Whirlpool Dryer Burner Igniter (279311)

The Whirlpool Dryer Burner Igniter is the component responsible for lighting the gas burner that heats the air inside your dryer. When the dryer calls for heat, the igniter glows hot enough to ignite the gas flowing through the burner assembly, allowing the dryer to reach and maintain the temperature needed to dry your clothes.

The Whirlpool Dryer Burner Igniter can fail over time due to normal wear, repeated heat cycling, or a crack in the igniter element itself. Because the igniter is made from a fragile ceramic material, it is also susceptible to breaking from physical shock or vibration, and a failed igniter will prevent the burner from lighting entirely.

These symptoms can help you decide if the igniter is the source of your dryer problem:

- Dryer runs but produces no heat

- Clothes take much longer than usual to dry

- Dryer starts a heat cycle but shuts off before reaching temperature

- You can hear the gas valve click open but the burner never lights

- Igniter glows briefly but flame does not ignite

- Dryer repeatedly resets or cycles without generating warmth