Tumble Dryer That’s Not Heating
If your tumble dryer is not heating up, it can turn a simple task like doing your laundry into a puzzle of figuring out what is going wrong. There are several reasons why this could be happening, and this guide will walk you through the steps to identify and fix the issue. Remember, if you’re not comfortable performing any of these steps, it’s always best to call a professional.
If you need to test an electrical component when making your repairs, more often than not, you will need a multimeter. You can pick one up over on Amazon https://amzn.to/46GUUzp
1. Faulty Heating Element
The heating element is a coil of heating wire enclosed in a metal chamber. Electric current flowing through the coil creates heat, and the air being pulled through the chamber absorbs this heat. If the element is defective, then it will not heat.
How to Test and Replace a Heating Element:
- Disconnect your dryer from the power source and locate the heating element. Depending on your model, you may need to open your dryer’s cabinet to access the heating element.
- Remove the heating element from the dryer and visually inspect it for signs of damage or burning.
- Set your multimeter to the Rx1 setting and touch the probes to element terminals to test for continuity. If you receive a reading of infinity, you need a replacement heating element.
2. Broken High Limit Thermostat
The high-limit thermostat is a safety device mounted on the heating chamber and is designed to prevent the dryer from overheating when the exhaust vent is restricted. A restricted vent will cause the high-limit thermostat to trip or activate, interrupting the circuit to the heating element or gas valve. The high-limit thermostat is not designed to activate repeatedly like a cycling thermostat and will eventually fail causing a no heat symptom.
How to Test and Replace a High-Limit Thermostat:
- Unplug your dryer and open your dryer’s cabinet to locate the high-limit thermostat. It will be found somewhere in the path of air leaving the drum, often on the blower wheel housing or inside the exhaust system.
- Carefully remove the thermostat from the dryer to test it.
- With your multimeter on the Rx1 setting, test for continuity by touching the probes to each terminal. You should receive a reading of zero or infinity. If your test does not produce either of those readings, you need a replacement high-limit thermostat.
3. Defective Cycling Thermostat
Cycling thermostats control the temperature inside the dryer drum. They are designed to “cycle” the heating element on and off to maintain the correct amount of heat. Cycling thermostats are normally located on the blower housing or elsewhere in the internal airflow ducting. Over time, the cycling thermostat can become defective.
How to Test and Replace a Cycling Thermostat:
- After disconnecting your dryer from the power source, locate your cycling thermostat. It is often found on the blower housing or elsewhere in the internal airflow ducting. You will need to open your dryer’s cabinet to locate it.
- Using pliers to gently pull on the metal connectors and not the wires, remove the cycling thermostat.
- Set your multimeter to the Rx1 setting.
- Touch the probes to the thermostat’s terminals. You are testing for continuity and should receive a reading of infinity or zero. If your reading is anything other than infinity or zero, you need a replacement cycling thermostat.
4. Malfunctioning Temperature Sensor
Temperature sensors are devices that change resistance depending on the temperature. The internal temperature of gas and electric dryers is managed by cycling thermostats on most dryers and by temperature sensors on some electronically controlled dryers. Depending on the dryer it may use multiple sensors to regulate the temperature.
How to Check and Replace a Temperature Sensor:
- Disconnect your dryer from the power source.
- Open your dryer’s cabinet in order to locate the temperature sensor(s). It will be found somewhere along the path of airflow from the drum.
- Carefully remove the temperature sensor and allow it to rest to ensure it is at room temperature, as you need to test the resistance at room temperature.
- Using a multimeter on the Rx1 setting, touch the probes to the terminals. If you receive a reading of anything other than zero, you need a replacement temperature sensor(s).
5. Blown Thermal Fuse
The thermal fuse is designed to prevent the dryer from overheating. Once a dryer’s thermal fuse has blown, it is no longer of any use. If your dryer’s fuse is blown, you will have to replace it.
How to Test and Replace a Thermal Fuse:
- Unplug your dryer and remove the back panel to access the thermal fuse(s).
- Remove the thermal fuse(s) from the dryer to test it. It is usually found on the heating element and/or blower housing.
- Using a multimeter on the Rx1 setting, touch the terminals with the probes to test for continuity.
- If you receive a reading other than zero or infinity, there is no continuity and you need a replacement thermal fuse(s).
6. Broken Timer
Located in the control console of the dryer the timer consists of a small motor connected to a series of gears that rotate cams, which turn electric contacts off and on inside the timer. The timer contacts control the dryer motor as well as the heat circuit. A defect in the timer’s electrical contacts can cause the dryer to stop producing heat and the timer will need to be replaced.
How to Test and Replace a Timer:
- After unplugging your dryer, remove the control console in order to locate the timer. Depending on your model, you may be able to remove it at this stage, but on some models, you will also need to remove the rear panel.
- After removing the timer from your dryer, use a multi-meter on the Rx1 setting to test for continuity by placing the probes on the timer’s terminals.
- If you receive a reading of anything other than 2000-3000 ohms of resistance, you need a replacement timer.
Remember, if you’re not comfortable performing any of these steps, it’s always best to call a professional. If you need any further assistance, feel free to contact us.
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