Counted from our technicians' notes on 119 Whirlpool dryer service calls.
Thumps, squeals and grinding
Noise is one of the biggest reasons people call about a Whirlpool dryer. Worn drum support rollers develop flat spots, and the drum thumps or rumbles in rhythm as it rolls over them. A high squeal is most likely the idler pulley, the part that keeps tension on the belt. Worn drum glides can scrape or thump too, and a rattle that tracks with the motor may be a damaged blower wheel. Since several of these sound alike, get it diagnosed before you order parts.
It runs, but there's no heat
On electric models it's normally a blown thermal fuse, a burned-out heating element or a failed thermostat. Gas models split two ways. When the igniter glows and the burner never lights, the gas valve coils are a common culprit. When the igniter never glows at all, suspect the igniter or the thermal fuse. A blown thermal fuse is a warning, not just a dead part. It frequently means the vent is restricted and the dryer has been overheating.
Motor hums, drum sits still
A broken drive belt is the likeliest cause when the motor runs and the drum doesn't move. A worn idler or a failing motor can do the same thing.
What the letters on the display mean
Codes vary by model, and plenty of older dryers have no display at all. These are the ones Whirlpool lists for its electronic dryers.
| Code | What it usually means |
|---|
| AF or F4 E3 | Restricted airflow. Look for a vent run that's too long, kinked, crushed or packed with lint, or a lint screen that needs cleaning |
| L2 | The heater isn't getting enough line voltage, or any at all. It mostly turns up on a fresh install, so check the breakers and the power cord |
| PF | The power went out mid-cycle |
| F# E# (alternating) | Service needed. The control board has flagged a fault |
Quick checks you can do yourself
- Clean the lint screen and confirm you're on a heated cycle, not air fluff.
- Look behind the dryer for a vent that's crushed or kinked.
- Once the dryer has been on for 5 to 10 minutes, go outside and hold a hand at the hood. You should feel at least the push of a hair dryer on its high setting, and anything weaker means the vent needs cleaning.
- On an electric dryer, check for a tripped breaker or blown fuse.
Don't forget the hood once it snows
In Minnesota and Wisconsin, the outside vent hood disappears from view once the snow piles up. Keep it clear of lint and debris. When loads start needing two cycles, or the Check Vent light comes on, get the whole vent run cleaned before the thermal fuse gives out.
Open the door and check the edge around the opening for the model and serial tag.