Whirlpool Dryer Takes Too Long to Dry: Causes and Fixes
Quick Answer
Whirlpool dryer takes too long to dry: check the most common cause first (see step 1 below). Whirlpool uses brand-specific components that differ from other manufacturers.
Honestly, 9 out of 10 times this is a venting problem. Lint builds up in the duct over the years and your dryer's basically trying to push hot air through a clogged straw. But it could also be failing moisture sensor bars, a weak heating element, or gas valve solenoids starting to go. Ignore it long enough and you're looking at a fire hazard, not just slow drying.
Whirlpool dryers taking forever to dry is one of the most common service calls I get. Usually it's the exhaust vent, which homeowners never think about until it takes three cycles to dry a load of towels. Repair costs run from free (cleaning the vent yourself) up to about $200 if you need a new heating element or gas valve solenoids.
Most Likely Causes
Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:
Primary Whirlpool-specific cause35%
Secondary common cause25%
Tertiary cause20%
Less common cause10%
Other10%
Symptoms You May Notice
Clothes come out warm but still damp after a full normal cycle, and you have to run it again (or twice more) to actually finish the job.
The dryer stops short on auto-dry cycles like it thinks the clothes are dry when they clearly aren't.
You walk past the laundry room 20 minutes in and the outside of the dryer barely feels warm at all.
There's a musty smell on clothes after drying because they sat in a warm, damp drum for too long.
The exhaust vent flap outside barely moves air when you check it while the dryer's running.
Can you reset a Whirlpool dryer to clear the TAKING-LONG code?
Unplug the Whirlpool dryer from the wall outlet and leave it unplugged for at least 60 seconds. For models with a digital control board, this clears any stored fault states. Plug it back in, select a timed dry cycle (not auto-dry) on medium heat, and run it empty for 10 minutes to confirm heat is working before you load clothes back in.
Tools Required for Diagnosis
Phillips #2 screwdriverFlat-head screwdriverMultimeter (continuity and resistance modes)Dryer vent cleaning brush kitFlashlight or headlampPutty knife or panel removal toolRubbing alcohol and cotton ballsWork gloves
Service / Diagnostic Mode
Press More Time + Less Time + More Time within 6 seconds.
Diagnostic Checklist
Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.
ComponentComponent Under Test
Expected Range8–12 ohms
ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to fix a Whirlpool dryer that takes too long to dry?
Depends a lot on what's actually wrong. Cleaning the vent yourself costs nothing except your time and maybe a $15 brush kit. A thermal fuse is around $5 in parts if you do it yourself, or $100-150 with a service call. Heating element runs $25-50 in parts, figure $150-200 total with labor. Gas valve solenoid kit is $20-30 in parts. If it's a control board issue you're looking at $200-400 depending on the model. Most of these repairs though, honest answer, are under $200 all-in if you catch them early.
Is it worth repairing a Whirlpool dryer that takes too long to dry?
If it's under 8-9 years old, almost always yes. Whirlpool makes solid dryers and a $150 repair on a 5-year-old machine beats a $700-900 replacement every time. Over 10 years old with a major part failure, start doing the math. The drum motor and control board on older units can run $300+ in parts alone. But honestly, most slow-drying problems are vent or sensor related and cost almost nothing to fix.
Can I fix a Whirlpool dryer that takes too long to dry myself?
Yeah, a lot of these you absolutely can. Cleaning the vent, wiping down the moisture sensor bars, replacing the thermal fuse, swapping the heating element, those are all pretty reasonable DIY jobs if you're comfortable with basic tools. Gas valve solenoids are doable too. Where I'd draw the line is anything involving the actual gas line connections, or if you're not sure what you're testing with the multimeter. 240V on an electric dryer isn't something to be casual about.
How do I know if it's the vent or the heating element causing slow drying?
Here's the quick way to tell. Run the dryer on high heat for 5-10 minutes, then open the door. Does it feel HOT in there? Properly hot? If yes, your heat source is probably fine and it's an airflow problem. If it's just warm or barely warm, you've likely got a heat problem. Also go outside and feel the exhaust while it's running. Strong hot airflow means the vent's clear. Weak or basically nothing means clog. Takes about two minutes to figure out which direction to go.
My Whirlpool dryer just started taking longer to dry but it's only 2 years old. What's going on?
Two year old dryer? Almost definitely not a parts failure. Check three things first. One, when did you last clean the vent duct, not just the lint screen but the actual duct from the back of the dryer to outside? Two, are you using dryer sheets? They coat the moisture sensor bars and lint screen with residue over time. Three, did anything change recently, like a new duct, moving the dryer, or bigger laundry loads? At two years old I'd put money on a maintenance issue, not a parts issue.
What's the Whirlpool dryer diagnostic mode and what does it tell me?
On most Whirlpool dryers you enter diagnostic mode by pressing More Time, then Less Time, then More Time within 6 seconds. The display will show any stored fault codes. Write them down before you clear them, because they tell you exactly which component the board thinks is failing. A code pointing to the thermistor or moisture sensor is a totally different fix than one pointing to the motor or control board. It's the fastest way to cut through the guesswork instead of testing everything one by one.
Models Known to Experience TAKING-LONG Errors
This repair applies to most Whirlpool dryers with this error code. Common model numbers include: