Is your Whirlpool Duet dryer not heating up properly? Few things are more frustrating than tossing wet clothes into the dryer, only to find they are still damp when the cycle ends. If your Duet dryer is taking forever to dry, it likely has a heating issue.
The good news is many common Whirlpool Duet heating problems are easy to diagnose and repair yourself. With a little DIY troubleshooting, you can stop hanging soggy clothes outside to air dry and get back to warm, toasty laundry days.
Confirm the No Heat Problem
Before diving into repairs, double check that your Duet dryer is actually experiencing a no heat issue. Here’s what to look for:
- Clothes taking several cycles to fully dry
- Clothes feeling cool or damp at the end of a cycle
- Freshly dried loads not feeling very warm
- The exterior of the dryer not feeling hot while running
To confirm, run a short 15-20 minute high heat cycle with a small load. Place your hand inside the dryer drum about 5 minutes in–you should feel obvious warmth. If it still feels cool, your Duet almost certainly has a heating problem.
Testing Dryer Heat Output
For a more precise test, use an infrared thermometer to measure vent temperature about 10 minutes into a cycle. Aim the laser at the exhaust vent outside your home. On high heat, it should read between 135-150degF. Much cooler than that indicates an issue.
This quick test lets you know if the dryer is producing any heat at all. Once confirmed, it’s time to troubleshoot what’s causing the lack of heat.
Check Power Supply and Wiring
It may sound obvious, but no heat can result from a lack of power getting to your dryer. Before digging into the internal components, check the external power connections and wiring.
Inspect Power Cord and Outlet
Make sure the outlet your dryer is plugged into is working and providing the proper 240V supply. Try plugging in a known working appliance like a hair dryer and turning it on for a minute or two to check for power.
Also inspect the dryer’s power cord for damage. Look for frayed/exposed wires or kinks that could be interrupting power flow. If the cord is damaged, unplug the dryer and replace the cord before using it again.
Check Terminal Block Connections
Inside your Duet dryer’s control panel, find the terminal block. This distributes incoming power from the cord to the internal components. Check that the terminal block connections are good and none are loose or corroded.
Loose terminal block connections can interrupt power to heating components. Tighten any loose wires with pliers and clean any corrosion buildup.
Inspect Wiring Harness
Your Duet has a internal wiring harness that sends power to heating parts like the heating element. Inspect the harness for damage like exposed/melted wires.
If the wiring harness is visibly damaged, it likely needs professional replacement. Burnt or melted spots indicate it’s been overloaded.
Test the Heating Element
The heating element generates the warm air that dries your clothes. Over time, the element coils can burn out and fail to produce heat.
Locating the Heating Element
The heating element is located inside the dryer housing behind the rear panel. It has a circular metal shape with exposed coils wrapped around a ceramic core. Refer to your Duet’s service manual for detailed location info.
Checking Heating Element Continuity
Unplug the dryer and use a multimeter to test the heating element for continuity. Set the multimeter to the Ohms setting. Touch the probe tips to the element terminals. A reading of 10-20 ohms indicates good continuity.
If you get a zero or “OL” reading, that signifies a broken circuit. This means the element has failed and needs replacing.
When to Replace a Faulty Heating Element
A bad heating element is one of the most common causes of a Whirlpool Duet dryer not heating properly. If continuity tests confirm the element is shot, go ahead and replace it.
Heating elements are not too expensive, typically $40-$80. It’s easy to access and swap in a new one. Just be sure to unplug the dryer and let any residual heat dissipate before handling the element.
Examine the Thermal Fuse
Another safety component that can cause heating failure is the thermal fuse. This fuse blows and breaks the heating circuit if the dryer overheats and reaches unsafe temperatures.
Finding the Thermal Fuse
The thermal fuse is a small disk or rectangular device located along the exhaust duct behind the dryer drum. It has two spade terminal connectors.
Refer to your model’s service diagram for the precise thermal fuse location. It’s usually accessible through the front bottom panel.
Checking the Thermal Fuse
Use your multimeter on Ohms setting to check for continuity across the fuse terminals. No continuity means the thermal fuse has blown open and interrupted heating.
A blown thermal fuse needs to be replaced. But a blown fuse could also indicate other problems like restricted airflow. Inspect the exhaust path fully before installing a new fuse.
Replacing the Thermal Fuse
Once any underlying issues are addressed, install a replacement fuse with the same specs as the original. Use care when handling the delicate fuse.
Retest after replacing to ensure the fix was successful and heat returns. If not, continue troubleshooting other heating components.
Diagnose Igniter Problems in Gas Models
If you have a gas-powered Whirlpool Duet, the gas burner is ignited by a hot surface igniter. Ignition issues can prevent the burner from lighting and generating heat.
Inspecting the Igniter
The igniter is located at the gas burner assembly inside your Duet. Access it by removing the lower front panel. Check the ceramic igniter surface for any cracks or damage.
If the igniter surface is severely cracked or worn, it needs to be replaced. The hairline cracks cause improper sparking at the burner.
Testing the Igniter Switch
If the igniter looks fine, use a multimeter to check for power at the igniter switch as the dryer runs. Set your multimeter to Volts setting.
Probe the two switch terminals. You should get a 120V reading if it’s sending power properly. No voltage at the switch points to a faulty switch needing replacement.
Troubleshoot Gas Valve Issues
The gas valve in a Duet dryer controls the gas supply to the burner. Valve problems can prevent proper ignition and heat.
Inspecting Gas Valve Coils
Unplug the dryer and locate the gas valve on the gas supply line. Use the Ohms setting on a multimeter to check both valve coils for continuity.
If either coil reads no continuity, that indicates a bad solenoid coil stopping gas flow. The entire gas valve will need replacing.
Replacing a Faulty Gas Valve
Once diagnosed, install a new OEM spec gas valve kit. Be sure to leak test the connections after replacing. Verify the igniter properly lights the burner before reassembling the dryer.
Restoring smooth gas flow ensures strong, consistent flame heat to dry loads quickly and safely.
Reset Dryer Controls after Repairs
Whirlpool Duet dryers have sensitive electronic controls. After certain repairs, like replacing the thermal fuse, the control board may need to be reset.
Why Reset Electronic Controls
Resetting clears any stored error codes and reboots the control board. This allows the board to sync back up with the replaced part. Some repairs won’t complete successfully until controls are reset.
How to Reset a Whirlpool Duet Control Board
To reset Duet controls, first unplug the dryer for 1 minute. This clears any latent power. After 1 minute, plug it back in and power up the dryer.
Once powered on, hold the “Air Dry” and “Start” buttons simultaneously for 5 seconds. The display should flash, signaling the control reset.
Verifying Heat Returns
After the control reset, run a short test cycle and verify hot air returns to the dryer drum. This confirms your repair was successful and the board properly recognizes the new part.
When to Call a Technician
While many home owners can successfully troubleshoot Whirlpool Duet heating issues DIY-style, sometimes it’s best to call in a pro.
If you’ve tried the above tips with no luck getting heat back, contact an appliance repair technician. Signs you may need professional service include:
- Scorch marks or burnt wiring/contacts
- Continuity through components that fail visually
- Repeated blown thermal fuses
- Problems persisting after part replacements
Appliance pros have specialized tools and expertise to fully diagnose Whirlpool Duet dryers. They can pinpoint complex electrical problems causing no heat, saving you frustration and money.
Professionals also safely handle tricky gas line repairs. And they’ll thoroughly clean lint buildup and vent exhaust issues leading to overheating failures.
We hope these troubleshooting tips help you get your Whirlpool Duet dryer heating properly again. Simple fixes like replacing the thermal fuse or testing the heating element can often get it running hot.
But for stubborn heating problems, rely on a trained appliance repair technician. With their skills and technical know-how, you can stop hanging wet laundry and get back to warm, fresh dryer cycles.
