How to Fix a Whirlpool Washer That Won’t Turn On - SimplySwider.com
DIY Appliance Repair

Is Your Whirlpool Washer Having Issues Powering On? Try These 5 Quick Fixes!

Written by

Jason Carter

Is Your Whirlpool Washer Having Issues Powering On? Try These 5 Quick Fixes!

Suppose:

You have baskets of soiled laundry lined up for washing on laundry day, which by reputation, is not a day you look forward to.

The least you could expect is a properly functioning washer to ease the chore.

Unfortunately:

Like most devices, your Whirlpool washer is vulnerable to system malfunctions that could impair its ability to start up.

You could be left with a ton of unwashed laundry, a washer that won’t turn on, and a nagging headache.

Now:

That is definitely not a very pretty picture, but you’re not helpless. You can troubleshoot your washer easily with a few nifty steps.

Luckily:

We’ve provided you with the help you need in this comprehensive guide.

Whirlpool Washer Is Not Turning On

If your Whirlpool washer isn’t powering on, it could be due to various technical malfunctions. Thankfully, you can get it to turn on by replacing the blown fuse, damaged drive motor, or faulty control board. Before doing this, it would be best to check the power supply or reset your washer to fix the problem.

Whirlpool Washer Won't Turn On

1.  Inspect the Power Outlet, Cord, and Circuit Breaker

Multimeter

Here’s the thing:

If your Whirlpool washer doesn’t turn on at all, you’ll need to check that it is getting enough power.

A power failure in the outlet or a frayed cord could prevent your washer from receiving sufficient power to operate.

First:

Is your Whirlpool washer plugged into the power outlet? You’d be surprised to find that you’ve been making a fuss over something as rudimentary as that.

You see:

Whirlpool washers shake and vibrate during the spin cycle, so you shouldn’t be too shocked to see that the plug has come loose.

Now:

Most Whirlpool washers require a fluctuating minimum of 120V to run efficiently.

So, if your outlet’s voltage level doesn’t measure up to this standard after testing it with a multimeter, it should be replaced.

Also:

Inspect the power cord for visible signs of damage that could compromise your washer’s operation, and test for continuity with a multimeter.

If it tests negative, you know what to do; replace it.

Before doing any of this:

You should check for a tripped circuit breaker and reset it by flipping the switch for five seconds, then switching it back on.

We advise you to call a skilled electrician to assist with the repairs and replacements.

2. Replace the Blown Thermal or Line Fuse

Whirlpool Thermal fuse replacement

Listen:

If you’ve tried powering on your washing machine to no avail, you should check to see if any of the fuses have blown.

Most Whirlpool washers ordinarily have two fuses; one is placed in the power cord, and the other lies strategically in the lid switch.

Get this:

The line fuse is located in the power cord for most washers; it controls the electricity flow, protecting the machine against power surges.

The line fuse is designed to blow when the machine receives too much current at a time.

While:

The thermal fuse in the lid switch is responsible for cutting off power transmission when your washer overheats.

If your Whirlpool washer or dryer exceeds the safe operating temperature range, the thermal fuse shuts off the power immediately.

So:

What this means, in essence, is that your Whirpool washer will not turn on if the fuse is blown and the power is cut off.

Now, how do you replace a blown fuse?

  • Step 1: Unplug your Whirlpool washer to ensure all power is cut off.
  • Step 2: Locate the defective fuse in the lid switch or power cord. (Consult your manual for help)
  • Step 3: Inspect the fuse for discoloration and test for continuity with a multimeter to confirm that it is indeed blown.
  • Step 4: Replace the fuse if it fails the test, and try turning on your washer.

In addition:

When the thermal fuse blows continuously or frequently, it is a sign that the lid switch could be defective.

Certainly, the fuse would blow due to overheating, but the fuse is also designed to blow when the lid switch is malfunctioning.

Why?

It is set up to ensure the washer does not run with a disengaged door lock mechanism.

In this case, you must replace the fuse and the lid switch to troubleshoot this problem effectively.

Finally:

You should assess your Whirlpool washer for electrical issues that could lead to overheating and other problems that trigger your fuse to blow.

To do this:

It would be best to schedule a repair with Whirlpool’s team of professional technicians.

They will help to diagnose and repair your washer accurately so it powers on without a hassle.

3. Replace the Damaged Drive Motor

Whirlpool washer drive motor

Get this:

The drive motor generates the rotational force needed to drive and power your Whirlpool washer.

By implication, if your drive motor is faulty, your washer will have issues starting or will not turn on completely.

Why?

The drive motor harnesses and controls the transmission of electrical energy through all the systems in the washer.

The washer may fail to spin or even start up if the drive motor itself is defective and cannot power it.

Now:

You can detect a faulty motor quite easily by listening for irritating and unusual whirring noises. You might also notice a very distinct burning smell.

So:

If you suspect that your motor is damaged, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Unplug your washer from the power source and detach the fill hoses.
  • Step 2: Lay it on its rear panel.
  • Step 3: Remove the motor connector and drive belt.
  • Step 4: Examine the drive motor for damage and test it for continuity with a multimeter.
  • Step 5: If it tests negative for continuity, replace it with a new motor.
  • Step 6: Put your washer back together and try turning it on.

Note:

If your device is still covered by warranty, you can get a free drive motor replacement or a new washer.

Otherwise:

You’d need to purchase the parts from any online appliance store or, preferably, Whirlpool’s genuine parts website.

4. Replace the Defective Control Board

Whirlpool control board

Unfortunately:

Because the control board is basically the machine’s brain, your washer might not turn on if anything goes wrong with it.

Regardless of the function button you push, your washer may not respond.

Sometimes:

Small scorch prints on the board and an unmistakable smell of melted plastic would reveal clear signs of damage.

Other times, the damage may be more subtle because just a component might be faulty.

In this case:

You need to test it with a multimeter to determine whether the board is receiving electricity.

A signal must go in and out; if it doesn’t, you should replace the control board.

Note:

This Whirlpool washer component is frequently misdiagnosed, so it would help to call a qualified service technician for proper diagnosis and repair.

Alternatively:

You could run a diagnostic mode on your washer if it supports it. For the Whirlpool Duet washer, sequentially push on any three buttons to turn this mode on.

Your washer should reveal an error code which you can look up in your user manual to determine the problem.

5. Reset Your Whirlpool Washer

Alas:

All you might need to do is reboot the system.

You see:

Resetting your Whirlpool washer could circulate the power and return it to its default settings.

Usually, unplugging your washer and plugging it back in after a few minutes does the trick and cycles the power.

Alternatively:

You could also switch it off and back on at the circuit breaker.

However:

Your washer might need a harsher remedy, and you might need to do a hard reset to revert it to its default settings.

A factory reset would most likely clear any error codes and allow your washer to function as it should.

Now:

Depending on your washer model, the procedure for performing a hard reset differs.

You can either do this:

  • Step 1: Unplug your Whirlpool washer. 
  • Step 2: Push on the ‘Power’ and ‘Start’ buttons simultaneously for roughly five seconds.
  • Step 3: Do the same to the ‘Play’ and ‘Pause’ buttons.
  • Step 4: After a minute, plug your washer back in and try to power it on.

Or this:

  • Step 1: Rotate your washer’s dial to highlight the ‘Rinse,’ ‘Wash,’ and ‘Stop’ options.
  • Step 2: Unplug your washer for about three to five minutes.
  • Step 3: Plug it back in and try powering it on; it should be reset to its default settings.

Either way:

Your Whirlpool washer will power on seamlessly after following these instructions.

Models Most Affected

Now:

The malfunctions that cause Whirlpool washers to stop turning on could affect just about any other washing machine.

However:

These specific Whirlpool washer models can be held culpable for starting issues.

1. Whirlpool Duet

Whirlpool Duet

The Whirlpool Duet promises convenience and efficiency, welded by powerful washing technology. With the large-capacity wash drum, you can wash heavy loads riddled with stubborn stains in a single wash.

Despite this:

Users have plenty to say about this Whirlpool model. Many have complained that their Whirlpool washers weren’t turning on for a range of reasons.

2. Whirlpool Cabrio

Whirlpool Cabrio

The Whirlpool Cabrio is an elegant, efficient, large-capacity, modern top-load washer with a touchscreen interface. It features intuitive controls that help users choose the right options for their clothes.

But:

This Whirlpool model often faces problems affecting its user interface control board, causing it not to power on.

3. Whirlpool Atlantis Washer and Dryer Combo

The Whirlpool Atlantis washer and dryer set has a large-capacity wash and dry basket and a stylish ergonomic design.

It features multiple spin speeds and cycle settings and has intuitive controls that make your entire laundry process stress-free.

Now:

This washer and dryer combo has a thermal fuse that could blow randomly, leading to starting issues.

Thankfully, we have compiled essential tips to get past this problem in this article.

Conclusion

Now:

Discovering your Whirlpool washer won’t turn on can be devastating, especially when you have piled-up laundry to attend to.

Issues affecting your washer would usually be technical, but with a little guidance, you can solve them easily.

As such:

If you’ve tried turning on your washing machine without success, try these troubleshooting tips to help.

  • Inspect the power outlet, cord, or circuit breaker.
  • Replace the blown thermal or line fuse.
  • Replace the damaged drive motor.
  • Replace the defective control board.
  • Reset your Whirlpool washer.

After this:

Your Whirlpool washer should power on without any hitches.

However:

If you still have complications with your washer, then contacting Whirlpool Customer Support should be your next step.

Don’t forget:

Let us know how your repairs go! Please share your thoughts and questions in the comment section below.


Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is My Whirlpool Washer Not Powering On?

Your Whirlpool washer might not power on because of a blown fuse, failed power outlet, or tripped circuit breaker. It could also be due to a damaged drive motor or faulty control board.

Why Won’t My Whirlpool Washer Start?

If your Whirlpool washer doesn’t start, there may be a problem with the power supply or transmission.
 
As such, repairing a failed power outlet or resetting the washer could help to solve this problem.

Is There a Reset Button on a Whirlpool Washing Machine?

Whirlpool washing machines do not have a particular reset button; however, you can reset them by following model-specific instructions.
 
Usually, unplugging the washer, waiting a few minutes, and plugging it back in should do the trick.

Why Is My Washing Machine Not Powering On?

From a faulty power outlet to a blown fuse, your washing machine could have issues powering on for many reasons. Malfunctions with the control board or drive motor are also possible causes.

Does My Whirlpool Washer Have a Fuse?

Whirlpool washers are built with a line fuse located in the control panel, and some have a thermal fuse. The washer’s fuse exists to protect it from damage, possibly from power surges or overheating.

How Do I Know If My Washing Machine Fuse Is Blown?

If your washer won’t turn on, it is a huge pointer that the fuse may have blown. You can confirm the damage by accessing the control panel and inspecting the fuse for a black hue.

How Do You Know If Your Washing Machine Motor Is Burnt Out?

You can detect a burnt-out motor by a distinct burning smell, problems with spinning, and even a washer that won’t turn on. You should replace your washing machine’s motor or electrical components immediately after noticing these signs.

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