Any brand · Dryer · Symptom

Dryer not heating

likely causes and what to check

What it means

A dryer that tumbles but never heats has almost always lost its heat source, not its motor. The drum turning tells you the drive side is alive; the fault sits in the heat circuit.

The checks below are the ones that cost nothing and are safe. The parts behind them cost $10–$60 on most brands.

Likely causes, ranked

Clogged vent or lint screena restricted vent makes the dryer cycle its heat off early — the most common no-heat cause that no part will fix
Tripped thermal fusethe one-shot safety that blows when the vent overheats — once it is open, the heat never comes on
Broken heating element (electric)a snapped coil heats nothing; on most dryers it is the usual failed part
Failed igniter or glow bar (gas)a gas dryer with a dead igniter tumbles forever and never lights
Cycling or high-limit thermostata stuck thermostat can hold the heat off even with a healthy element

Ranked for this dryer in general. Answer three questions inside a case and the list gets shorter.

Verdict, in general terms

A thermal fuse is $10–$20 and an element $30–$60 as parts, and a dryer of nearly any age is worth that. The exception: if the vent has been choked for years and the cabinet shows scorching, stop and replace — a cooked dryer is a fire risk no part cures.

Unplug an electric dryer before anything past the lint screen. If the plug or cord has ever felt hot, or you smell burning, stop using the dryer and have the circuit checked.

The checks, in order

4 checks

Check 1 — Clean the lint screen and the vent path
20 minutes · vacuum
This eliminates: restricted vent, early heat cut-out.
The step-by-step opens inside a case.
Check 2 — Run a cycle on air fluff, no heat
20 minutes · no tools
This eliminates: motor and drum path, for good.
The step-by-step opens inside a case.
Check 3 — Find the thermal fuse and test it
30 minutes · one screwdriver, a $15 multimeter
This eliminates: tripped thermal fuse.
The step-by-step opens inside a case.
Check 4 — Inspect the heating element (electric)
45 minutes · one screwdriver, a $15 multimeter
This eliminates: broken element.
The step-by-step opens inside a case.

Stuck, or want a person?

Ty Fletcher answers a Second Opinion by email within 24 hours — 10 years of construction and maintenance, not a licensed technician. You send photos and the model plate; the answer names the next thing to do, or the stop line.

Get a Second Opinion — $49One payment. Answered by email.

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