Dryer Not Heating? 7 Causes and How to Fix Each One

Dryer tumbles but won't heat? Here are the 7 real causes — thermal fuse, heating element, igniter, thermostat, clogged vent and more — with step-by-step fixes for electric and gas dryers.

Dryer not heating is the classic dryer failure — the drum runs and tumbles, but the clothes come out cold and wet. It’s also one of the most DIY-friendly fixes in appliance repair. Here’s the checklist, most common first.

⚠️ Safety first

Unplug the dryer (and shut off the gas supply if it’s a gas model) before opening anything. A clogged dryer vent is a fire hazard — if you haven’t cleaned it in years, do that first, no matter what else you find.

1. Clogged lint screen or vent (the free check)

Poor airflow makes the dryer overheat, which then blows the thermal fuse — the #1 cause of “tumbles but no heat.” Even if the fix below is the fuse, a clogged vent will just blow the new one. Fix: clean the lint screen with soap and water (residue blocks airflow), and check the vent run — it should be rigid metal, short, and clear.

2. Blown thermal fuse (the most common actual fix)

The thermal fuse is a safety device that cuts heat when the dryer overheats. When it blows, the dryer tumbles but won’t heat. It’s on the blower housing or exhaust duct, usually white with two wires. Fix: unplug, test with a multimeter — no continuity = blown. Replace it ($10–$20) and fix the airflow problem that blew it. This fixes a huge percentage of no-heat dryers.

3. Broken heating element (electric dryers)

The heating element is a coiled wire inside the heater box. Over years, it develops hot spots and breaks — you may see a visible break or a burned spot through the housing. Fix: test with a multimeter (should read continuity; also test each terminal to the case — should read open, meaning no short to ground). Replace if broken — $30–$60 and a straightforward swap.

4. Gas dryer: igniter not lighting

On gas dryers, the igniter glows red-hot to light the burner. If it glows but no flame follows, the igniter is weak or the flame sensor / gas valve coils have failed. Fix: watch the igniter during a heat cycle — if it glows and the burner never lights, test the igniter (resistance) and the gas valve coils (continuity). All are $15–$40 parts.

5. Failed thermostat or high-limit thermostat

The dryer has several thermostats that regulate heat. A failed one can stop heating or cause overheating. They’re cheap ($10–$20) and test like fuses: continuity check at room temperature.

6. Cycling thermostat / timer issues (older dryers)

On older electric dryers, a failing timer or cycling thermostat can stop heat mid-cycle. Test the thermostat first; the timer is pricier — diagnose before replacing.

7. The error-code route

Modern dryers (Samsung, LG, Whirlpool) may display codes for heating faults — LG shows 9A5 (gas valve/heat issue) for example. See our LG washer error codes guide family for the code lists — and note that on LG dryers, 9A5 often points at the gas valve coils or the heat circuit.

The “tumbles but no heat” order of operations

Clean the lint screen & vent (free, and mandatory)
Test & replace the thermal fuse ($10–$20)
Test the heating element (electric) or igniter/coils (gas)
Test the thermostats
Test the timer (older models)

Parts & tools you’ll need

Thermal fuse (match your model)
Heating element (electric)
Igniter + gas valve coils (gas)
Multimeter
Lint brush / vent cleaning kit

FAQ

Q: Dryer runs but no heat — is it the fuse or the element? A: Test both — they’re the two most common causes. The fuse is cheaper and fails first; the element breaks from age. Both are cheap DIY fixes.

Q: Why does my dryer blow the thermal fuse repeatedly? A: Airflow. A clogged vent or lint screen causes overheating that keeps killing the fuse. Fix the airflow or you’ll keep replacing fuses.

Q: Gas dryer not heating — igniter glows but no flame? A: The igniter is likely weak, or the flame sensor / gas valve coils have failed. All three are inexpensive parts.

Always unplug electric dryers and shut off gas before servicing. Clogged vents cause fires — keep yours clean. When in doubt, call a licensed tech.