If your dryer isn't heating up, it's more than just a nuisance – it's a laundry day disaster waiting to happen. Luckily, our experts have compiled five simple DIY solutions to troubleshoot and fix the issue, saving you both time and frustration. Before you call in a professional, give these tips a try and get your dryer back in action.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The most frequent reasons for a dryer not heating include a clogged vent, improper electric or gas supply, a dirty lint screen, uneven loads, or a poorly functioning washer.
While some basic dryer problems can be addressed with DIY repairs guided by instructional videos, it's crucial to follow safety precautions, and for more complex issues or gas dryers, it's best to rely on professional repair services from Sears Home Services.
It's recommended to schedule annual appliance maintenance and cleaning for your dryer to prevent issues before they arise, ensuring proper functioning and reducing the risk of house fires, with Sears Home Services Technicians offering services such as vacuuming excess lint, checking venting, and inspecting electrical components.
They call them dryers for a reason. 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. Derrick Baylor, an appliance expert at Sears, offers his advice for troubleshooting common problems that could lead to a dryer not heating up - and simple ways to fix them.
Most Common Reasons Why Your Dryer Is Not Heating
Some of the most common reasons why your dryer is not getting hot include:
A clogged dryer vent.
Problems with the electrical supply or gas supply going to the dryer.
Clogged lint screen.
Loading problems.
Read on for more details about how to resolve these problems when your dryer is not getting hot.
Dryer vent is clogged
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. Go to the exhaust vent outside and use your hand to verify that the air is very warm and exiting at a decent flow. 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.
Improper or no electric or gas supply to the dryer
Is there a proper electrical or gas supply to the dryer? Dryers get their electricity from a 240-volt circuit supplied by two 120-volt lines. 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.
Clogged 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.
Uneven loads
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.
Washer leaving clothes too wet
The dryer might not even be to blame - the issue could be with the washer. If your washing machine isn't draining completely or isn't spinning enough water out of the clothes, it will be harder for the dryer to do its job.
Signs You Need to Hire a Dryer Repair Expert
When your dryer isn't working, there are times when it's best to have a Sears Technician diagnose and fix the problem instead of attempting a DIY repair.
A faulty thermal fuse
You'll typically need to schedule a Sears Technician to examine and repair your dryer when it blows a thermal fuse. A clogged exhaust vent duct system usually causes the thermal fuse to blow. The dryer overheats and trips the thermal fuse when hot exhaust air can't make it through the duct system to the outside of your home. Other problems such as faulty thermostats or temperature sensors can also cause the thermal fuse to blow. Having a service technician diagnose and repair the problem will ensure that the problem gets fixed properly and permanently.
A broken heating element
When the heating element breaks in your dryer, the appliance will stop heating and clothes won't get dry. Sometimes, the heating element can short to the metal inside the cabinet and cause an electrocution hazard. It's best to have a service technician examine and repair the dryer when the heating element breaks.
A broken thermostat
Thermostats inside the dryer control drying temperature and prevent the dryer from overheating. When a thermostat breaks, the dryer can overheat or not heat at all. Because a dryer typically has several thermostats, it's best to have a service technician examine your dryer and fix the problem.
A defective timer motor
A dryer with a dial timer typically has a timer motor that moves the control dial through the cycle. If the dial doesn't move and dryer keeps running without stopping, the timer motor may be defective. Other problems can prevent the control dial from advancing to the end of the cycle so it's important to have a service technician diagnose and repair a timer failure.
A complex electrical or gas issue
Some electrical failures are way too complicated for DIY'ers to diagnose and repair on their own. Finding and fixing electrical issues can be dangerous. Also, finding and repairing issues with the gas supply system in a gas dryer can be dangerous. Schedule a Sears Technician to diagnose and fix your dryer when you're unable to determine why it won't run or heat.