Whirlpool's own article for an electric dryer that does not heat gives a test first: run a heated timed cycle for 5 minutes with the dryer empty, open the door and feel inside. If it is not warm, the article points at three things in order: the cycle was Air Only or Air/Fluff, which never adds heat; a household breaker is tripped, because an electric dryer uses two on a 30 amp circuit and one runs the heating element; or the supply is not 240 volts or the cord is wrongly installed. Check those before any part.
Differential
Likely causes of “Whirlpool dryer runs but does not heat”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Air Only or Air/Fluff was selected
What separates it The drum tumbles and the air stays cool for the whole cycle
How to confirm Choose a heated cycle such as Normal or Timed Dry and run it
- 2
One of the two breakers is tripped
What separates it The motor runs and the drum turns but there is no heat
How to confirm Reset both breakers; the second one runs the heating element
- 3
The supply is not 240 volts or the cord is wrongly installed
What separates it The dryer does not heat from the first day or after a move
How to confirm Have an electrician check the 240 volt supply and the cord hookup
- 4
The dryer heats but a restricted vent makes it seem not to
What separates it Clothes are warm but damp and drying takes several cycles
How to confirm Clean the lint screen and vent, and test the vent
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which cycle and temperature you chose and whether Air Only was on
- Whether the empty five-minute heat test felt warm inside
- Whether both breakers are on and the lint screen and vent are clean
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedRun the empty heat test
ReversibleSelect a heated timed cycle, run it for 5 minutes with the dryer empty, then open the door and feel inside. Whirlpool says if it is heating, follow the Drying Performance troubleshooting instead.
Check the cycle
ReversibleThe Air Only cycle or Air/Fluff Only does not add heat at any time. It is for items where no heat is wanted and works better as a Timed Dry cycle.
Check both breakers
ReversibleElectric dryers need a separate 30 amp circuit fused on both sides of the line, so two breakers. One turns the drum and the other runs the heating element; if either is tripped the dryer may not heat.
Check the supply and cord
ReversibleThe dryer needs 240 volts. Check the power cord installation against the instructions and the 3-wire and 4-wire videos, and have tight terminal screws confirmed with the dryer unplugged.
Clean the lint screen and vent
ReversibleIf the dryer is heating but drying is long, the likely cause is the vent or restricted airflow. The vent to the outside should be cleaned every one to two years or when performance drops.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- The five-minute test
- Whirlpool's heat test is simple and answers the first question in minutes: select a heated timed cycle, run it for 5 minutes with the dryer empty, open the door and feel inside. A warm drum sends you to Drying Performance, and a cold drum sends you to the checks for the cycle, the breakers and the supply.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models WED8620, WED6605, WED5605, WED5050, WGD9620, WGD5050, WHD560CHW.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the empty test is cool with both breakers on, an Air Only cycle ruled out and the supply confirmed, contact Whirlpool service
- !If a breaker trips when the dryer runs, stop and call an electrician
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Whirlpool's own help articles for its dryers, each; the article for this page is named in the page's notes.
Whirlpool's own product-assistance articles for dryers, including the Dryer Vent Testing Kit (part W11224254).
Whirlpool's own page for this model, listing its manuals and guides and the accessories sold for it.
Whirlpool's quick start guide for its dryers: Start/Pause held for 1 second, sensor and timed cycles, Wrinkle Shield, Static Reduce and Mute Cycle Signal.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I test whether the dryer heats?+
Run a heated timed cycle for 5 minutes with the dryer empty, then open the door and feel inside.
Why does the drum turn but stay cold?+
One of the two breakers may be tripped, since one circuit runs the motor and the other runs the heating element.
How much power does it need?+
240 volts on a separate 30 amp circuit fused on both sides of the line, per Whirlpool.
Could it be the vent?+
If the dryer heats but drying is slow, yes. A restricted vent is the most likely cause of long drying times.
Is a gas check relevant?+
Not on the WED9620, which is electric; Whirlpool's article has a separate gas section about the supply valve for gas models.
Can I buy a vent test kit?+
Whirlpool sells one, part W11224254, from its site.
Should I check terminal screws myself?+
Whirlpool says to unplug the dryer before checking them; an electrician is the safer choice.