Dryer Not Heating Up? Here’s What to Do

Few things are more frustrating than finding your clothes still wet after you’ve run the dryer. Your dryer not heating up could be the culprit.

Common reasons for an electric or gas dryer failing to heat up properly include tripped circuit breakers, clogged vents, and no gas flow. Other causes, like a faulty thermal fuse or a broken heating element, could also be to blame.

If you gather your tools and follow this guide, you may be able to solve basic dryer heating problems on your own. But if you can’t get your dryer going or you simply don’t have time, call your local Mr. Appliance® professionals or schedule appliance service online.

Why Is My Dryer Not Heating Up? Simple Troubleshooting Tips

Addressing why your dryer is failing to heat up may be as simple as checking the dryer setting, while other troubles could signal more serious issues.

Here are some of the simpler causes of a dryer that won’t heat up:

• The dryer is set to “eco” or “cool.”
• There’s a tripped circuit breaker.

Most of these issues are easy to solve. Selecting the right setting should return your dryer function to normal.

Circuit Breaker Issues

As for circuit breaker issues, electric dryers need 240 volts to heat and run properly. If the breaker for your dryer is tripped in your electrical panel, try resetting it.

Vent Is Blocked

When the vent is blocked, it overheats and shuts down the thermostat. To fix this, clean off the lint screen and use a vacuum to clean out the lint trap. Then, remove the vent hose from the back of the dryer and shake it out. You might be surprised by all the items that have accumulated in your dryer vent hose. Assess whether it might be time for professional dryer vent cleaning. Pro tip: It’s recommended to clean out dryer vent hoses annually to prevent fires.

No Gas Flow

If you have a gas dryer, make sure you’ve paid your gas bill on time and that the gas valve feeding the dryer is open.

The Problem May Not Be Your Dryer

Check your washing machine’s performance. Is the spin cycle wringing enough water out of your clothes? Sopping-wet fabric will take a long time to dry in any dryer. Excessively wet fabric can also lead to humidity buildup in your dryer, further slowing the drying process.

Why Is My Dryer Not Heating?: The More Complex Answers

If none of the reasons above explains your dryer’s malfunction, your unit may have one of these issues:

• A faulty thermal fuse
• A broken heating element
• A broken thermostat
• A defective timer motor or control board
• A complex electrical or gas issue

We recommend consulting an expert on these problems. Many of them require mechanical expertise and a knowledge of how to source, remove, and install parts.

A professional can also inform you of whether the issue is something that can be fixed or if it is something that requires replacement. Attempting these repairs on your own can put your safety at risk and potentially damage your dryer further.

Some homeowners may try to test and replace these parts on their own, but professional dryer repair is recommended to positively diagnose the issue and eliminate safety concerns.

Dryer Not Heating Even After Troubleshooting? Call the Experts

If you’ve reached the end of your troubleshooting capabilities and your dryer is still not heating up and drying your clothes properly, you’ll likely need diagnostic and repair help from a trusted expert.

Let Mr. Appliance professionals lighten your load by servicing your dryer. We have more than 20 years of experience assessing and addressing broken dryers. Call your local Mr. Appliance or schedule service online today.