Common Causes of Dryers Not Heating

Electric and gas dryers that fail to heat can often be fixed with a bit of troubleshooting. Below are steps and tips to help you identify the issue. Appliances should ALWAYS be unplugged before any troubleshooting is attempted. 

Electric Dryers Not Heating

Case 1: Whirlpool/Maytag/Kenmore(110) Electric Dryer Not Heating - Timer based BACK Console

Causes in order of probability:

  1. Incoming Voltage Problem - Inspect the power cord and make sure it's connected securely and that the blades are not heat stressed or damaged. 
  2. Thermal Cutoff - Test the thermal cutoff using a multimeter for continuity.
  3. Heating Element - check the heating element for continuity (between 9-11 ohms). 
  4. Timer - While running the dryer, wiggle the timer knob and check for heat. 

Watch this YouTube tutorial for more details.
 

Case 2: Whirlpool/Maytag/Kenmore(110) Electric Dryer Not Heating - FRONT Console and Electronic BACK console

Causes in order of probability:

  1. Incoming Voltage Problem - Inspect the power cord and make sure it's connected securely and that the blades are not heat stressed or damaged. 
  2. Thermal Cutoff - Test the thermal cutoff using a multimeter for continuity.
  3. Heating Element (type 1) - check the heating element for continuity (between 9-11 ohms). 
  4. Heating Element (type 2 clamshell) - check the heating element for continuity (between 9-11 ohms). 
  5. Thermistor - Test thermistor to ensure it is in range - Thermistor Cheat Sheet Here

Watch this YouTube tutorial for more details.


Case 3: Samsung Electric Dryer Not Heating - FRONT Console

Causes in order of probability:

  1. Incoming Voltage Problem - Inspect the power cord and make sure it's connected securely and that the blades are not heat stressed or damaged. 
  2. Thermal Cutoff - Test the thermal cutoff using a multimeter for continuity.
  3. Heating Element (standard single coil only) - check the heating element for continuity (between 9-11 ohms). 
  4. Heating Element (standard single coil full assembly with thermostats) - check the heating element for continuity (between 9-11 ohms). 
  5. Heating Element (dual coil) check the heating element for continuity (between 9-11 ohms). 
  6. Thermistor - Test thermistor to ensure it is in range - Thermistor Cheat Sheet Here

Watch this YouTube tutorial for more details.


Case 4: Samsung Electric Dryer Not Heating - BACK Console

Causes in order of probability:

  1. Incoming Voltage Problem - Inspect the power cord and make sure it's connected securely and that the blades are not heat stressed or damaged. 
  2. Thermal Cutoff - Test the thermal cutoff using a multimeter for continuity.
  3. Heating Element (standard single coil only) - check the heating element for continuity (between 9-11 ohms). 
  4. Heating Element (standard single coil full assembly with thermostats) - check the heating element for continuity (between 9-11 ohms). 
  5. Heating Element (dual coil) check the heating element for continuity (between 9-11 ohms). 
  6. Thermistor - Test thermistor to ensure it is in range - Thermistor Cheat Sheet Here

Watch this YouTube tutorial for more details.


Case 5: GE Electric Dryer Not Heating - Timer based BACK Console

Causes in order of probability:

  1. Incoming Voltage Problem - Inspect the power cord and make sure it's connected securely and that the blades are not heat stressed or damaged. 
  2. Thermal Cutoff - Test the thermal cutoff using a multimeter for continuity.
  3. Heating Element - check the heating element for continuity (between 9-11 ohms). 
  4. Timer - While running the dryer, wiggle the timer knob and check for heat. 

Watch this YouTube tutorial for more details.


Gas Dryers Not Heating

Case 1: Whirlpool/Maytag/Kenmore(110) GAS Dryer Not Heating - BACK Console

Causes in order of probability:

  1. Thermal fuse - Test the thermal fuse using a multimeter for continuity.
  2. Poor venting - Check the venting exit for sufficient airflow while the dryer is running. 
  3. Flame Sensor - Check flame sensor for zero ohms (correct) when disconnected and dryer is unplugged. 
  4. Ignitor - Check ignitor for 50 - 500 ohms of resistance with an ohmmeter. 
  5. Gas Coils - simply replace gas coils or intermittent heat behavior - don't test them. 

Watch this YouTube tutorial for more details.


Case 2: Whirlpool/Maytag/Kenmore(110) GAS Dryer Not Heating - FRONT Console

Causes in order of probability:

  1. Thermal fuse - Test the thermal fuse using a multimeter for continuity.
  2. Poor venting - Check the venting exit for sufficient airflow while the dryer is running. 
  3. Flame Sensor - Check flame sensor for zero ohms (correct) when disconnected and dryer is unplugged. 
  4. Ignitor - Check ignitor for 50 - 500 ohms of resistance with an ohmmeter. 
  5. Gas Coils - simply replace gas coils or intermittent heat behavior - don't test them. 

Watch this YouTube tutorial for more details.


Case 3: Samsung GAS Dryer Not Heating

Causes in order of probability:

  1. Thermal fuse - Test the thermal fuse using a multimeter for continuity.
  2. Poor venting - Check the venting exit for sufficient airflow while the dryer is running. 
  3. Flame Sensor - Check flame sensor for zero ohms (correct) when disconnected and dryer is unplugged. 
  4. Ignitor - Check ignitor for 50 - 500 ohms of resistance with an ohmmeter. 
  5. Gas Coils - simply replace gas coils or intermittent heat behavior - don't test them. 

Watch this YouTube tutorial for more details.


Case 4: GE GAS Dryer Not Heating

Causes in order of probability:

  1. Thermal fuse - Test the thermal fuse using a multimeter for continuity.
  2. Poor venting - Check the venting exit for sufficient airflow while the dryer is running. 
  3. Flame Sensor - Check flame sensor for zero ohms (correct) when disconnected and dryer is unplugged. 
  4. Ignitor- Check ignitor for 50 - 500 ohms of resistance with an ohmmeter. 
  5. Gas Coils - simply replace gas coils or intermittent heat behavior - don't test them. 

Watch this YouTube Tutorial for more details.