Thermal Fuse Blows in Whirlpool Cabrio Dryer I have a two year old Whirlpool Cabrio Electric Dryer. The thermal fuse has blown several times and I have replaced it, I was reading and someone was mentioning to me that it was probably a bad heating element. Replaced the heating element and thermal fuse and it blew again, the same day. What I have noticed is that the clothes are getting super hot, I am wondering if this might be a bad thermostat.

Possible blown thermal fuse on the blower housing, can be tested for continuity

This is a problem commonly caused by a blown thermal fuse due to a faulty thermistor or cycling thermostat depending on the model of the dryer. The thermal fuse is located on the blower housing and wired in series with the motor. The motor cannot therefore run when the thermal fuse blows open and no dryer functions works.

Unplug the dryer then remove the bottom panel and the lint duct and check continuity of the thermal fuse. You can also bypass the thermal fuse for troubleshooting purposes. Check for blocked lint filter and restricted vent system if the thermal fuse is indeed blown then replace it including the thermistor/cycling thermostat. Click on the link below for detailed troubleshooting of this common problem.

Kenmore Elite and Whirlpool Duet Dryers Not Starting

There is a thermal fuse wired in series with the motor and if it is blown, power to the motor is cut and cannot. No dryer function works when the motor cannot run. The thermal fuse usually blows due to a failed exhaust thermistor. Check for clogged lint filter and/or restricted vent system then replace both the thermal fuse and the thermistor if the thermal fuse is found blown open. This is a DIY repair which only requires very minimal effort with a screwdriver.

Disconnect power then remove the back panel and locate the thermal fuse and the thermal fuse on the blower housing.


Click on the link below for some troubleshooting information before replacing the thermal fuse and the thermistor.

Kenmore and Whirlpool Dryers Not Starting

If your Whirlpool dryer has mysteriously stopped producing heat, a blown thermal fuse may be the cause of your problem. In Whirlpool dryers, thermal fuses are safety switches that are designed to disrupt the flow of electricity to your dryer's heating mechanisms once the dryer reaches a predetermined maximum temperature, usually somewhere around 180 degrees F. Thankfully, troubleshooting the thermal fuse in a Whirlpool dryer is easier than it sounds. Instructions:

Clean out the lint screen in your Whirlpool clothes dryer. Lint buildup can cause your dryer to overheat, triggering the thermal fuse to disrupt power to your dryer's heating mechanisms. Take the lint screen out of your Whirlpool dryer and wash it in warm water. Dry the screen thoroughly before replacing it.

Look behind the dryer to check its flexible exhaust hose for kinks or obstructions. Disconnect the exhaust hose from the back of your dryer and clean out any lint that has built up.

Go outside and check your Whirlpool dryer's exhaust vent for obstructions. Lint buildup, bird nests or other obstructions in the outside exhaust vent can trigger your dryer's thermal fuse.

Disconnect your dryer from its power source before attempting to access its thermal fuse.

Access the thermal fuse in your Whirlpool dryer by removing the back panel. Remove the screws that hold the back panel in place and it should easily come free.

Look between the dryer's blower housing and exhaust to locate its thermal fuse. The thermal fuse in a Whirlpool dryer looks like a white plastic strip that has two wires connected to it.

Bypass the thermal fuse in your Whirlpool dryer while you perform a quick diagnostic test. Use electrical tape to tape together the two wires connected to the thermal fuse. Reassemble your dryer and plug it back in. Set the dryer to a timed heated drying cycle and press "Start." If the dryer produces heat with its thermal fuse bypassed, it means the thermal fuse needs to be replaced.

Replace a blown thermal fuse in your Whirlpool dryer. Disconnect the power and remove the back panel. Remove the electrical tape that you used to perform the diagnostic test and disconnect the wires from the thermal fuse. Remove the screws that secure the thermal fuse to the dryer and discard the blown fuse. Attach the replacement thermal fuse by replacing and tightening the screws. Attach the wires to the new thermal fuse.

This sounds like a problem with the thermal fuse blown which is wired in series with the motor. Power to the motor is terminated when the thermal fuse blows and the motor cannot run. No dryer function works when the motor cannot run. Click on the link below for the detailed instructions in troubleshooting this kind of Whirlpool Duet or Kenmore Elite dryer problem.

Troubleshooting Whirlpool Duet and Kenmore Elite Electric Dryers Not Starting

The thermal fuse is located on the outside of the blower housing. To get access to the thermal fuse you will need to remove the back panel of your Whirlpool dryer.

How do you check it: Before you do any repairs on your dryer, you will need to disconnect the dryer from the wall outlet.


After removing the back panel, remove one wire from the Whirlpool dryer thermal fuse and take a reading between the two terminal on the thermal fuse.
The reading should be 0 ohms, if the reading is infinity, the thermal fuse is bad and it must be replace. When you find a bad thermal fuse, you will need to replace the operating thermostat too.

The operating thermostat opens at 155 degrees and the thermal fuse blows at 196.

These means that operating thermostat did not open at 155 and that is why the thermal fuse failed.

you need to clean out the dryer.the thermal fuse is a safety switch so you don't have a fire when the dryer is running to hot.blow out the vent line with a leaf blower,unplug the dryer and make sure the outside vent is clear.next you need to clean out the duct that the lint filter slides into and vac out the inside of dryer where the motor is,do this once a year,your clothes will dry on time,no fires and you'll save on parts.let me know how you make out

If it's an electric dryer, then unplug the machine and check for a blown thermal fuse or a faulty heating element. The thermal fuse is about an inch long and is located inside the rear of the dryer, usually attached to or near the exhaust duct. The thermal fuse and heating element can be tested for continuity using a multimeter or ohmmeter. A lack of continuity will indicate a bad component. Sorry for your trouble and I hope this helped. Best wishes.

Just replace the thermal fuse for now. You have gotten good use from this machine. But, this is also may be the beginning of the end. Thermal fuses are not expensive either. These things just go out at no uncertain times.

Hi theres 2 things that can cause this #1 a dirty vent to the outside. #2 a dirty lint filer , Take the lint filter out & run hot water through it. If water wont flow through the screen, Its gummed up by Bounce sheet residue, Clean the filter . It should be ok