There are few things as annoying as discovering that your clothes have been wet after the dryer has been running for a long time. Yes, but the gas dryer not heating up. A tripped circuit breaker, a clogged vent, and no gas flow are all common reasons for an electric or gas dryer to not heat up. Other possible causes are a faulty thermal fuse and a broken heating element. If you get your tools together and follow this guide, you might be able to fix some of the problems with your dryer on your own. You can also call your local Mr. Appliance® professionals for help if you can’t get your dryer to work or you just don’t have the time to do it yourself.
The Most Common Answers to “Why Isn’t My Dryer Heating?”
- The dryer is turned off.
- The dryer’s door isn’t all the way shut.
- The mode of the dryer is set to “eco” or “cool.”
- A circuit breaker has tripped.
- Electric dryers require two 120v breakers: one to power the drum-turning motor and the other to power the heating element. Depending on how the panel is connected, the breakers may trip independently. The drum is turning when the dryer is ice cold, which could be explained by a tripped breaker. If any breakers in your electrical panel have tripped, reset them.
- There is no flow of gas.
- If you have a gas dryer, ensure sure your gas payment is current and the gas valve supplying the dryer is turned on. Make sure the appliance’s gas line is the correct size (is it 3/4 inch?) and, if necessary, replace it.
The heating element is being suffocated by the dryer vent, lint trap, and/or lint screen. When the heating element becomes clogged, the thermostat overheats and shuts down. Clean the lint screen and vacuum out the lint trap to solve the problem. Then, from the back of the dryer, remove the vent pipe and shake it off. The amount of junk that accumulates in dryer vent hoses may surprise you. Finally, consider whether expert dryer vent cleaning is necessary to avoid fires. Perhaps the issue isn’t with your dryer at all. Examine the efficiency of your washing machine. Is the spin cycle sufficiently wringing out the water from your clothes? In any dryer, the soaking wet fabric will take a long time to dry.
The More Complicated Answers to “Why Isn’t My Dryer Heating?”
If none of the explanations listed above explain why your dryer isn’t working, it could be due to one of the following problems:
- A thermal fuse that has blown
- A heating element that has failed
- A faulty thermostat
- A faulty timer motor
- A difficult electrical or gas problem
For these issues, we recommend visiting a professional.
If your dryer is exhibiting other symptoms in addition to unregulated temperature, use our dryer troubleshooting tool to determine which component is likely to be failing. Some homeowners may attempt to test and replace these parts themselves, but professional dryer repair is recommended to accurately identify the problem and eliminate any safety risks.
Dryer, not heating is a common problem with common solutions.
01 – Thermal Fuse
The thermal fuse is a safety feature that prevents the dryer from becoming too hot. The fuse is positioned on the blower housing or at the heat source of the dryer, which is usually the heating element on electric dryers or the burner on gas dryers. When the fuse is good, it should be closed for continuity, which means it should have a continuous electrical channel through it. The fuse will have no continuity if it has been overheated, indicating that the electrical path has been disrupted and the fuse has blown. It may be checked for continuity with a multimeter. Keep in mind that a blown thermal fuse indicates a clogged exhaust vent from the dryer to the outdoors. When replacing a blown thermal fuse, make sure to check the dryer venting.
02 – Solenoid for a gas valve
Two or more gas valve solenoid coils are found in gas dryers. The gas valve solenoids allow gas to flow into the burner assembly by opening the gas valve ports. The dryer will not heat if the gas valve solenoid malfunctions. Check the igniter to see whether one or more of the gas valve solenoids has failed. The gas valve solenoid is malfunctioning if the igniter flashes and then goes out without igniting the gas. We recommend that you replace all of the gas valve coils if one or more are damaged.
03 – Igniter
The igniter burns the gas in the burner assembly. The gas will not ignite if the igniter is not operating, preventing the dryer from heating. Use a multimeter to check for continuity in the igniter to see if it has burned out. Replace the igniter if it does not have continuity.
04 – Flame Sensor
The flame sensor on a gas dryer monitors the heat released by the flame. The dryer will not heat if the flame sensor is not working. Make sure the igniter and thermal fuse aren’t faulty before testing the flame sensor. Use a multimeter to test the flame sensor for continuity at room temperature to see whether it’s malfunctioning. Replace the flame sensor if it does not exhibit continuity at normal temperature.
05 – Thermostatic Element
The heating element warmed the air before entering the dryer drum. A heating element might burn out over time, causing the dryer to stop heating. Use a multimeter to check for continuity to see if the heating element has burned out. Replace the heating element if it does not have continuity.
06 – Assembling the Heating Element
The heating element warmed the air before entering the dryer drum. The heating element might burn out over time, causing the dryer to stop heating. Use a multimeter to check for continuity to see if the heating element assembly has burned out. Replace the heating element assembly if it does not have continuity.
07 – A Problem With Incoming Power
If your dryer isn’t heating, it could be due to a power outage. Electric dryers require two 120 volt AC legs to equal 240 volts. It’s fairly uncommon for a single circuit or breaker to trip, allowing the dryer to operate but not heat. A multimeter should be used to inspect the fuse box or circuit breaker or to test the voltage at the outlet.
08 – Thermostat with a High Limit
If the dryer overheats, the high-limit thermostat monitors the temperature and cuts off the burner. Even though the dryer is not overheating, the high-limit thermostat may cut off the burner if it malfunctions. This is, however, a rare occurrence. Check all of the most typically defective parts before replacing the high-limit thermostat. If you’ve confirmed that all of the other components are in good operating order, check the thermostat for continuity with a multimeter. Replace the thermostat if it does not have continuity.
09 – Thermostat for Cycling
The cycling thermostat regulates the air temperature by cycling the heat on and off. The dryer will not heat if the cycling thermostat is broken. This is, however, a rare occurrence. Check all of the more typically problematic parts before replacing the cycling thermostat. If you’ve confirmed that all of the other components are in good operating order, check the thermostat for continuity with a multimeter. Replace the thermostat if it does not have continuity.\
10 – Main Control Board
It’s possible that the main control board is broken. This is, however, a rare occurrence. Check all of the more typically defective parts before replacing the main control board. Replace the main control board once you’ve established that all of the other components are in good working order. (You can’t readily examine the control board, but you can look for evidence of burning or a shorted-out component.)
11 – Set the timer
The timer may be malfunction if the dryer does not heat. This is, however, a very rare occurrence. Check all of the more typically defective parts before replacing the timer. If all of the other components appear to be in good working order, examine the timer with a multimeter and the wiring schematic. Replace the timer if it is broken.
Even after troubleshooting, your dryer isn’t heating up?
Inquire with the pros. If you’ve exhausted your troubleshooting options and your dryer is still not drying, you’ll most likely require professional diagnostic and repair assistance. There are three possible routes:
Allow the experts at Mr. Appliance to lessen your load by servicing your dryer. We have a combined experience of more than 20 years. To arrange service, call your local Mr. Appliance or go online.
Is it possible that your dryer isn’t heating up due to electrical issues? Mr. Electriclicensed ®’s electricians will improve your electrical panel and promptly handle other electrical concerns. Finally, if you suspect a gas line problem, contact your gas provider first. Then Mr. Rooter® Plumbing can help you upgrade your gas lines. These dependable brands are part of the Neighborly® family of home service professionals that will go above and beyond to meet your needs.
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