It’s one of the most common problems of the dryers, and perhaps the only problem you may encounter. Mostly, it’s due to the tripped circuit breaker, clogged vent, and no gas flow.
Pick up your tools, and follow this guide to solve basic dryer heating problems by yourself. If these troubleshooting methods don’t get your dryer running, or you don’t have time for any DIY, schedule a dryer repair service with the experienced specialists at your local AC Repair Center.
Why Is Your Dryer Not Heating?
Start by checking out the simplest possible problems that you can solve yourself.
Here are some common problems that can prevent the dryer from heating up:
- The dryer is unplugged
- The dryer door is not closed completely
- The dryer vent lint screen and lint trap suffocate the heating element
When the heating element is blocked with junk, it overheats and shuts off the thermostat. Clean up the lint screen, and vacuum the lint trap. Remove the vent hose behind the dryer, and shake it out. You may be surprised by all the trinkets that collect in the dryer’s vent hoses.
- There is no gas flow
If you have a gas dryer, ensure that you pay your gas bill on time and that the gas valve that feeds the dryer is turned on.
- A circuit breaker has tripped in your electrical panel
Electric dryers need two 120v breakers to operate: one is for powering the heating element, and the other is for running the motor that turns the drum. In some cases, these breakers can trip independently, depending on how the electrician connected the panel. One of these tripped breakers would explain why the drum is spinning while the dryer is cold. If you find any breakers are tripped in the electrical panel, reset them.
- Maybe the problem is not in your dryer at all
Check the washing machine’s performance. Does the spin cycle squeeze enough water out of your clothes? Because for wet fabric, it will take forever to dry in the dryer.
Why Your Dryer is Not Heating? The Complex Answers
If none of those issues above seemed to be the problem in your dryer, your appliance might have one of these issues
- A defective thermal fuse
- A faulty heating element
- A faulty thermostat
- A defective timer motor
- A complicated electrical or gas issue
Some homeowners might try to rest and replace these elements by themselves, though this task is relatively difficult. Thorough testing is recommended in order to positively diagnose the problem and fix security issues.
Is Your Dryer Still Not Heating After Troubleshooting? Call the Professionals
If you have reached the end of these troubleshooting opportunities and your dryer is still not working, you’d apparently need a professional for diagnostic and repair help. Whenever gas or electricity is involved, it is always safest to call a qualified professional to do the job.
Let us at AC Repair Center lighten your load inspecting and servicing your appliance. Call us at (512) 595-9222 or schedule a dryer service online.
