool dryer has mysteriously stopped producing heat, a blown thermal fuse may be the cause of your problem. In Whirlpool dryers, thermal fuses are safety switches that are designed to disrupt the flow of electricity to your dryer's heating mechanisms once the dryer reaches a predetermined maximum temperature, usually somewhere around 180 degrees F. Thankfully, troubleshooting the thermal fuse in a Whirlpool dryer is easier than it sounds.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Towel
• Electrical tape
• Replacement thermal fuse, if necessary

Instructions

1. Clean out the lint screen in your Whirlpool clothes dryer. Lint buildup can cause your dryer to overheat, triggering the thermal fuse to disrupt power to your dryer's heating mechanisms. Take the lint screen out of your Whirlpool dryer and wash it in warm water. Dry the screen thoroughly before replacing it.

2. Look behind the dryer to check its flexible exhaust hose for kinks or obstructions. Disconnect the exhaust hose from the back of your dryer and clean out any lint that has built up.

3. Go outside and check your Whirlpool dryer's exhaust vent for obstructions. Lint buildup, bird nests or other obstructions in the outside exhaust vent can trigger your dryer's thermal fuse.

4. Disconnect your dryer from its power source before attempting to access its thermal fuse.

5. Access the thermal fuse in your Whirlpool dryer by removing the back panel. Remove the screws that hold the back panel in place and it should easily come free.

6. Look between the dryer's blower housing and exhaust to locate its thermal fuse. The thermal fuse in a Whirlpool dryer looks like a white plastic strip that has two wires connected to it.

7. Bypass the thermal fuse in your Whirlpool dryer while you perform a quick diagnostic test. Use electrical tape to tape together the two wires connected to the thermal fuse. Reassemble your dryer and plug it back in. Set the dryer to a timed heated drying cycle and press "Start." If the dryer produces heat with its thermal fuse bypassed, it means the thermal fuse needs to be replaced.

8. Replace a blown thermal fuse in your Whirlpool dryer. Disconnect the power and remove the back panel. Remove the electrical tape that you used to perform the diagnostic test and disconnect the wires from the thermal fuse. Remove the screws that secure the thermal fuse to the dryer and discard the blown fuse. Attach the replacement thermal fuse by replacing and tightening the screws. Attach the wires to the new thermal fuse.

Tips & Warnings

• Have a small magnet on hand to hold loose screws while you troubleshoot your Whirlpool dryer.

• Make sure all power is disconnected from your Whirlpool dryer before attempting to troubleshoot it.

• Do not operate your Whirlpool dryer with the thermal fuse bypassed. You should only bypass your dryer's thermal fuse while performing the diagnostic test described in step 7.

References

• "Cheap & Easy! Clothes Dryer Repair"; Douglas Emley; 2003
• Dave's Repair: Thermal Fuses
• Whirlpool: Dryer Model WED5300VW User Guide

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Whirlpool: Owner Center
• Whirlpool: Manuals and Guides