A dryer that spins but does not heat leaves you with damp laundry and a long wait. In many homes the cause is a tripped breaker or a clogged vent, and a clogged vent matters for safety as well as performance, since lint buildup is a leading cause of dryer fires. Use this guide to run through the quick checks and the six most common reasons a dryer is not heating.
Quick checks before you call
- Check the breaker. Electric dryers use a double breaker that supplies 240 volts. If only one half trips, the drum can still turn but the dryer will not heat. Switch the breaker fully off and back on.
- Clean the lint screen. Remove lint from the screen and look inside the lint slot.
- Check the vent. Make sure the duct behind the dryer is not crushed, kinked or packed with lint, and that the outside vent flap opens when the dryer runs.
- Check the settings. Confirm the cycle is not set to air fluff or no heat.
- For a gas dryer, make sure the gas shutoff valve behind the dryer is open.
6 common reasons a dryer is not heating
1. A tripped breaker or power problem
A half-tripped double breaker or a loose connection at the outlet can leave an electric dryer with power for the drum and controls but not enough for the heating element. If the breaker keeps tripping, stop using the dryer and have it inspected.
2. A clogged dryer vent
When air cannot escape, the dryer overheats, and its safety devices shut the heat off. Long duct runs, flexible foil ducts and lint buildup are common problems. Clean the vent at least once a year, and more often if the dryer takes multiple cycles to dry a load. Clogged vents also waste energy and are a fire hazard.
3. A blown thermal fuse or tripped high-limit thermostat
These are safety devices that cut power to the heat when the dryer gets too hot. A blown thermal fuse is a common reason for a dryer with no heat. The part is inexpensive, but the fuse usually blows because of an underlying problem such as a clogged vent, so replacing it without finding the cause can lead to repeat failures.
4. A failed heating element (electric dryers)
The heating element is a coil of wire that glows to heat the air. Over time it can break or burn out. A technician can test it for continuity with a multimeter to confirm it is open.
5. A weak igniter or bad gas valve coils (gas dryers)
Gas dryers use an igniter to light the burner. If the igniter has weakened or the gas valve coils have failed, the burner will not light and the dryer will not heat. This is one of the most common causes of no heat in a gas dryer.
6. A faulty thermostat, sensor or control board
The cycling thermostat and temperature sensors tell the dryer when to turn the heat on and off. If they fail, the dryer may not heat, may not reach temperature, or may shut off early. The control board can also fail. These parts need to be tested before replacement.
Safety first: if you smell burning, see scorch marks, or find a lot of lint around the dryer, stop using it and unplug it until the vent is cleaned and the dryer is checked.
Jacksonville tip: humidity and long vent runs
Florida humidity makes clothes feel damp longer, and many homes have dryers that vent through a long run of duct. That makes vent cleaning even more important. If your clothes take more than one cycle to dry, check the vent before you assume the dryer is broken.
When to call a dryer repair technician
Call if the breaker and vent are fine and the dryer still does not heat, if the thermal fuse keeps blowing, or if you have a gas dryer that will not ignite. Hedlund Appliance Service repairs electric and gas dryers in Jacksonville 32224, Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach and Ponte Vedra Beach. We test the element, fuse, thermostats and igniter with a multimeter and find the root cause on the first visit. We service Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, GE and Maytag dryers. See our dryer repair page for more.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my dryer spinning but not heating?
The most common causes are a half-tripped breaker, a clogged vent, a blown thermal fuse, a failed heating element on an electric dryer, or a bad igniter on a gas dryer.
How often should I clean my dryer vent?
A good rule is at least once a year, and more often if your dryer takes more than one cycle to dry a load or the vent run is long.
Is it worth repairing a dryer that is not heating?
In most cases yes. Parts like the thermal fuse, heating element and igniter are common repairs on dryers that are otherwise in good shape. A technician can diagnose the cause and give you an honest repair-or-replace recommendation.
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Dryer not heating in Jacksonville?
Call or text Hedlund Appliance Service. We are open 24 hours Monday through Friday. Send your model number and what the appliance is doing and we will tell you what to expect.