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Kenmore Elite dryer not heating
Common reasons your Kenmore Elite dryer is not heating
The most common reasons your Kenmore Elite dryer is not heating are an open heating element, failed thermal cut-off fuse or a faulty thermal fuse.
32% of the time it's the Heating Element
19% of the time it's the Thermal Cut-off Fuse
16% of the time it's the Thermal Fuse
33% of the time it's the Something else
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Most common repairs needed to fix a Kenmore Elite dryer
Heating Element Replacement
An open heating element could be causing the problem when your dryer is not heating. “Open” means that the heating element is broken and current isn’t flowing through the element to produce heat. You may not see physical damage on the heating element for it to be electrically open. An interior break in the continuity of the element can prevent it from heating. When your dryer isn’t heating, have a Sears Home Services Technician visit your home and fix the dryer.
Thermal Cut-off Fuse Replacement
A failed thermal cut-off fuse will prevent your dryer from heating. This fuse is a safety device that helps keep the dryer from overheating. Overheating is often caused by a clogged exhaust vent system in the dryer. Once the thermal cut-off fuse trips, it won’t reset. You’ll need to have a Sears Home Services Technician visit your home and replace the blown thermal cut-off fuse. The technician will check for the cause of the blown fuse and correct any additional problems so the dryer will heat and run properly after replacing the fuse.
Thermal Fuse Replacement
In a gas dryer not heating, a blown thermal fuse could be causing the problem. The thermal fuse is a safety device attached to the blower housing that trips when the dryer overheats. A faulty thermal fuse may trip at a lower temperature than it is designed to trip at. When your gas dryer won’t heat, schedule a repair appointment through Sears Home Services and we’ll send an in-home technician to fix the dryer. The technician will check the thermal fuse and replace it if it’s blown.
What to expect when you experience a Kenmore Elite dryer not heating issue
How is the not heating problem fixed?
Correcting most not heating problems usually involves replacing the heating element, thermal cut-off fuse or thermal fuse. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.
Sears Home Services recommendations for a dryer that is not heating
When the dryer is not heating it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of dryer failures.
What to look out for with a dryer not heating diagnosis
Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your dryer problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.
When you’re unable to fix a failure yourself, set up Kenmore Elite dryer repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to fix the problem.
Why is my Kenmore Elite dryer not getting heat?
Some of the most common reasons why your Kenmore Elite dryer is not getting heat include:
- A clogged dryer vent.
- Problems with the electrical supply or gas supply going to the dryer.
- Clogged lint screen.
- Component failure.
Read on for more details about how to resolve these problems when your Kenmore Elite dryer is not getting hot.
Dryer vent is clogged
This is the most common cause of a dryer not heating. To check if your venting is clogged, start a timed dry on high heat. Go to the exhaust vent outside and use your hand to see if that the air is very warm and exiting at a decent flow. If there's little airflow, your venting likely needs to be cleaned or replaced. If the temperature's too low, there may be an operational issue with the dryer, which should be checked by a service technician. Schedule dryer repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician visit your home and fix the dryer.
Improper or no electric or gas supply to the dryer
Is there a proper electrical or gas supply to your Kenmore Elite dryer?
Electric Kenmore Elite dryers get their electricity from a 240-volt circuit supplied by two 120-volt lines. If only one of the lines is working, the dryer will run but not heat up. Check the house circuit breakers for your dryer and reset the breakers to restore the properly electrical power to the dryer.
For a Kenmore Elite gas dryer, the appliance won't heat if your gas is off. Make sure the gas supply cut-off valve for the dryer is fully open. If none of your gas appliances are getting gas, contact your gas supplier to get help in restoring the gas supply to your home.
Clogged lint screen
If your lint screen is plugged up or dirty, it will reduce airflow and prevent clothes from drying. Eventually, a clogged lint screen can trip the thermal fuse and the dryer won’t heat at all.
Clean the lint screen before starting each load in the dryer.
Monthly, you’ll need to wash the lint screen as shown in this video:
Signs You Need to Hire a Dryer Repair Expert
When your dryer isn't working, there are times when it's best to have a Sears Technician diagnose and fix the problem instead of attempting a DIY repair.
A faulty thermal fuse
You'll typically need to schedule a Sears Technician to examine and repair your dryer when it blows a thermal fuse. A clogged exhaust vent duct system usually causes the thermal fuse to blow. The dryer overheats and trips the thermal fuse when hot exhaust air can’t make it through the duct system to the outside of your home. Other problems such as faulty thermostats or temperature sensors can also cause the thermal fuse to blow. Having a service technician diagnose and repair the problem will ensure that the problem gets fixed properly and permanently.
A broken heating element
When the heating element breaks in your dryer, the appliance will stop heating and clothes won’t get dry. Sometimes, the heating element can short to the metal inside the cabinet and cause an electrocution hazard. It’s best to have a service technician examine and repair the dryer when the heating element breaks.
A broken thermostat
Thermostats inside the dryer control drying temperature and prevent the dryer from overheating. When a thermostat breaks, the dryer can overheat or not heat at all. Because a dryer typically has several thermostats, it’s best to have a service technician examine your dryer and fix the problem.
A defective timer motor
A dryer with a dial timer typically has a timer motor that moves the control dial through the cycle. If the dial doesn’t move and dryer keeps running without stopping, the timer motor may be defective. Other problems can prevent the control dial from advancing to the end of the cycle so it's important to have a service technician diagnose and repair a timer failure.
A complex electrical or gas issue
Some electrical failures are way too complicated for DIY'ers to diagnose and repair on their own. Finding and fixing electrical issues can be dangerous. Also, finding and repairing issues with the gas supply system in a gas dryer can be dangerous. Schedule a Sears Technician to diagnose and fix your dryer when you’re unable to determine why it won’t run or heat.
How Do You Troubleshoot Kenmore Elite Dryer Not Heating Issues?
Many appliance repair DIY'ers view videos on YouTube and fix their dryers themselves. Although advanced repairs on gas and electric dryers can be dangerous and risky, you may be able to troubleshoot some basic dryer failures on your own by watching our safe and easy-to-follow DIY repair videos.
Always unplug the dryer and shut off the gas supply before attempting any DIY repair and troubleshooting procedure.
For a Kenmore Elite electric dryer that won’t heat, follow the troubleshooting tips in this video.
When you have a Kenmore Elite gas dryer that won’t heat, follow the troubleshooting steps in this video.
When you’re unable to find and fix the heating problem in your Kenmore Elite dryer, schedule dryer repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the issue.
A cool Kenmore Elite dryer typically indicates a burnt coil, thermostat glitch, or sensor malfunction. Multiple cycles won’t undo missing heat. Quickly choose dryer repair near me to replace failing parts. Warm, efficient operation resumes, preserving your laundry routine.
What our customers say about us
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Excellent service from Daniel
Daniel provided excellent service and was very quick to perform the repair. I have nothing good to say about the warranty program and the LACK of customer service and the inability to contact a human being to talk.
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Excellent technician Very thorough and detail oriented Would be happy to have him work on appliances again He managed to find our ranch headquarters in the middle of the desert
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Dryer service
He was professional and polite. I didn't call back later that afternoon, although he replaced a thermostat the smart dry timer doesn't work as I was still having the same issue. The lady said she would email him and have him return. Never heard from anyone else.
Terry F, Oklahoma City, OK
Frequently Asked Questions
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Glossary Terms
A dryer drum is the main interior component of a clothes dryer where clothes are placed to be dried. It rotates during the drying cycle, allowing heated air to circulate through the clothes.
A dryer filter, commonly known as a lint filter, is a component of a clothes dryer that captures lint and other debris from clothes during the drying process, preventing them from clogging the dryer vent.
A dryer pedestal is a platform that elevates a dryer off the ground, making it easier to load and unload laundry while also providing additional storage space in some models.
A dryer rack is an accessory for clothes dryers that provides a stationary platform to dry items without tumbling, ideal for delicate or bulky items, or shoes that might be damaged by the usual drying cycle.