Dryer Not Heating? Causes and Solutions

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Fleet Appliance
April 10, 2023
Dryer Repair

If your dryer has stopped heating, this guide is for you! We will discuss all the major causes of this problem and let you know the solutions to fix them. The most common cause is that the lint trap or vent is full of lint, so it’s usually pretty simple to get your dryer working again. However, if that doesn’t work, you will need to check internal components with a multimeter. If you don’t have a multimeter, you will need to call a technician to come and inspect your dryer.

Cause 1 – the vent and lint trap may be full

The best place to start is to check the lint trap and ventilation system to ensure they aren’t full of lint. When this happens, your dryer won’t be able to heat properly.

Here is how to check the lint trap and vent:

  1. Locate the lint trap.
  2. Remove it from your dryer and clean out any lint.
  3. Place the lint trap back into your appliance.
  4. Check if your dryer can now heat properly.
  5. If your dryer still doesn’t heat, clean out the vent. You can do this by disconnecting the vent and then vacuuming it out. Once clean, reattach the vent.
  6. Check if your dryer can now heat correctly. If not, check cause 2.

Cause 2 – the thermal fuse might be faulty

The next cause to investigate is if the thermal fuse has become faulty. The thermal fuse turns your dryer off when it overheats. So if it becomes faulty, your dryer might be unable to heat.

Here is how to fix a faulty thermal fuse:

  1. Switch your dryer off.
  2. Remove the top and side panels from your dryer to access the thermal fuse. 
  3. Once removed, locate the thermal fuse (consult your dryer manual if required).
  4. Once located, test the thermal fuse with a multimeter for continuity.
  5. No continuity means the fuse is faulty and needs to be replaced. If it has continuity, it’s working correctly, and you can move on to cause 3.
  6. Replace the thermal fuse and then switch your dryer on. 
  7. Turn your dryer onto a cycle. If it still doesn’t heat, move on to cause 3.

Cause 3 – the gas igniter might be faulty

The following two causes are for gas-powered dryers only. If you have an electric dryer, move down to cause 5. Gas-powered dryers have igniters to light the gas. If the igniter is faulty, your dryer won’t be able to heat.

Here is how to fix the gas valve solenoid and igniter:

  1. Start by checking if the igniter works. This can be done by checking if the gas ignites when you turn your dryer on. If not, check the igniter with a multimeter for continuity. If the gas ignites, move on to cause 4.
  2. If the igniter is faulty, replace the igniter.
  3. Once replaced, check if your dryer can now heat. If not, move on to cause 4.

Cause 4 – the flame sensor might be faulty

Your dryer also has a flame sensor that monitors the temperature in your dryer. When the sensor becomes faulty, your dryer won’t heat properly.

Here is how to fix a faulty flame sensor:

  1. Switch the dryer off.
  2. Remove the top and side panels if you haven’t already so you can access the flame sensor.
  3. Once located, test the sensor with a multimeter for continuity. If faulty, replace it. If it has continuity, move on to cause 5.
  4. Once replaced, check if your dryer can now heat. If not, move on to cause 5.

Cause 5 – the heating element might be faulty

This cause is for electric dryers only. If you have a gas dryer, move on to step 6. Electric dryers have an element that provides heat during a drying cycle. When faulty, your dryer won’t be able to heat.

Here is how to fix a faulty heating element:

  1. Switch the dryer off.
  2. Remove the top and side panels if you haven’t already so you can access the heating element.
  3. Once located, test the heating element with a multimeter for continuity. If faulty, replace it. If it has continuity, move on to cause 6.
  4. Once replaced, check if your dryer can now heat. If not, move on to cause 6.

Cause 6 – the high-limit thermostat might be faulty

The high-limit thermostat is in your dryer to monitor the temperature so that it can tell the control board to switch your dryer off when it overheats. If the thermostat becomes faulty, your dryer won’t heat.

Here is how to fix a faulty high-limit thermostat:

  1. Switch the dryer off.
  2. Remove the top and side panels if you haven’t already so you can access the high-limit thermostat.
  3. Once located, test the thermostat with a multimeter for continuity. If faulty, replace it. If it has continuity, move on to cause 7.
  4. Once replaced, check if your dryer can now heat. If not, move on to cause 7.

Cause 7 – the timer might be faulty

A faulty timer is the next possible cause of your dryer not heating. The timer makes sure your dryer works properly during a drying cycle. If it becomes faulty, your dryer might not heat properly.

Here is how to fix a faulty timer:

  1. Switch the dryer off.
  2. Remove the top and side panels if you haven’t already so you can access the timer.
  3. Once located, test the timer with a multimeter for continuity. If faulty, replace it. If it has continuity, move on to cause 8.
  4. Once replaced, check if your dryer can now heat. If not, move on to cause 8.

Cause 8 – the main control board might be faulty

The final potential cause is a faulty main control board. The main control board is responsible for telling the other components in your dryer when to turn on and off. If it becomes faulty, your dryer won’t be able to heat. Unfortunately, the main control board is difficult to repair so you need to replace it. It’s worth considering calling a technician so they can inspect your dryer, as replacing the main control board isn’t guaranteed to get your dryer heating again.

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