Instead of dry laundry, you got damp and wet clothes? Of course, this is annoying. If your dryer is not heating, this is a good reason to seek professional help. Actually, this is one of the most common issues. Here you need to find out the cause and solve it as soon as possible. Remember that timely intervention will save you time and money on repairs. So, keep reading to learn more. 

How a Dryer Heating System Works

Firstly, it is necessary to understand how a dryer works and why it is so important to follow the instructions. In fact, there are three components: heat, movement, and airflow. The motor rotates the drum, the fan creates draft, and the heating element raises the air temperature. Meanwhile, in electric models, this is done by a coil, and in gas models, by a burner. This means that any malfunction in this chain creates the conditions for the dryer not getting hot. Then we notice that the clothes remain wet. 

Most Common Reasons a Dryer Is Not Heating

In reality, this device doesn’t work for a lot of different reasons. However, you need to describe these symptoms correctly in order to get advice. We have grouped all possible faults into four categories. When you visit a service center, we hope this will be helpful. So, let’s get started!

Heating Element Failure

If an electric dryer doesn’t heat up, it’s clear that the heating element has died. In general, frequent heating and cooling cycles cause the nichrome coil to wear out. Over time, this leads to cracks, and eventually the circuit breaks. Using a multimeter, specialists can detect dryer heating element failure with high accuracy. 

Thermal Fuse or Thermostat Issues

In truth, the thermal fuse is the most vulnerable component. If the appliance overheats, then the dryer thermal fuse blows. Meanwhile, power to the heater is instantly cut off to prevent a fire. In the case of a dryer thermostat issue, the temperature may be read incorrectly, causing the system to shut off the heating prematurely. 

Gas Igniter or Burner Problems

When a gas dryer is not heating, the cause is definitely in the ignition system. As a rule, the most common problem is with the dryer igniter: it glows but does not ignite the gas or does not respond at all. In this case, the electromagnetic valve coils may be faulty and not opening the gas supply.

Airflow and Vent Blockages

Honestly, even a working heater does not guarantee that there will be no issues. When the dryer is not drying clothes properly, the reason is hidden in the ventilation ducts clogged with lint. In this case, hot and humid air cannot escape. Then the overheating sensors are triggered, which shut down the system. 

What You Can Check Safely at Home

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do yourself to determine if it’s a serious cause. This will help you find more obvious flaws and fix them. Of course, advice from YouTube can be helpful. In fact, before calling a repairman, follow these simple steps:

• Check the circuit breakers. Electric dryers use two power lines. If one of them is out of order, the drum will spin, but there will be no heating;

• Clean the lint filter. This will improve air circulation;

• Inspect the external vent. The valve on the outside should open and be free of debris;

• Settings. Note that there are several modes. In particular, these are “Air Fluff” and “Cool Down.” In these modes, heating does not occur.

When a Dryer Heating Issue Requires Professional Repair

There are cases when simple checks do not yield any results. This is a reason for diagnostics. Those technical tricks, such as replacing internal components or working with gas lines, require special tools and skills. It should be noted that professional dryer repair in Chicago will ensure quick troubleshooting and guarantee reliability. Our specialists use only original spare parts. This allows us to determine whether the malfunction is in the control board or in a specific sensor. 

Why Accurate Diagnosis Prevents Repeat Failures

In fact, simple manipulations such as replacing a fuse are only a temporary solution. Without diagnostics, it is impossible to determine the causes, and all measures will be ineffective. That is, acting blindly is not an option. Quality diagnostics is the direct path to resolving issues. For instance, seemingly innocuous issues may be caused by a clogged air duct or a broken thermostat. Otherwise, a comprehensive approach ensures that the situation where the dryer does not heat up will not repeat itself the next day. Proper maintenance extends the service life of your equipment for years.