“Why is my dryer not heating?” — this is one of the most common questions we hear from our customers when their dryer stops working. But is the dryer really broken? Or could something else be the cause? Let’s go over the most common reasons why your dryer might not be heating — and how to fix them. Read more about our dryer repair:
Reasons Why the Dryer Won’t Heat
- The Heating Element Is Burnt Out
- Thermal Fuse Is Blown
- High-Limit Thermostat Failure
- Power Supply Issues
- Faulty Control Board
- Could It Be the Faulty Motor?
The Heating Element Is Burnt Out – №1
The heating element is a crucial component in electric dryers, responsible for generating the heat needed to dry your clothes. Over time, it can wear out due to repeated heating and cooling cycles, leading to a complete failure. If your dryer is running but not producing any heat, a burnt-out heating element could be the cause.
Solution
Use a multimeter and set it to measure resistance (Ohms). A working heating element should show 10–20 Ohms. If there’s no reading at all, the heating element is bad and needs to be replaced. If you don’t have a multimeter or are unsure about performing the repair yourself, it’s best to call a technician.
Replacement cost: from $230
Thermal Fuse Is Blown – №2
The thermal fuse is a small safety device located near the heating element. If the dryer overheats, the fuse blows and cuts off the heat.
Solution
A professional technician will diagnose your dryer issue by testing the thermal fuse for continuity using a multimeter. If the fuse is faulty, it should be replaced with a high-quality part to restore proper operation. Additionally, the technician should inspect the dryer vent for any blockages that may cause overheating and lead to future breakdowns.
Replacement cost: from $250
High-Limit Thermostat Failure – №3
The high-limit thermostat protects the dryer from extreme temperatures. If it malfunctions, it may stop the heating element from turning on.
Solution
In this case, a multimeter should also be used to test continuity. No continuity means the thermostat is bad and should be replaced.
Replacement cost: from $300
Power Supply Issues – №4
Electric dryers require 240 volts. If your dryer is only getting 120 volts, it might run the drum and lights, but the heating element won’t work.
Solution
Use a multimeter to test your outlet or call a professional repairman for a diagnosis. You should get two 120V readings and one 240V reading across the two hot wires. If you don’t get 240V, contact a licensed electrician — the problem may lie with your circuit breaker, power line, or wall outlet.
Diagnosis cost: from $100
Faulty Control Board – №5
If everything else checks out but your dryer is still not heating, the control board might be the problem. On brands like Samsung, LG, or Whirlpool, the relay on the main board can fail.
Solution
The diagnosis and repair should be done by a professional who can read the wiring diagram and test if the board is sending power to the heating element.
Diagnosis and repair cost: from $270
Could It Be the Faulty Motor? – №6
Yes, even if your motor is spinning fine, it might still be the reason your dryer isn’t heating. Some motors have a centrifugal switch that engages the heating circuit once the motor starts spinning. If that switch fails, the heating element won’t turn on.
Solution
Only a technician can safely test this during operation.
Diagnosis and repair cost: from $300
Don’t Forget About the Eco Mode
Many modern dryers come with an Eco Mode that runs the dryer for 30–40 minutes without heat to save energy. If this mode is on, your dryer may seem like it’s not heating — but it’s working as designed.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many possible reasons why your dryer is not heating. And the more advanced your dryer is, the harder it can be to diagnose the issue on your own. That’s why we recommend calling a professional. It’ll save you time, money, and frustration — especially if you want to avoid replacing the wrong parts.
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I’m an appliance repair technician based in Houston, Texas. Here, I share my hands-on experience and insights. Hope you find my articles helpful! Feel free to drop a comment or share your thoughts—I’d be happy to chat!
4 Comments
My dryer heats up sometimes but then stops in the middle of a cycle. It seems inconsistent, which makes me think it’s a control board issue. Is there a way to test the board before replacing it, or is this something only a technician can diagnose?
Hi Robert, great question!
When a dryer heats up inconsistently and shuts off mid-cycle, it can indeed point to a faulty control board — but not always. Other possible causes include:
• A weak thermistor or high-limit thermostat
• A failing heating element with intermittent contact
• Blocked venting, causing overheating and auto shut-off
Testing the control board requires checking voltage output to the heating element and sensors during a live cycle, which can be tricky without proper tools and safety training.
If you’d like, we can perform a full diagnostic and rule out all common causes before replacing anything. That way, you avoid unnecessary part costs.
Let us know if you’d like to schedule a visit — we’d be happy to help!
I replaced the heating element in my dryer last year, and now it’s not heating again. Is this a sign of another issue, like a faulty control board or thermostat? I don’t want to keep replacing parts without fixing the root cause.
Great question , Robert — and you’re absolutely right to think
about the root cause.
If the heating element failed again within a year, it could be due to:
• A faulty thermostat or high-limit fuse that didn’t shut off power when it should
• Blocked airflow (clogged vent, lint buildup) causing the element to overheat
• A stuck relay on the control board sending constant power to the element
• Or incorrect voltage from the outlet
We recommend checking the airflow first — that’s the most common hidden cause. Then test the thermostats with a multimeter. If everything checks out, the control board may be the culprit.
Let us know your dryer model and we can guide you step by step, or we’d be happy to diagnose it for you!