Choose Product
Identify Problem
03
Find Solutions

Dryer is Not Heating: Find Out Why Your Dryer Stopped Heating

If your dryer is running but not heating, the most likely culprit is a blown thermal fuse, which trips when the dryer overheats and often means your vent is restricted; test the fuse with a multimeter and check the exhaust vent before replacing it. Next most likely issues include a faulty drive motor or its centrifugal switch, which can let the drum run without enabling the heat cycle, and on gas models a failed gas valve solenoid that will stop gas flow even if the igniter glows. Also double-check the cycle and heat setting since a no-heat option or wrong program is an easy miss. A bad igniter is another common failure on gas dryers and can be tested for continuity. If you need parts, enter your model number at RepairClinic.com to find the exact replacement parts for your dryer. This covers both electric and gas dryers and gives you the logical checks and parts to replace so you can get your dryer heating again without guessing.

01 - Dryer Thermal Fuse

The thermal fuse is a safety device designed to protect the dryer from overheating. The fuse is located on the blower housing or at the dryer’s heat source such as the heating element on electric dryers or at the burner on gas models. The fuse should be closed for continuity meaning it has a continuous electrical path through it when good. If overheated the fuse will have no continuity meaning the electrical path is broken and the fuse has blown. A multimeter can be used to test it for continuity. Be aware that a blown thermal fuse is an indication of a restricted exhaust vent from the dryer to the outside. Always check t...he dryer venting when replacing a blown thermal fuse.
Enter model number to search for the required part specific to your product
Top Solution

02 - Dryer Drive Motor

Most dryer drive motors have a centrifugal switch that energizes a start winding when the motor is first started and closes a heat cycle contact to allow the heat source to work. If the motor's centrifugal switch is faulty, either the motor won’t run or the motor will run but the dryer won’t heat. Since most centrifugal switches are not sold separately, the entire motor will need to be replaced if the switch is defective.
Top Solution

03 - Dryer Gas Valve Solenoid

Gas dryers have two or more gas valve solenoid coils. The gas valve solenoids open the gas valve ports to allow gas to flow into the burner assembly. If a gas valve solenoid fails, the dryer won’t heat. To determine if one or more of the gas valve solenoids has failed, check the igniter. If the igniter glows and goes out but does not ignite the gas, the gas valve solenoid is defective. If one or more of the gas valve coils are defective, we recommend that you replace them as a set.
Highly Likely

04 - Incorrect cycle settings

Ensure the dryer is set to the appropriate heat setting. The setting may have been inadvertently changed to a non-heat option.
Highly Likely

05 - Incorrect cycle selected

The dryer setting may have been inadvertently changed to a non-heat option. Confirm the dryer is set to a proper heating option such as "Regular" or "Heavy" to see if that improves drying performance.
Highly Likely

06 - Dryer Igniter

The igniter uses heat to ignite the gas in the burner assembly. If the igniter is not working, the gas will not ignite, preventing the dryer from heating. To determine if the igniter has burned out, use a multimeter to test the igniter for continuity. If the igniter does not have continuity, replace it.
Highly Likely

Frequently Asked Questions

Dryer runs but not heating — what should I check first?
Gas dryer tumbles but no heat — is it the igniter or the gas valve?
Dryer is overheating and then shuts off — could a thermal fuse be the problem?
How can I tell if the dryer drive motor's centrifugal switch is bad?
How do I enter my model number or part number on RepairClinic.com to find the correct replacement part?