How do I fix Whirlpool Gas Dryer Igniter Replacement - Signs & How-To?

Follow the step-by-step diagnosis below. The most likely fix is identified by checking power, sensor resistance, and control-board signals in order — using a multimeter and the part numbers documented in the parts reference table.

Can I keep running the equipment with this fault active?

Generally no. Faults on Appliance units are emitted when a sensor, safety, or control circuit is outside its operating envelope. Running through an active fault risks compressor, heater, or control-board damage. Diagnose and clear the fault first.

What part is most commonly replaced for Whirlpool Gas Dryer Igniter Replacement - Signs & How-To?

The most frequently replaced parts for Whirlpool Gas Dryer Igniter Replacement - Signs & How-To are listed in the Parts Reference section of this guide with OEM part numbers and typical price ranges. Check the table for direct replacements.

Is Whirlpool Gas Dryer Igniter Replacement - Signs & How-To a DIY repair or do I need a technician?

Sensor swaps, fan motor replacements, and condenser cleaning are typical DIY-level repairs. Anything involving refrigerant, gas, or high-voltage (>240V) work requires a licensed technician for both safety and code-compliance reasons.

Whirlpool Gas Dryer Igniter Replacement - Signs & How-To

Q: What does Whirlpool Gas Dryer Igniter Replacement - Signs & How-To mean?

A broken or weak igniter won't glow or won't get hot enough to light the burner. Replacing the glow-bar igniter restores heat in most cases.

Whirlpool Gas Dryer Igniter Replacement — What This Part Does

The igniter is a flat glow-bar element mounted at the gas burner assembly. When you start a heat cycle, voltage flows to the igniter and it glows orange-hot. Once it reaches ignition temperature, the gas valve opens and the igniter lights the gas. The entire heat cycle depends on this part.

Igniters fail because the ceramic element cracks from thermal cycling or the internal resistance drifts high over time. A physically broken igniter is open and will not glow at all. A weak igniter may glow faintly but never reach the temperature needed to signal the gas valve, so the burner never lights. In some cases the igniter glows normally but the gas still won’t light. That pattern usually means the gas valve coils are the real problem, not the igniter.

Jump to Replacement Steps

Signs It Needs Replacing

Igniter does not glow during heat cycle You see no glow at the burner when the dryer calls for heat, which means the igniter is open or no power is reaching it.
Igniter glows but burner never lights The glow bar lights up and stays on, but you never hear the gas ignite and the dryer stays cold.
Dryer tumbles but no heat Drum turns normally and timer advances, but clothes stay damp because the burner never fires.
Igniter glows weakly or flickers The element glows dim orange or pulses on and off instead of staying bright, so ignition is unreliable.
Visible crack or break in the igniter element You open the burner housing and see the flat ceramic bar is cracked, chipped, or separated.
Intermittent heat that works after cooling The dryer heats for one cycle, then stops heating, then works again hours later when everything cools down.

How to Replace It

Unplug the dryer from the wall and shut off the gas supply valve at the dryer connection or at the wall.
Pull the lint screen and remove the two screws hidden beneath it, then lift the top panel up and prop it open.
Remove the screws securing the front panel (usually along the top edge under the open top and inside the door opening), disconnect the door-switch harness, and lift the front panel off.
Note the drum belt routing, then slip the belt off the motor pulley and idler, and carefully pull the drum forward and out of the cabinet.
Locate the burner assembly and gas-valve housing at the lower rear or side of the cabinet, and find the flat glow-bar igniter mounted to the burner tube.
Unplug the two-wire connector from the igniter, remove the single mounting screw holding the igniter bracket, and slide the old igniter out of its bracket.
Slide the new igniter into the bracket in exactly the same orientation as the original (do not touch the ceramic element with bare fingers), install the mounting screw, and reconnect the wire harness.
Reinstall the drum and belt, reconnect the front panel and door switch, close the top, and replace all screws and the lint screen.
Turn on the gas supply, plug in the dryer, and run a timed-dry heat cycle to verify the igniter glows bright and the burner lights within 30 to 60 seconds.

The Part You Need

Part	Notes
Whirlpool gas dryer igniter (glow bar)	Amazon \| OEM part 4391996 fits many Whirlpool-family gas dryers. Check your model and serial plate (inside the door opening or on the rear panel) and cross-reference the part number with your appliance-parts supplier to confirm fitment.

If this part is failing you may also see one of these codes:

When to Call a Pro

If the new igniter glows but the burner still will not light, the gas valve coils are the likely cause and that repair involves working on live gas connections. If the igniter does not glow even after replacement, the problem is upstream in the control circuit (thermal fuse, door switch, timer, or wiring), and tracing 120 V AC through the burner circuit requires a meter and schematic. Any gas-appliance repair that involves removing or adjusting the gas valve, burner assembly, or gas piping should be handled by a qualified appliance or HVAC technician to prevent leaks, improper combustion, or carbon-monoxide hazards. For gas line, burner, or igniter work, or if you ever smell gas, stop and call a licensed technician.