Fixing a Dryer That Runs But Never Heats
It can be annoying and irritating to have a dryer that runs but doesn’t heat up. There could be a number of causes for this problem, ranging from simple failures to more complex technological issues, if you are experiencing it. But don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with both basic and sophisticated troubleshooting methods to help you quickly get your dryer up and running.
Understanding the Issue
An issue with the heating system is typically indicated by a dryer that runs but never heats up. The air that dryers use to dry your garments is often heated using electricity or gas. There are several potential causes for a dryer that won’t heat up, including defective parts like the thermal fuse, thermostat, gas valve coils, or igniter. Therefore, it’s important to start with some fundamental checks before moving on to sophisticated troubleshooting.
Basic Troubleshooting Steps
Model and serial number verification
It is best to verify the model and serial number of your dryer before performing any tests. This information can be found in the handbook that came with your machine or on the back of your device. With this knowledge, you can choose the components that need to be changed and contact the manufacturer or a qualified technician for assistance.
Inspection of the Door Switch
Your dryer might not be heating up despite running, due to a broken door switch. When the door is closed, the door switch is in charge of turning on the heating system. The dryer might not heat up if the switch is malfunctioning or damaged. Inspect the switch for signs of wear and tear, and replace it right away if necessary.
Testing Automatic Sensors
It’s possible that the absence of heating is due to your dryer’s automated sensors. When your garments are dry, these sensors will detect the amount of moisture in them and turn off the heating system. The dryer may not heat up if the sensors are broken. Try running a cycle with a small load of damp garments, and then check to see if they totally dry to test the sensors. You might need to replace the sensors if they don’t.
Advanced Troubleshooting Steps
It’s time to proceed to more sophisticated troubleshooting techniques if the fundamental checks don’t address the problem. Some of the methods you can employ are as follows:
Removing the Drum
The thermal fuse, operational thermostat, gas valve coils, and igniter can all be reached by removing the drum from the heating system. These parts can simply be examined for wear and tear and replaced as needed.
Checking the Thermal Fuse
Your dryer’s thermal fuse is a safety feature that guards against overheating. Your dryer may not heat up if it’s blown. Use a multimeter to check the continuity of the thermal fuse. Replace it blown if necessary.
Inspecting the Operating Thermostat
Your dryer won’t overheat thanks to the thermal fuse, a safety mechanism. Your dryer might not heat up if the fuse is blown. Use a multimeter to check the thermal fuse’s continuity. Replace it if it’s blown.
Testing the Flame Sensor
The flame sensor could be the problem if your dryer heats up using gas. The gas valve can remain open thanks to this sensor, which recognizes the flame created by the gas burner. Your dryer may not heat up if the sensor is malfunctioning, preventing the gas valve from opening. A multimeter can be used to check the continuity of the sensor. Exchange it if it is broken.
Inspection of the Thermal Fuse
Your dryer’s thermal fuse aids in preventing overheating. Your dryer may not heat up if it’s blown. A multimeter can be used to test the thermal fuse. Replace it blown if necessary.
Inspection of the Gas Valve Coils
If your dryer runs on gas, the issue could be the gas valve coils. These coils regulate how much gas gets to the burner. If they are broken, the gas valve might not open, which would prevent your dryer from heating. Use a multimeter to check the coils on the gas valves for continuity. Replace them if they are defective.
Igniter evaluation
If your dryer runs on gas, the igniter might be malfunctioning. To light the burner, the igniter warms the gas. The gas won’t ignite if it is broken, and your dryer won’t heat up. Use a multimeter to check the continuity of the igniter to test it. Replace it if it is broken.
Examination of the Drive Motor
Your dryer’s drive motor is in charge of rotating the drum. If it is broken, the drum might not turn, which could lead to the heating system breaking down. Remove the drum and look for wear and tear to inspect the drive motor. Replace it if it is broken.
Maintenance Tips
The efficiency of your dryer must be maintained by routinely clearing the lint screen. A thermal fuse may explode if there is too much lint buildup in your dryer, which might result in overheating. After every load, remove any lint from the dryer’s vent and clean the lint screen.
FAQs When Dryer Runs But Never Heats Up
If your dryer runs but never heats up, you may have one of several common problems that prevent it from working properly. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about this issue:
– Why is my dryer running but not heating?
There are several possible causes for a dryer that runs but does not heat, such as a tripped circuit breaker, a clogged vent, a defective cycling thermostat, a broken heating element, or a blown thermal fuse. Depending on the cause, you may need to replace or repair some parts of your dryer.
– How do you fix a dryer that won’t heat up?
The first step to fix a dryer that won’t heat up is to check the power source and make sure it is not interrupted by a tripped circuit breaker or a blown fuse. If the power is fine, you should inspect the venting system and remove any lint or debris that may block the airflow. Next, you should test the cycling thermostat and the heating element with a multimeter and see if they have continuity. If they don’t, you need to replace them with new ones. Finally, you should check the thermal fuse, which is usually located near the exhaust vent on your dryer. If it is blown, you need to replace it with a new one as well.
– Why is my dryer running but not drying?
If your dryer runs but does not dry your clothes properly, it may be due to an overloaded drum, an incorrect setting, or poor ventilation. You should avoid overloading your dryer and choose the right cycle and temperature for your fabrics. You should also make sure that your lint screen is clean and that your venting system is clear of any obstructions.
– How do I know if my thermal fuse is blown?
The thermal fuse is a safety device that cuts off power to the heating element if the dryer overheats. To test if your thermal fuse is blown, you need to disconnect your dryer from the power source and locate the fuse on your dryer. You can use a multimeter to check for continuity across the terminals of the fuse. If there is no continuity, it means that the fuse is blown and needs to be replaced.
– How do I check the heating element in my dryer?
To test if your dryer’s heating element is working properly, you need to disconnect the power source and remove the front panel of the dryer. Locate the heating element, which is usually a metal coil attached to a metal plate. Use a multimeter to measure the resistance of the heating element. If the reading is infinite or very high, it means the heating element is broken and needs to be replaced.
– How do I check the thermostat in my dryer?
The thermostat is a component that regulates the heat used in the drying process. If your dryer is not heating properly or shutting off at the timer, you may need to check the thermostat for continuity. To do this, you will need to access the rear panel of the dryer and locate the thermostat, which is a small, round or oval-shaped metal piece with two wires attached to it . You will need to disconnect the wires and use a multimeter set to 200 ohms of resistance to test the thermostat’s ohms. A reading of 0 or close to 0 indicates good continuity, while a reading of infinity means that the thermostat is faulty and needs to be replaced.
– How do I check the thermal cutoff fuse in my dryer?
The thermal fuse is a safety device that prevents the dryer from overheating. It is usually located on or near the exhaust duct of the dryer. To check the thermal fuse, you will need to unplug the dryer and remove the back panel. Then, you will need to disconnect the wires from the fuse and use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the multimeter needle does not move, it means that the fuse is blown and needs to be replaced .
– How do I check the high-limit thermostat in my dryer?
The high-limit thermostat is a safety device that prevents the dryer from overheating. It is located on the blower wheel housing or the vent system, depending on your dryer model. To check the high-limit thermostat, you will need a multimeter and a screwdriver. Here are the steps to follow:
- Unplug the dryer from the power source and remove the rear access panel with a screwdriver.
- Locate the high-limit thermostat, which is a small oval device with two wires attached to it.
- Disconnect the wires from the thermostat terminals by pulling on the metal connectors. Label or mark them so you can reconnect them later.
- Set your multimeter to measure resistance (ohms) and touch one probe to each terminal of the thermostat.
- At room temperature, you should get a reading of zero ohms or close to zero ohms, which means there is good continuity within the thermostat.
- If you get a reading of infinity or no continuity, then your thermostat is faulty and needs to be replaced.
This is how you can check the high-limit thermostat in your dryer.
– How do I check the cycling thermostat in my dryer?
A cycling thermostat is a device that regulates the air temperature inside your dryer. It can cause problems if it fails to switch off the heating element or burner assembly when the air temperature reaches a certain level. To test a cycling thermostat, you will need a multimeter and an electric griddle or skillet. First, disconnect your dryer from the power source and remove the rear access panel. Then, locate the cycling thermostat on the blower housing and disconnect its wires. Next, set your multimeter to measure ohms of resistance and touch its probes to each terminal of the thermostat. You should get a reading of zero or infinity at room temperature. If not, the thermostat is defective and needs to be replaced. Finally, place the thermostat on an electric griddle or skillet and heat it up gradually while checking its resistance with your multimeter. The resistance should change as the temperature changes. If it does not, the thermostat is faulty and should be replaced.
Conclusion: Fixing Your Dryer
In conclusion, a dryer that runs but never heats up is a common issue that can be resolved with some basic and advanced troubleshooting steps. If you’re unsure about any of the checks or replacements, seek assistance from a professional technician or contact the manufacturer for guidance. With regular maintenance and care, your dryer should last for many years and provide you with efficient and effective drying results.
Here are the major cities we service in Fulton County:
Atlanta, Roswell, Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Sandy Springs, Johns Creek, Milton, Alpharetta