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Fix a dryer that will not heat

We'll confirm the drum runs, rule out power and vent blockage, then isolate the cause—thermal fuse, heating element, or thermostat for electric; igniter for gas—or tell you when to call a pro.

Troubleshooting · Home appliances
15–45 min
What you'll need
  • Multimeter (for continuity tests)
  • Screwdriver set (Phillips and flathead)
  • Replacement thermal fuse, heating element, or igniter (if tests show a fault)
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Steps

Goal: Confirm the symptom, rule out power and vent, then isolate the heating fault.

  • Run a timed dry cycle. Listen for the drum turning and feel the exhaust vent or lint screen area after two minutes.
  • Good: The drum turns but the air stays cold—heating system has failed. Proceed to Check power and vent.
  • Bad: The drum does not turn—different problem (motor, belt). See When to get help.

Check power and vent

Goal: Rule out power loss and vent blockage before opening the dryer.

  • Verify the dryer is plugged in and the circuit breaker has not tripped. Electric dryers use 240 volts; both legs must be on. Reset the breaker if tripped.
  • Pull the dryer away from the wall, disconnect the vent hose, and check for lint buildup. Clean the hose and wall duct if blocked.
  • Check the connection behind the dryer: electric dryers have a thick cord with a four-prong or three-prong plug; gas dryers have a gas line and a standard 120-volt plug. You should see either a thick cord (electric) or a gas line (gas).
  • Good: Power is on and vent is clear. Proceed to Electric path or Gas path based on your dryer type.
  • Bad: Breaker keeps tripping or vent is severely blocked—fix those first, or call a pro if the breaker trips immediately.

Electric path

Goal: Test and replace the thermal fuse, heating element, or thermostat on an electric dryer.

  • Unplug the dryer. Open the back or top panel per your model. Check your owner’s manual or search “[brand] [model] dryer service manual” for disassembly steps if unsure. Locate the thermal fuse (small white or silver cylinder, often near the exhaust duct).
  • Test the thermal fuse for continuity with a multimeter. No continuity means it has blown—replace with an exact match (match the part number from the old fuse; appliance parts suppliers and the manufacturer sell replacements).
  • If the thermal fuse is good, locate the heating element (coiled wire inside a housing). On some models it is behind the drum and requires drum removal—if that exceeds your comfort level, call a technician. Test for continuity. Replace if broken or burned.
  • If both are good, test the high-limit and cycling thermostat for continuity. Replace any that fail.
  • Good: You found and replaced the faulty part. Reassemble and test—the dryer should heat.
  • Bad: All parts test good but the dryer still does not heat—call a technician.

Gas path

Goal: Inspect and replace the igniter on a gas dryer. Gas valve work requires a pro.

  • Unplug the dryer and shut off the gas supply at the valve behind the dryer. Open the front or bottom panel per your model. Check your owner’s manual or search “[brand] [model] dryer service manual” for disassembly steps if unsure.
  • Locate the igniter. Inspect for cracks or breaks. Test for continuity if possible.
  • If the igniter is cracked or failed, replace it. Restore power and gas. The igniter should glow and the burner should light.
  • Good: The igniter glows and the flame lights. The dryer heats.
  • Bad: The igniter glows but no flame appears—gas valve issue. Call a technician. Do not work on gas valves yourself.

When to get help

If you smell gas, evacuate immediately. Do not turn on lights or appliances. Call 911 or your gas utility from outside. Do not call a technician for an active gas leak—that is an emergency.

Call an appliance technician if:

  • The dryer is gas and the igniter glows but no flame appears (gas valve).
  • You have replaced the thermal fuse and heating element and the dryer still does not heat.
  • The drum does not turn (motor or belt—different problem).
  • You are not comfortable working with electricity or gas.

Verification

  • The drum turns and the exhaust air is warm within two minutes of starting a cycle.
  • No error codes or unusual noises.
  • The thermal fuse, heating element, or igniter (if replaced) tests good and the dryer heats consistently.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Confirm symptom Verify the drum turns but the air stays cold; rule out a different problem.
  2. Power and vent Check circuit breaker and vent blockage; both can prevent heat.
  3. Electric — thermal fuse and heating element Test and replace thermal fuse or heating element if faulty.
  4. Gas — igniter Inspect and replace igniter if cracked or failed.
  5. Call a pro Gas smell—evacuate, call 911 or gas utility from outside. Gas valve work or repeated failures—call an appliance technician.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Dryer type (electric or gas)
  • Whether the drum turns
  • Whether the vent is blocked
  • Thermal fuse / heating element / igniter test results
  • Steps already tried

Does the drum turn but the air stays cold?

Run a timed dry cycle. Listen for the drum turning and feel the exhaust vent after two minutes. If the drum turns but no warmth, the heating system has failed.

Run a timed dry cycle. Listen for the drum turning and feel the exhaust vent or lint screen area after two minutes. Good: drum turns but air stays cold—heating fault. Bad: drum does not turn—different problem (motor, belt); call a technician.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Is power on and the vent clear?

Circuit breaker and vent blockage can prevent heat. Check both before opening the dryer.

Verify the dryer is plugged in and the circuit breaker has not tripped. Pull the dryer away from the wall, disconnect the vent hose, and check for lint buildup. Clean if blocked. Good: power on and vent clear. Bad: breaker keeps tripping or vent severely blocked—fix those first or call a pro.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Is the dryer electric or gas?

Electric dryers have a thick cord with four-prong or three-prong plug. Gas dryers have a gas line and standard 120-volt plug.

Check the connection behind the dryer. Electric: thick cord with four-prong or three-prong plug. Gas: gas line and standard plug. Good: you know the type. Bad: unsure—call a technician.

Electric Gas

You can change your answer later.

Does the thermal fuse have continuity?

The thermal fuse is a small white or silver cylinder, often near the exhaust duct. Test with a multimeter.

Unplug the dryer. Open the back or top panel per your model. Locate the thermal fuse near the exhaust duct. Test for continuity with a multimeter. No continuity: fuse blown—replace with exact match, reassemble, test. Continuity: fuse good—proceed to heating element.

Yes (good) No (blown)

You can change your answer later.

Replace thermal fuse and test

Replace the thermal fuse with an exact match (match the part number). Reassemble and run a cycle. The dryer should heat if the fuse was the only fault. If it still does not heat, proceed to check the heating element.

Done

Does the heating element have continuity?

The heating element is coiled wire inside a housing, usually behind the drum. Some models require drum removal to access.

Locate the heating element. Test for continuity. If no continuity or visible breaks, replace it. If behind the drum and you are not comfortable, call a technician. Good: replaced or element is good—check thermostats. Bad: all parts good but still no heat—call a technician.

Yes (good) No (broken)

You can change your answer later.

Replace heating element and test

Replace the heating element with a matching part. Reassemble and test. The dryer should heat. If thermostats may also be faulty, test them next.

Done

Do the thermostats have continuity?

Test the high-limit and cycling thermostat. A faulty one can prevent heat.

Test the high-limit and cycling thermostat for continuity. Replace any that fail. If all test good but the dryer still does not heat, call a technician.

Done

Is the igniter cracked or showing no continuity?

The igniter glows when the dryer calls for heat. A cracked or failed igniter prevents the burner from lighting.

Unplug the dryer and shut off the gas. Open the front or bottom panel. Locate the igniter. Inspect for cracks. Test for continuity if possible. Cracked or no continuity: replace igniter, restore power and gas, test. Good: igniter glows and flame lights. Bad: igniter glows but no flame—gas valve issue; call a technician. Do not work on gas valves yourself.

Yes No (glows but no flame)

You can change your answer later.

Replace igniter and test

Replace the igniter with a matching part. Restore power and gas. The igniter should glow and the burner should light. If the igniter glows but no flame appears, the gas valve has failed—call a technician.

Done

Call a technician

If you smell gas, evacuate immediately. Do not turn on lights or appliances. Call 911 or your gas utility from outside—do not call a technician for an active gas leak. Call an appliance technician if: the drum does not turn; the gas igniter glows but no flame (gas valve); you have replaced the thermal fuse and heating element and it still does not heat; or you are not comfortable working with electricity or gas. Never work on gas valves or gas lines yourself.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would a dryer run but not heat?
Electric dryers: a blown thermal fuse, failed heating element, or faulty thermostat. Gas dryers: a bad igniter or gas valve. A clogged vent can also reduce heat. Check power and vent first, then the heating components.
Can I fix a dryer that will not heat myself?
Yes, for electric dryers you can often replace the thermal fuse or heating element with basic tools. Gas dryers: you can inspect the igniter, but gas valve work requires a professional. Never work on gas lines yourself.
When should I call a technician for a dryer that will not heat?
If you smell gas, evacuate immediately and call 911 or your gas utility from outside—do not call a technician for an active leak. Call a technician if the dryer is gas and the igniter glows but no flame appears (gas valve), or if you have replaced the thermal fuse and heating element and it still does not heat. Gas valve repairs always need a pro.

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