Whirlpool dryers come in varieties. The Whirlpool Cabrio dryer stands out for its advanced features, like the ‘Steam Refresh’ cycle that prevents odors and wrinkles and the AccuDry sensor that monitors temperature and moisture levels so your clothes don’t over-dry. So, what could possibly make the high-tech Whirlpool Cabrio dryer not heat?
These are the top 4 reasons your Whirlpool Cabrio dryer is not heating:
- The circuit breaker is tripped.
- Power supply cord issues.
- The gas shut-off valve is closed.
- Dryer vent blockage issues.
Read on for details on how to troubleshoot and fix these problems without hiring a technician. Let’s get your Whirlpool Cabrio dryer heating again!
The Circuit Breaker Is Tripped
A Whirlpool Cabrio dryer needs a dedicated 30-Amp circuit fused on both ends of the line. Specifically, you need two circuit breaker switches to operate your dryer:
- One to run the motor or turn the dryer drum.
- Another to run the heating element.
If any of the two circuits are tripped, the Whirlpool Cabrio dryer will not heat. You’ll need to check the circuit first and ensure it is not tripped (and, therefore, open).
How To Fix a Tripped Dryer Circuit
Open the circuit breaker housing door and check if any of the switches dedicated to the dryer is tripped. You’ll notice that the switch is not in line with the other switches if it is tripped.
Flip the switch back on to align it with other closed switches. Your Whirlpool Cabrio dryer should now receive the required amount of current and start heating again.
Power Supply Cord Issues
If you are just starting to use a new Whirlpool Cabrio electric dryer, a non-heating dryer could be caused by one of these two power supply/cord issues:
- A low-power power supply wall outlet.
- Incorrect power cord installation.
Either way, you must fix the issue before your new Whirlpool Cabrio dryer can heat and do its job.
How To Fix Dryer Power Supply Cord Issues
Depending on the power cord issue affecting your Whirlpool Cabrio dryer, you need to:
- Check with a qualified electrician that you have a 240V power supply plug. The Whirlpool Cabrio electric dryer needs a 240V power supply outlet and will not operate correctly if the plug has a lower voltage.
- Ensure the dryer power cord is correctly connected to the dryer and that you have an appropriate wall plug. Whirlpool Cabrio dryers can have a 4-wire or a 3-wire power cord.
Watch this video on how to connect a 3-wire power cord to the dryer:
Watch this video on how to connect a 4-wire power cord to the dryer:
Note that the wall plug should also match the power cord (i.e., a 3-wire power cord should go into a 3-slot wall plug and vice versa. If you do not have the required type of plug, call a qualified electrician to install one.
The Gas Shut-Off Valve Is Closed
If your Whirlpool Cabrio dryer is gas-powered and won’t heat, the gas shut-off valve may be closed. Gas-powered dryers use an electric ignition for the heating element and drum motor and gas to heat the air that dries your clothes. You’ll need to ensure gas is incoming to your dryer if it is not heating.
How To Resolve a Dryer Gas Issue
You can tell that your Whirlpool Cabrio gas dryer has gas issues if the drying drum is running, but the dryer is not heating.
Locate the gas shut-off valve and check if it is standing at a 90° angle to the gas line. If that’s the case, the gas line is closed. Make a quarter turn with the gas shut-off valve handle to align with the gas pipe. That will open the gas line, and your dryer should start heating.
Dryer Vent Blockage Issues
Your Whirlpool dryer requires good air flow to dry your washing. If the airflow is compromised by lint and debris accumulation or by a crushed or kinked vent pipe, your dryer’s performance will be compromised too. The dryer may not heat up as required due to accumulated moisture, or the vent blockage may cause the thermal fuse to trip or blow and the dryer to stop heating.
A dirty dryer vent needs cleaning, and a crushed or kinked vent should be corrected.
How To Fix Dryer Vent Blockage Issues
Perform one of the procedures below depending on the issue affecting your Whirlpool Cabrio dryer vent.
To clean a dirty vent:
- Turn off the power and disconnect the dryer power supply cable. If you have a gas model, close the gas shut-off valve as well, then disconnect and place a cap on the supply pipe.
- Pull the dryer from the wall to make space to work.
- Locate the exhaust vent and remove the clamps securing the dryer ventilation hose and the exhaust vent connection.
- Use a dryer cleaning brush to remove lint and debris from the vent pipe, then use a vacuum with a hose to remove any residue lint inside the vent. Do this from both the interior and the exterior sides of the vent.
- Reconnect the dryer pipe to the exhaust vent and push the unit back to its place.
- Reconnect the gas line and open the shut-off valve. Plug the dryer and turn on the power supply.
- Run an empty cycle for 15 minutes to remove any remaining debris in the exhaust vent and test if the dryer heats as it should.
To check and correct a crushed or kinked vent:
- Turn off the dryer.
- Look over the space between the dryer and the wall to see if the vent is kinked or crushed. If it is, proceed to remove and replace the bad vent.
- Move the dryer away from the wall and remove the old vent pipe.
- Use a 4-diameter flexible or rigid heavy metal vent to replace the old one. Plastic vents should not be used. Check your dryer vent tag that’s attached to the appliance to ensure you use the recommended vent length from the machine to the wall.
Any 90° angle joints on the vent pipe should be accounted for by reducing the vent length. Here are Whirlpool dryer manufacturer instructions for accounting for bends on a dryer vent:
| Number of 90° Angle Joints | Vent Length |
| 0 | 20 meters (64 feet) |
| 1 | 16.5 meters (54 feet) |
| 2 | 13.4 meters (44 feet) |
| 3 | 10.7 meters (35 feet) |
| 4 | 8.2 meters (27 feet) |
Note: A blocked vent can be caused by consistent use of the dryer with a dirty lint screen. Whirlpool Cabrio dryer recommends that you clean the dryer lint screen by rolling off lint from the screen with your fingers after every load.
The lint screen should also be cleaned with a nylon brush, water, and detergent every six months or when the dryer indicator light blinks with a “Check Lint Screen” or “Check Lint” message on the control panel.
Read the complete instructions on how to clean a Whirlpool dryer lint screen or watch a demonstration in this video:
Other Reasons a Whirlpool Cabrio Dryer Won’t Heat
If your Whirlpool Cabrio dryer still doesn’t heat after troubleshooting for the above problems, the appliance may have a more complex mechanical issue with one of the components.
Here’s a list of complex problems that may cause a Whirlpool Cabrio dryer not to heat:
- A burned heating element.
- A malfunctioning timer.
- A blown/tripped thermal fuse.
- A faulty flame sensor (gas dryer).
- The defective gas valve solenoid (gas dryer).
- A burned-out igniter (gas dryer).
- A defective high-limit thermostat
- A bad main control board.
The Whirlpool Cabrio dryer manufacturer recommends that you contact a service provider near you for complex dryer issues. You can use the Whirlpool Schedule Service page or contact them by calling 1-866-698-2538.
Chris is a Texas-based freelance writer who loves the outdoors and working in his garage. When he’s not enjoying the Texas sun, he can be found tinkering with all sorts of things in his workshop.