Typically, you would suspect the lack of power as the reason a dryer won’t start. But what if your Whirlpool dryer won’t start but has power? Then what? What else other than power could stop it from running?
Your Whirlpool dryer won’t start despite having power due to a non-pressed start button, inadequate power, locked controls, wrong setting, unlatched door, damaged start switch, defective dryer belt or motor, faulty belt switch, or shorted control board.
Those are the ten issues you must check if you want your Whirlpool Cabrio dryer to power on and start running, and I’ll help you do it. I’ll discuss the issues and their most applicable DIY fixes to enable you to troubleshoot your lovely dryer quickly.
After that, we’ll discuss similar issues on a Whirlpool gas dryer, Cabrio, and Duet before addressing the most frequently asked questions about the same. So, here we go!
In a rush? Below is a quick troubleshooting guide for the ten issues that can stop a Whirlpool dryer from starting.
Whirlpool Dryer Won’t Start But Has Power – Quick Troubleshooting Guide
| – | Likely Cause | Quick Fix |
| 1. | Non-Pressed Start Button | Hold down the start button for at least 3 seconds. |
| 2. | Inadequate Power Supply | Ensure the dryer is firmly plugged into a working wall outlet (not an extension cord), reset the breaker if tripped off, and replace a burnt thermal fuse. |
| 3. | Locked Controls | Disable Child Lock or Control Lock |
| 4. | Wrong Setting | Choose the correct dryer setting. |
| 5. | Unlatched Door | Ensure you properly latch the dryer door. |
| 6. | Damaged Start Switch | Replace the start switch if it fails the continuity test. |
| 7. | Defective Dryer Belt | Replace a worn-out or frail dryer belt. |
| 8. | Defective Motor | Replace the motor if it won’t run. |
| 9. | Faulty Belt Switch | Replace the belt switch if it fails the continuity test. |
| 10. | Shorted Main Control Board | Replace the main control board as your last option. |
Why Won’t My Whirlpool Dryer Start But Has Power?
Generally, there are about ten issues to consider when your Whirlpool dryer has power but can’t start. Those issues are as follows:
1. Non-Pressed Start Button
You can’t just tap the start switch and expect the dryer to start almost instantly. Ordinarily, you should hold down this button for a few seconds to engage the dryer motor and spur it to run.
Fix
Hold down the start switch for at least 3 seconds to give the dryer enough time to engage the motor.
2. Inadequate Power Supply
Yes, your dryer might appear to have power, but if the power supply is insufficient, the dryer won’t start. That often happens due to these issues:
- Loose plugging – If the power cord is not firmly fixed onto the socket, the dryer might not get enough power to run.
- Extension cord – An extension cord often doesn’t allow the dryer to receive maximum power, and so, even though the dryer might turn on, it may not start.
- Tripped breaker – If there was a power surge, it could have tripped the circuit breaker. Once that happens, your dryer won’t have enough power to start.
- Burnt thermal fuse – The power surge might also burn the thermal fuse, and once that’s the case, the dryer won’t get adequate power to start.
- Inadequate voltage supply – It’s vital that the wall socket supplies the correct amount of voltage – 240V. If that’s not the case, the dryer won’t start.
Fix
First, confirm that the power cord is firmly fixed to the power outlet. Remember, it should be a wall socket and not an extension cord.
To ensure the wall socket produces the correct voltage amount, plug in a portable 100W bulb to see if it will turn on. If it doesn’t, then you should call an electrician.
Meanwhile, check the breaker box for a tripped-up breaker and reset it. Additionally, check for signs of burning on the thermal fuse and replace it.
3. Locked Controls
Whirlpool dryers usually have the Control Lock or Child Lock function that prevents kids from operating them. Once this safety feature is enabled, it locks all the controls on the control panel apart from the power switch and the door, which means the start button becomes nonresponsive.
So, check if the Control Lock or Child Lock is on, as it usually illuminates on the control panel if it is.
Fix
If Control Lock or Child Lock is on, deactivate it. You can do that by holding it down for at least 3 seconds.
4. Wrong Setting
Some settings stop the dryer from starting or may allow it to run for a specified period. For example, Timed Dry will only enable the dryer to run for a specific period. In contrast, Wrinkle Control will only allow it to run under low heat, and you may assume that the dryer isn’t running when it is.
Fix
Ensure you pick the correct setting for your Whirlpool dryer. Of course, the setting has to match the laundry type.
5. Unlatched Door
Whirlpool dryers can sense when the door is not latched correctly; in such a case, they won’t start. It could be that something, perhaps clothing or debris, is blocking the dryer door from completely latching or that the door latch is damaged.
Fix
Check if anything is obstructing the dryer door and remove it. If the door latch is broken, replace it.
6. Damaged Start Button
Though you may hold down the start button for a few seconds, it won’t engage the dryer if damaged. So, inspect it or use a multimeter, as I explain under the fix.
Fix
Test the start button with the multimeter to determine if it is working. The lack of continuity proves otherwise, necessitating its replacement.
7. Defective Dryer Belt
The dryer belt is a critical component that turns the motor to allow the dryer to run. Once it’s defective, perhaps worn out, the dryer motor will make some noise as if it’s running, but it won’t turn.
Fix
Inspect the dryer belt for wear, frailty, and other signs of defectiveness, and replace it if that’s the case.
8. Defective Motor
A defective motor won’t run, and if it doesn’t run, then the dryer won’t start. Overall, it could be that the motor is just worn out. So, inspect it for wear.
Fix
Replace the dryer motor if it shows signs of wear.
9. Faulty Belt Switch
Though not all Whirlpool dryers have a belt switch, it’s worth checking out if it’s present. This small switch is attached to the dryer motor to engage it once the belt sits in position. If it’s faulty, it won’t engage the dryer motor, which will stop the dryer from starting.
Fix
Test the belt switch with a multimeter to see if it has continuity. Replace it if it doesn’t.
10. Shorted Control Board
Lastly, consider that your Whirlpool dryer might not start because of a short-circuited main control board. This control board is like your dryer’s brain, controlling every operation. If it’s short-circuited, your dryer will not start.
Fix
Try to identify signs of burns on the main control board. If that’s the case, replace the control board.
Whirlpool Gas Dryer Won’t Start But Has Power
If you have a Whirlpool gas dryer that won’t start despite having power, it could be that the power is not enough. Perhaps the gas supply is not fully turned, the power cord is loose, or the thermal fuse is burnt (given that gas dryers also have the thermal fuse).
If that’s not it, it could be due to an incorrect setting, an active Control Lock, an improperly latched door, or a defective start switch. But first, you must press the start switch long enough and test it with a multimeter before pronouncing it faulty.
Whirlpool Duet Dryer Won’t Start But Has Power
Your Whirlpool Duet dryer won’t start even though it seems to have power due to several issues. They include the following:
- Loosely attached power cord
- The use of an extension
- Tripped circuit breaker
- Inadequate voltage supply (less than 240V) at the socket level
- Burnt thermal fuse
- Active Control Lock
- Unlatched dryer door
- Wrong dryer setting
- Defective motor, dryer belt, or main control board
Whirlpool Cabrio Dryer Won’t Start But Has Power
Your Whirlpool Cabrio dryer isn’t starting despite having power because of a loose plugging, tripped breaker, the use of an extension, burnt thermal fuse, or inadequate voltage supply. All these issues will deny the dryer the correct amount of power necessary for running.
Other non-power-related issues that could stop the dryer from starting include an active Control Lock, an unfastened dryer door, a wrong dryer setting, a defective belt, motor, or belt switch, or a shorted main control board.
People Also Ask
1. What to Do When Whirlpool Dryer Won’t Start?
There are several things you can do if a Whirlpool dryer won’t start, and it involves the following:
- Check the power plug and ensure it’s firmly plugged in
- Reset the circuit breaker if it’s tripped
- Replace a burnt thermal fuse
- Disable Child Lock
- Properly latch the dryer door
- Choose the correct dryer setting
- Replace a worn-out belt or motor or a shorted main control board
2. Why Isn’t My Whirlpool Dryer Starting?
Your Whirlpool dryer might not be starting for different reasons. First, it could be that your dryer doesn’t have the power to turn on. However, if the dryer has power but won’t start, it could be due to a wrong setting, a Child Lock, an unlatched door, a worn-out dryer belt, a defective motor, or a shorted main control board.
3. Where Is the Reset Button On a Whirlpool Dryer?
Most Whirlpool dryers have the reset button on the control panel. So, check there first. If you can’t find it, consult your manual. But still, some Whirlpool dryers don’t have the reset button, and in such a case, you may have to reset them using other means, such as unplugging the dryer for 10 minutes.
Concluding Thought:
The reasons a Whirlpool dryer won’t start but has power are shared above. It generally takes one of them to stop your dryer from running. So, you’ve to consider them all. Using the above guide, you can identify the issue preventing your Whirlpool dryer from starting and troubleshoot it, bypassing a dryer expert and saving money.