Whirlpool Gas Dryer Igniter Replacement — Glow Bar Testing, Gas Valve Sequence & Flame Failure

The igniter in a Whirlpool gas dryer is a silicon carbide or silicon nitride glow bar that heats up to 2500+ degrees F to ignite the gas flowing from the burner tube. It is the most commonly replaced part in gas dryers because it degrades gradually — getting weaker with each ignition cycle until it can no longer reach the temperature needed to open the gas valve coils.

This guide applies only to gas dryers (WGD model prefix). Electric Whirlpool dryers do not have an igniter — they use a heating element instead.

How the Gas Ignition Sequence Works

Understanding this sequence is essential for diagnosing igniter problems:

1. The control board sends power to the igniter
2. The igniter glows (you can see it glow orange through the viewing window at the bottom front of the dryer)
3. As the igniter reaches operating temperature, its resistance drops
4. The reduced resistance allows enough current to flow through the circuit to energize the gas valve coils
5. The gas valve opens and gas flows to the burner
6. The glowing igniter ignites the gas
7. The flame sensor detects the flame and the igniter de-energizes (it only needs to start the flame, not maintain it)

Critical detail: The gas valve coils are wired in series with the igniter. The coils only open when the igniter draws enough current — which only happens when the igniter is hot enough. A weak igniter glows but never draws enough current to open the gas valve. This is why the most common failure mode is "igniter glows but gas never lights."

Symptoms of Igniter Failure

• Igniter glows but gas never ignites — the igniter reaches a visible glow but not hot enough to draw sufficient current for the gas valve coils. This is the classic gradual igniter failure.
• Intermittent heating — the dryer heats for the first cycle of the day (when the igniter is cold and draws slightly more current initially) but fails on subsequent cycles as the components heat up and resistance changes
• No glow at all — the igniter has completely failed (open circuit). No ignition attempt occurs.
• Dryer runs but produces no heat (gas model) — always check the igniter before the gas valve, thermostat, or board

Testing the Igniter

Tools needed: Multimeter, 1/4-inch nut driver

1. Unplug the dryer and turn off the gas supply valve
2. Remove the lower front panel (2 screws)
3. The igniter is mounted on the burner tube assembly at the bottom of the dryer
4. Disconnect the igniter wire connector
5. Measure resistance across the igniter terminals:
   • 50-400 ohms — igniter is intact (but may still be weak)
   • Open circuit (infinite) — igniter is broken. Replace.
6. Visual test (more definitive): Reconnect the igniter, turn gas off but plug in the dryer, start a cycle. Watch the igniter through the front access opening. A strong igniter glows bright orange-white within 60 seconds. A weak igniter glows dim orange and takes longer — it may not draw enough current to open the gas valve even though it glows visibly.

Part Numbers and Cost

Common repair pattern: If the igniter has failed from age, the gas valve coils are likely also weakened. Many technicians replace both the igniter and the coil set together ($25-65 total parts) to prevent a callback. The coils degrade on a similar timeline.

Replacement Steps

Tools needed: 1/4-inch nut driver, 5/16-inch nut driver

1. Unplug the dryer and turn off the gas supply
2. Remove the lower front access panel (2 screws)
3. The igniter is mounted on a bracket next to the burner tube with 1-2 screws
4. Disconnect the wire connector from the igniter
5. Remove the mounting screw(s) and carefully slide the igniter out of the bracket — the glow bar is extremely fragile. Do not touch the bar itself or bump it against anything
6. Slide the new igniter into the bracket and secure the mounting screw(s)
7. Reconnect the wire connector
8. Reinstall the access panel
9. Turn on the gas supply, plug in the dryer, and run a test cycle
10. Watch through the front access opening — the igniter should glow, gas should ignite within 60-90 seconds, and you should see a steady blue flame with orange tips

Handling the Igniter

The silicon carbide glow bar is extremely fragile — it cracks easily if bumped or flexed. Handle only by the ceramic body or metal bracket, never by the bar itself. Even skin oils can create hot spots that shorten the new igniter's life. Many igniters ship in protective foam packaging — do not remove the foam until the igniter is in position and you are ready to mount it.

Common Mistakes

• Replacing the gas valve when the igniter is weak — the gas valve is a $70-150 part. The igniter is a $15-40 part. Test the igniter first — it is the cause in 80% of gas dryer no-heat situations
• Bumping the igniter glow bar during installation — a cracked bar fails immediately or after a few cycles
• Not replacing the gas valve coils — if the igniter degraded from age, the coils likely have too. Spending an extra $10-25 on coils prevents a separate repair visit later
• Forgetting to turn off the gas — always close the gas supply valve before working on the igniter. Gas leaking during disassembly is a serious hazard

Lifespan

Igniters in Whirlpool gas dryers last 3-7 years — shorter than most dryer components because the thermal stress of heating to 2500+ degrees F and cooling down with every cycle gradually weakens the silicon carbide material. Gas valve coils last slightly longer (5-10 years) but degrade on a similar trajectory.

FAQ

My gas dryer igniter glows but the gas does not light — is it the igniter or the gas valve?

Usually the igniter. A weak igniter glows visibly but does not draw enough current to open the gas valve coils. Replace the igniter first ($15-40). If the new igniter also fails to light the gas, then the gas valve coils are the next suspect ($10-25).

Can I smell gas if the igniter fails?

You should not. The gas valve coils are wired in series with the igniter — if the igniter is not drawing current, the coils cannot energize and the valve stays closed. Gas should never flow without ignition. If you smell gas with a non-functioning igniter, the gas valve has a separate failure (stuck open) and you should turn off the gas supply immediately and call a professional.

How long does it take to replace a gas dryer igniter?

DIY: 15-20 minutes. Professional: 10-15 minutes. This is one of the fastest dryer repairs.

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Gas dryer not heating? The igniter is the most likely cause. Our technicians carry igniters and gas valve coils for same-visit repair. Book a technician →