Causes of a Dryer Not Heating

A dryer that fails to heat can be a major inconvenience. Whether it’s a gas or electric model, it can make putting clothes in the dryer much more tedious than necessary. Luckily, most causes of a dryer not heating are relatively simple to resolve and can often be done in the comfort of your home.

In electrical dryers, the most common cause for a failure to produce heat is that the circuit breaker has been tripped. This can occur if the machine has been turned on and left running for an extended period of time. If this is the case, simply reset the breaker and check to ensure it hasn’t been tripped again.

If the breaker isn’t to blame, it may be a sign that the heating element is failing. This is a component that generates the heat needed to dry your clothes and can wear out over time. To replace this part, first disconnect power (and gas if applicable) and remove the back panel. You will find the heating coils are made of metal wires that are coiled together. Unscrewing the coil and testing with a multimeter should provide you with the information you need to replace the coil.

Another common culprit for a failure to produce heat in an electric dryer is the temperature switch or thermostat. These parts maintain a certain temperature throughout the cycle and can malfunction and lead to blown fuses, tripped breakers and even a loss of heat. These parts are relatively easy to diagnose and replace with the help of a simple multimeter. dryer not heating