Repairing Guides

how to repair a dryer that is not heating

by Berenice Rippin Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How to Fix It

  • Check Your Washing Machine Settings. The first possible cause of your dryer not working properly is actually caused by your washing machine, not your dryer.
  • Overloading Your Dryer. ...
  • Dryer Settings. ...
  • Dryer Vent and Lint Trap. ...
  • Heating Element. ...
  • Thermostats. ...

Part of a video titled Dryer Not Heating and The Most Common Fix - YouTube
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So to check your thermal fuse. It's best to pull both wires off but really you only have to pull oneMoreSo to check your thermal fuse. It's best to pull both wires off but really you only have to pull one off I'd like to pull them both off just to be extra sure pull both wires. Off.

Full Answer

What to check when your dryer will not heat?

Why a Dryer Has Stopped Heating

  • Thermal Fuse. If your dryer is tumbling but no longer producing heat, your first suspect should be the thermal fuse.
  • Exhaust Vent. If your thermal fuse was responsible for the issue, your first course of action after replacing it should be to check your dryer vent.
  • Thermostat and Temperature Switch. ...
  • Heating Coils. ...

Why does my dryer run but doesnt heat?

  • Power cord
  • Heating element
  • High-limit thermostat
  • Operating thermostat
  • Thermal cut-off fuse
  • Timer

How to fix a dryer that won't heat?

5 DIY Troubleshooting Tips for Dryer Problems

  1. Blocked venting. This is the most common cause of a dryer not heating. To check if your venting is clogged, start a timed dry on high heat.
  2. Improper or no electric or gas supply. Is there a proper electrical or gas supply to the dryer? ...
  3. Clogged lint screen. If your lint screen is plugged up or dirty, it will reduce airflow and prevent clothes from drying. ...
  4. Uneven loads. What type of load are you drying? If you mixed large and small items, that might be the problem. ...
  5. Washer leaving clothes too wet. The dryer might not even be to blame — the issue could be with the washer. ...

Why is my Whirlpool electric dryer not heating?

Whirlpool Gas Dryer Not Heating

  • Ignitor is Burnt. Electrical current flows through the ignitor on a gas dryer. ...
  • Defective flame sensor. Your gas dryer is also equipped with a flame sensor that ensures the flame burns inside the flame chamber.
  • Malfunctioning gas valve. If your Whirlpool dryer doesn’t heat or only heats intermittently, the coils may be defective. ...
  • Blown thermal fuse. ...

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Why is my dryer not heating?

Reasons Why Your Dryer Is Not Getting Hot. Dryer vent is clogged. Improper or no electric or gas supply to the dryer. Clogged lint screen. Uneven loads. Washer leaving clothes too wet. 1. Dryer vent is clogged. This is the most common cause of a dryer not heating.

What happens if your dryer vent is too low?

If there’s little airflow, your venting likely needs to be cleaned or replaced. If the temperature’s too low, there may be an operational issue with the dryer, which should be checked by an authorized service technician. 2. Improper or no electric or gas supply to the dryer.

How to clean a lint screen?

If your lint screen is plugged up or dirty, it will reduce airflow and prevent clothes from drying. Remove as much excess lint as you can and soak the lint screen in hot water and dish soap. If needed, use a soft toothbrush to scrub the screen clean.

What type of load are you drying?

What type of load are you drying? If you mixed large and small items, that might be the problem. Washing and drying similar items together is imperative to proper performance. This is especially true on an auto dry cycle. Putting things like towels and sheets together can cause the dryer to heat at a lower level and sometimes even shut off, thinking the items are dry. The smaller or lighter clothes will be dry, but the larger, heavier items will still be damp.

Does a dryer run on gas?

If only one of the lines is working, the dryer will run but not heat up. With gas, the appliance won’t heat if your gas is off. Both issues should be checked by a professional.

Do dryers dry clothes?

They’re supposed to actually dry your clothes. So when you’ve got wet clothes after running a load in the dryer, your appliance isn’t doing its job. Before you panic, though, not all dryer problems require a visit from a technician.

What to do if dryer is not drying?

If you’ve reached the end of your troubleshooting capabilities and your dryer is still not drying, you’ll likely need diagnostic and repair help from experts . There are three potential paths:

Why is my dryer not heating?

Common reasons for an electric or gas dryer not heating are a tripped circuit breaker, clogged vent, and no gas flow. Other potential reasons include a faulty thermal fuse and broken heating element. If you gather your tools and follow this guide, you may be able to solve basic dryer heating problems on your own.

How to fix a dryer lint trap?

When the heating element is blocked, it overheats and shuts down the thermostat. To fix this, clean off the lint screen, and use a vacuum to clean out the lint trap. Then remove the vent hose from the back of the dryer and shake it out.

Why is my dryer drum turning?

One tripped breaker would explain why the drum is turning while the dryer is stone cold. If any breakers are tripped in your electrical panel, reset them. There is no gas flow. If you have a gas dryer, make sure you paid your gas bill on time and that the gas valve feeding the dryer is on.

What is the setting on a dryer?

The dryer is on an “eco” or cool setting.

Why is my dryer not heating?

Another reason why your dryer may not be properly heating is if the dryer vents are blocked or the lint trap is dirty. When the vents are restricted or the lint trap is full, the dryer can’t circulate air—which means your clothes won’t dry properly. A blocked dryer vent and a full lint trap can also cause the heater circuit to malfunction ...

How to check if your dryer is working?

If your dryer is on the correct setting and your dryer vent and lint trap seem to be in good shape, the next step is to check your power supply. Start by making sure your dryer is plugged in the right way and that nothing has jolted the plug loose.

How to check thermal fuse?

To check the thermal fuse, you will need the same tools as listed above: First, unplug the dryer and remove the exhaust hose. Remove the back panel using the quarter-inch nut driver. Take off the two wire two terminals and the screw holding the thermal fuse in place.

How to check if heating element is working?

To check if your heating element is working, you will need the following tools: First, unplug the dryer and remove the exhaust hose. Remove the back panel using the quarter-inch nut driver and locate the long metal housing where the heating element is inside.

What causes a thermal fuse to blow?

When the dryer overheats, it can potentially cause the thermal fuse to blow. If this occurs, the dryer will either not put out any heat or will not run altogether and the part will need to be replaced. To check the thermal fuse, you will need the same tools as listed above: Quarter-inch nut driver. Multimeter.

Do you need a breaker for an electric dryer?

An electric dryer requires double breaker power —one is required for the motor to tumble and two are needed to be on so the dryer heats. Finally, check to make sure no fuses have been blown. If you notice anything awry with any electrical components, it’s best to call an electrician immediately.

What to do if your dryer is not working?

In some cases, the appliance is not the problem — the outlet is to blame. If you can reset the outlet or breaker, do it and plug the clothing dryer in again. If the problem is not solved, call an electrician to make sure all circuits are intact.

Why is my electric dryer not heating?

Most heating problems in electric dryers have to do with heating element malfunctions. To inspect yours , carefully unplug the device and unscrew and remove the back cover of the dryer. You will have a clear view of all components of the appliance.

How to fix a dryer filter?

Here’s how to fix the dryer filter problem: Unplug the appliance. Remove the cover panel and use a pin or a pair of tweezers to get rid of any dust in the filter in the back of the dryer.

Why doesn't my gas dryer heat?

If a gas dryer doesn’t heat, igniter malfunctions might be preventing a steady stream of heat. You will need to carefully remove the igniter from the device and start testing its resistance.

Why does my dryer stop heating up?

It’s common for dryers to stop heating up when they have been running for a long while — it happens because an automated shut-off is triggered. Turning the device off and letting it cool down is one of the most common and helpful ways to get a steady stream of hot air back.

How to contact a dryer repair?

To hire our professional technical team for a dryer or other appliance repair, leave us a message or call 1-888-242-0777. We’ll get in touch with you right away and find out why your dryer doesn’t heat up.

What is the main control board on a dryer?

Main control board. This is one of the most important components of a dryer as it controls all cycles and circuits inside the appliance. Charring inside the control board or short-circuiting can both hinder the steady heating of the appliance.

What to do before turning on dryer?

Before turning your dryer on to a cycle, make sure that the dryer isn’t overly filled with wet clothes to ensure that your clothes will dry properly.

Why is my dryer not working?

The first possible cause of your dryer not working properly is actually caused by your washing machine, not your dryer. To make sure your clothes don’t go into your dryer too wet, you need to ensure that you use the correct washing cycle. As a good rule of thumb, you should be putting your clothes into your dryer “damp” but not soaking wet.

What is the thermostat on a dryer?

The next component to check in your dryer is the thermostats. Most dryers have multiple thermostats that help keep track of the temperature in your dryer, which they then communicate to the control board to help your dryer operate correctly. The two most common thermostats are a high-limit thermostat and a cycling thermostat.

Why won't my clothes dry?

If you notice that your clothes take much longer to dry than they should, you might have a clogged dryer vent or lint trap. When the vent or lint trap gets clogged, hot air cannot circulate correctly around your dryer, and your clothes won’t dry .

What is the first component to check for a dryer?

The first component to check is the heating element . The heating element is how your dryer creates heat, and when it becomes faulty, your dryer might still heat up but not to the required temperature.

How to test continuity of heating element?

Once you have located the heating element, use a multimeter to test it for continuity.

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