How to Replace the Door Sensor on a Whirlpool Electric Dryer

Unplug the Whirlpool electric dryer before replacing the door switch. Move the dryer away from the wall to access the screws on the back panel.

Remove the three hex-head screws along the back edge of the top panel with a nut driver. Lift the panel up, and slide it back to remove it.

Remove the three screws from the metal bracket covering the electronics board on the left side of the dryer. Disconnect the two flat ribbon cables running from the control panel to the electronics board. Press in on the clips that the cables connect to while pulling up on the cables to release them.

Remove the two screws from the console bracket. The two screws are located directly behind the top of the control console. Open the door of the dryer, and pull out on the bottom of the control console until the locking tabs release. Lift the console straight up, and lay it back on top of the dryer.

Push the clip holding the door sensor wires out of the hole in the dryer body to create slack in the wires. Depress the locking tabs on the side of the door switch with a flat-head screwdriver, and push the switch out through the front of the dryer.

Make note of the location of the wires connected to the switch, then disconnect the wires by sliding them off the switch terminals.

Connect the wires to the correct terminals on a replacement switch. Press the new switch into the hole in the front of the dryer. Pull the slack out of the wires and press the wire clip into the hole in the body of the dryer.

Flip the console upright and slide it down until the locking tabs line up with the holes in the dryer chassis. Push the console straight back until it locks into place. Insert and tighten the screws in the console bracket.

Connect the ribbon cables to the electronics board. Press the cables into the connectors until they snap into place. Install the console bracket over the electronics board. Secure it in place using the two hex-head screws.

Place the top panel on the dryer and slide it forward, making sure the flanges on the sides of the panel slide under the brackets on the front of the dryer. Insert and tighten the three hex-head screws in the back edge of the top panel.