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Is Your Dryer Not Heating Up? 2 Ways To Fix The Problem Yourself

If your dryer tumbles when you turn it on but does not seem to heat up, you may be tempted to replace your dryer. However, more often than not, the problem is fixable and fairly inexpensive. If your dryer is not heating up, here are two ways to attempt to fix the problem yourself.

Replace the Heating Element

If your dryer is not heating up when it is turned on, there is a very good chance that the heating element is to blame. The heating element is responsible for providing the heat that makes your dryer warm. Luckily, heating elements are not very expensive and are pretty easy to fix on your own. Follow these steps to replace yours:

1. Turn the dryer off and disconnect it from any power source. Always do this before performing any repairs on a dryer.
2. Open the cabinet compartment on the dryer. Accessing the cabinet compartment varies based on the brand and model of dryer you own. Consult your owner's manual for specific instructions related to your unit. Typically, the cabinet is a small door located towards the bottom of the dryer, on either the front or back side. Small screws hold the compartment closed, and when the screws are removed, either a panel can be removed or a door lifted to access the compartment.
3. Once the cabinet is open, locate the heating element. The heating element looks like an oval-shaped, spiral wire contraption. If you have a multimeter, you can test the heating element before you replace it. Set the multimeter to the R x 1 resistance scale and touch the wire at different intervals. If it gives off an infinite resistance reading, your heating element is dead and is the cause of the problem.
4. After locating the heating element, locate the screws holding the wires in place. Remove the screws and lift the heating element upwards to remove it. Insert a new element and screw it into place.
5. Close the cabinet compartment, plug your dryer back in and see if this solves the problem.

Change Out the Thermal Fuse

Another common reason why a dryer may not heat up when you want it to is because it has a blown thermal fuse. The thermal fuse is responsible for turning off the heat if a dryer gets too hot. If the fuse is blown, the fuse will trigger the dryer not to heat up at all, causing the issue you are experiencing. Replacing the blown fuse will solve the problem and get your dryer working again. Follow these steps to do that:

1. Turn the dryer off and allow it to cool to room temperature. This is extremely important as a dryer that is not completely cooled can affect the reading you get when testing the fuses.
2. Open the cabinet compartment on the dryer.
3. After opening the cabinet compartment, locate the thermal fuse. The thermal fuse is generally oval in shape and is about one to two inches in length. It has wires leading into and out of the fuse that connect the fuse to the heating element. If you can't find the fuse, locate the heating element and then follow the wires at the top or bottom of it and they will lead you to the fuse.
4. Use a pair of pliers to gently pull the wires out of the thermal fuse with their leads still attached. Do not pull too hard or you will disconnect the wire from the metal leads.
5. If you have a multimeter, set this device to the lowest setting. Then, touch the multimeter to both the left and right end of the metal fuse. If you get a reading of infinity, the fuse is fine. If the rating is less than infinity, your fuse needs to be replaced. If your dryer is warm when this reading is taken, you may get an incorrect reading, which is why it is important to cool the dryer. If you do not have a multimeter, you can bypass the fuse for testing purpose only. Connect both wire leads together and turn the dryer on. If it heats up, the fuse is bad and needs to be replaced.
6. Once you have verified the fuse is bad, use a screwdriver to unscrew the one screw holding the fuse in place. Install a new fuse and screw it into place. Connect the wires to the appropriate side of the fuse. 
7. Close the cabinet compartment, plug your dryer back in and see if this solves the problem.

The heating element and thermal fuse are just two of the reasons why your dryer may not heat up. A defective thermostat, bad timer motor and improper voltage can cause this problem as well. Unfortunately, these problems are a bit more complex to fix. If you have troubleshot and/or replaced the thermostat and heating element, and your dryer still won't heat up, it may be time to call in a professional appliance repair company like Affordable Appliance Repair. They can troubleshoot your unit, find the problem and fix more complex issues.