Dryer Not Heating
Usually airflow, a breaker or a failed heating part.
By Jonathan West · reviewed 2026-10-14 ·how we research these
A dryer that runs but does not heat usually has a clogged vent or lint filter, a partly tripped breaker, a blown thermal fuse or failed heating element, or, on an electric dryer, one half of the 240-volt supply missing. Gas dryers add a closed gas shutoff valve, a fault on the burner side, and an empty liquefied petroleum gas (LP) tank.
The steps that need a licensed technician or electrician come last.
Why a Dryer Runs but Does Not Heat
An electric dryer runs the drum motor and the heating element on separate circuits, so the drum can turn with no heat. Whirlpool says an electric dryer needs a separate 30-amp circuit fused on both sides of the line, and that two breakers run it, one for the motor and one for the heating element. If one is tripped, the dryer may not heat.
On a gas dryer, the drum still turns when the gas shutoff valve is closed, but the dryer will not heat.
The causes below run in the order to work through them, starting with the DIY-safe steps and ending with the parts that need a licensed technician.
- Airflow: the lint filter, the vent, and the space around the dryer.
- Cycle setting: a heated dry cycle, not Air Fluff or cool down.
- Breaker: both poles, and the 240-volt supply behind them.
- Gas shutoff valve: the handle position, on gas dryers only.
- Heating element, thermal fuse, and terminal wiring: parts that need a technician.
Check the Easy Things First
Start with the lint filter. Samsung's US support page says a clogged lint filter means the dryer will not heat well, and it advises cleaning the filter before or after every cycle. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) gives the same timing for each load.
Next is the vent. NFPA advises cleaning lint out of the vent pipe once a year, or more often if drying takes longer than normal, and says the outdoor vent flap should open when the dryer runs. Whirlpool says the vent from the dryer to outside must be cleaned every one to two years or as needed.
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) said in a 2012 report on 2008 to 2010 data that heavy clothes such as jeans or towels that take a long time to dry, or clothes that feel hotter than usual at the end of the cycle, likely point to a clogged dryer vent exhaust. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) safety alert 'Overheated Clothes Dryers Can Cause Fires' advises cleaning the dryer vent, exhaust duct and lint screen periodically.
Restricted airflow causes overheating. Samsung's UAE support page says a dirty lint filter obstructs airflow and reduces heating performance, and that the exhaust vent should not be blocked.
Keep the space around the dryer open. GE's gas guidance says to keep the front of the dryer unblocked because proper air flow is needed. Frigidaire says gas dryers need space around them for ventilation to support the burner, and that laundry and rugs should not be stacked against the front or back.
Next is the cycle. Whirlpool says the Air Only, or Air/Fluff Only, cycle does not add heat at any time during the cycle. Frigidaire says an Air Fluff cycle or a no-heat temperature setting makes the dryer tumble without heat. GE's electric dryer guidance says the cycle should be a dry cycle rather than fluff or cool down. Samsung's US page says Eco Dry intentionally reduces heat output to save energy, so lower heat on that setting is by design.
Run the empty-dryer test that Whirlpool describes. Set a heated timed cycle, run it for five minutes with nothing in the drum, then open the door and feel for heat. The result shows whether the dryer produced heat during that run.
Next is the breaker. Samsung's US page says a tripped breaker can stop one heating circuit, and it advises turning the breaker off for 30 seconds, then on, if there is no heat. GE says a breaker can be partially tripped even when it does not look tripped, and suggests switching it off and back on, then seeing whether the dryer heats. The installation instructions list the correct breaker or fuse amperage for the model, according to GE.
Electric Dryer Causes
An electric dryer needs a 240-volt supply. GE says a dryer may run on partial 120 volts but will not heat unless it has a 208V/240V supply, which should come from a separate dedicated outlet. Frigidaire says an electric dryer has two house circuits or fuses, and if one is tripped or blown, the drum may turn while the heater does not operate. Frigidaire says to reset the breaker or replace the house fuse.
The supply voltage is an electrician's job. Frigidaire says a qualified electrician should verify the supply voltage is correct at 240 V, and Whirlpool says to consult a qualified electrician about the supply.
Whirlpool also says the power cord should be installed correctly per the installation instructions, and that the terminal screws at the dryer should be tightened. Unplug the dryer before touching those screws. GE lists burned, broken, frayed or loose wire connections at the rear terminal block as possible causes, and says that if wires or terminals are damaged, replacing both is necessary.
Bosch names three possible causes for a no-heat dryer: the heating element, a faulty thermal fuse, and a defective timer motor. The Bosch page says only a Bosch expert can determine the source, and it gives no self-checks. Samsung's UAE page says a blown thermal fuse can prevent heating and requires professional repair.
A thermal fuse is a one-time safety device that cuts heat when overheating occurs.
No maker publishes a heating-element or thermal-fuse test for homeowners, so no meter steps are given.
Gas Dryer Causes
A gas dryer needs its shutoff valve open. Whirlpool says the valve is open when its handle is parallel to the gas pipe, and that the drum will turn but the dryer will not heat if the valve is closed. Of the gas-side checks, reading the valve handle is the one the sources treat as a homeowner step.
Frigidaire says to be sure the gas supply valve is open. If an LP tank is empty, Frigidaire says to refill or replace it, and an LP supplier should do that work. If the natural gas supply was interrupted, Frigidaire says to call the gas company. GE says that for a new installation, the gas line must be turned on, and that if it is on and the dryer still does not heat, the owner should contact service.
NFPA advises that gas dryers be inspected by a qualified professional to make sure the gas line and connection are intact and free of leaks, and that the dryer be installed and serviced by a professional.
The igniter and the gas valve are the other gas-side suspects. GE's gas page says it does not discuss the gas valve or igniter.
If you smell gas, leave the building and call the gas utility from outside. Do not troubleshoot the gas side of the dryer first.
Match the Symptom to the Cause
The table narrows the possibilities. It cannot identify which part has failed in your dryer.
| Symptom | Cause named in the sources | Who acts |
|---|---|---|
| Drum turns, no heat, breaker looks normal | Partly tripped breaker pole | DIY: reset both poles |
| No heat on Air Fluff or a no-heat setting | Cycle selected | DIY: choose a heated dry cycle |
| Heavy items dry slowly, clothes hot at end of cycle | Clogged vent or lint | DIY: clean the filter and vent |
| Vent flap stays closed while the dryer runs | Not published | DIY: clean the vent, or hire a lint removal service |
| Electric dryer, drum turns, no heat after breaker reset | Only half the 240-volt supply reaching the dryer, or a blown house fuse | Electrician |
| Electric dryer, no heat after the DIY steps | Blown thermal fuse or failed heating element | Technician |
| Gas dryer, drum turns, no heat, valve closed | Gas shutoff valve closed | DIY: turn the handle parallel to the pipe |
| Gas dryer, no heat, gas line on | Not published | Technician |
| Gas dryer, no heat, LP tank empty | Empty LP tank (have the LP supplier refill or replace it) | Not published |
| Gas odor | Possible gas leak | Leave and call the gas utility |
What You Can Do Safely
Unplug the dryer before opening it or touching any terminal screw. Whirlpool says to unplug before tightening terminal screws, and GE says to unplug an appliance before maintenance or cleaning to minimize the chance of electric shock.
The homeowner steps the sources describe are the ones below. Each one is a cleaning, a reset, a setting, or a handle position.
- Clean the lint filter before or after each load (NFPA).
- Clean lint out of the vent pipe, or have a lint removal service do it (NFPA).
- Reset both breaker poles by turning them off for 30 seconds, then on (Samsung).
- Select a heated dry cycle rather than Air Fluff or cool down (GE, Frigidaire).
- Run the five-minute empty heat test on a heated timed cycle (Whirlpool).
- Turn the gas valve handle until it sits parallel to the gas pipe (Whirlpool).
Unplug the dryer before you open it or check its terminal screws. GE gives this as the step to take before maintenance to minimize shock risk.
When to Call a Technician
Call a licensed electrician for anything about the 240-volt supply. Frigidaire says a qualified electrician should verify the supply voltage is correct at 240 V, and that is the route the sources name for supply questions.
Call a licensed technician for burned, broken, frayed or loose wire connections at the rear terminal block, and for a blown thermal fuse, which Samsung says requires professional repair.
Call service when the basic steps do not fix the no-heat fault. LG says a technician visit may be required if the steps are completed and the issue persists. GE says service may be needed if the suggestions do not fix it.
For gas, NFPA recommends a qualified professional inspect the gas line and connection for leaks. If the natural gas supply was interrupted, Frigidaire says to call the gas company.
Start with the lint filter and the vent, run the five-minute empty heat test on a heated cycle, and call a technician if the dryer still does not heat.
Common questions
Why is my dryer running but has no heat?
An electric dryer runs the drum motor and the heating element on separate circuits, so the drum can turn with no heat. The first causes to work through are airflow, the cycle setting, and both breaker poles, and a gas dryer also needs its shutoff valve open.
How can you tell if the heating element in a dryer is bad?
The sources compiled for the page give no test for the heating element and publish no resistance or continuity reading. Bosch says only a Bosch expert can determine the source of a no-heat fault and gives no self-checks.
Can I still use my dryer if the heating element is not working?
No maker says whether running it is safe, so stop using it if it smells hot or burnt, and have a licensed appliance technician look at it. GE and LG both say service may be needed.
Is it worth it to replace a heating element in a dryer?
The sources compiled for the page publish no repair cost and no repair-versus-replace comparison, so the page gives no answer on value.
How much does it usually cost to replace a heating element in a dryer?
No maker publishes a repair cost. Ask a licensed appliance technician for a quote.