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KitchenAid dryer not heating
Common reasons your KitchenAid dryer is not heating
The most common reasons your KitchenAid dryer is not heating are an open heating element, failed thermal cut-off fuse or a faulty thermal fuse.
39% of the time it's the Heating Element
22% of the time it's the Thermal Cut-off Fuse
18% of the time it's the Thermal Fuse
21% of the time it's the Something else
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Most common repairs needed to fix a KitchenAid 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.
Why is my dryer working but has no heat?
As soon as you find that your dryer is not heating and it’s an electric version, check the house circuit breaker for the dryer to see if one of the 2 breakers for the dryer has tripped. Reset the circuit breaker if you find one tripped. This may restore power to the dryer heating circuit so it begins heating.
For a gas dryer that is not heating, check gas supply cut-off valve and open that valve if you find it shut.
If these basic troubleshooting steps don’t help restore heat in your dryer, schedule dryer repair service to have a Sears Home Service technician visit your home and fix the heating failure.
Why isn’t my dryer heating?
When your dryer is running but not heating, a number of different failures could be causing this symptom. Diagnosing and fixing heating problems differs for gas and electric dryers.
We’ll provide advice for both types of dryers.
Why is my Electric Dryer Not Heating?
In this helpful DIY video, we show you how to troubleshoot your dryer that won’t heat, including checking the heating element, high-limit thermostat, operating thermostat, thermal cut-off fuse and timer. Learn about a few easy tests you can run to find the problem, including using a multimeter to make sure current is flowing between the parts. Once you know what the issue is, you can fix the issue yourself or have our Sears Home Services technician fix the problem for you.
Check the Power Supply
The first step is to check to see if the dryer is getting the correct amount of power. You may think the dryer is getting enough power if the motor runs, but the heating element needs 240 volts of electricity to heat. The motor will run even if the dryer is only getting 120 volts of power.
Check your power cord to make sure it’s not damaged. Then, reset your house circuit breaker to make sure it’s not tripped. Set your dryer to a timed dry, high-heat cycle and see if it heats up after resetting the breakers.
If it’s still not heating, you’ll need to check the components on the control circuit. Checking continuity with a multimeter will allow you to test them all at once.
First, unplug the dryer. For safety, always disconnect power before checking continuity. Remove the back panel from the dryer, then remove the back of the control panel. Unplug the large red wire from terminal "A" on the timer. Set the multimeter to read ohms of resistance.
Measure resistance between the large red wire on the timer and the heating element terminal where the large red wire is connected. If you measure near 15 ohms of resistance through this circuit, then you know that the heating element, high-limit thermostat, operating thermostat and thermal cut-off fuse are all okay. You can skip ahead to learn how to check out your timer in the video.
Check the Dryer Heating Element
If you measured no electrical continuity through the circuit described, then check the heating element. Place your meter leads on the heating element terminals. You should measure near 15 ohms of resistance through the heating element.
If you measured no continuity, then the heating element is broken. This video will show you how to replace it:
If you measured near 15 ohms of resistance, then the heating element is good. Continue with the troubleshooting tips in the video to find the cause of your dryer not heating.
Why is my Gas Dryer Not Heating?
There are a many things that could keep your dryer from heating up. You might have a problem with the gas supply to the dryer, or problems with the flame sensor, gas valve coils, high-limit thermostat, operating thermostat, thermal cut-off fuse, thermal fuse, igniter or timer. I know that sounds like a lot, but don’t worry, we’ll help you work through it with the troubleshooting tips in this video:
Once you find the cause of the heating failure, decide whether you want to fix the problem yourself or have a Sears Home Services technician fix the dryer for you. If you want to have a technician fix the dryer, schedule dryer repair service.
Resolving a heating problem in your dryer will fix the appliance so it dries your clothes properly again.
What to expect when you experience a KitchenAid 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.
Without heat, a KitchenAid dryer can’t handle moisture effectively, leaving clothes soggy and musty. Burned heating coils or thermostat failure are common suspects. Avoid repeated cycles—arrange dryer repair near me. A precise fix keeps your laundry day on track.
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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.
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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.