The washer and dryer are two of the most commonly used appliances, which means they can be taken for granted.
However, if they begin to have problems, your entire weekly routine can be thrown for a loop. Dryer issues seemingly happen overnight. With little to no warning, you can find your dryer not heating.
What are you supposed to do? Scrape your change together for laundromat? Buy a new unit?
Not yet. Before you make any snap decisions, there are a few troubleshooting steps to fix a broken dryer.
1. Power Issues
Let’s start with the simplest reason for a dyer not working. If your dryer isn’t heating, it could be a power supply issue.
If this is the case, the dryer will not only not heat, but might not even power up. Here is where you should start.
Wall Outlet
First, double-check the dryer is still plugged in. Sometimes, the jostling of a dryer cycle can pull the plug out of the wall outlet. This is the easiest fix.
The other possibility is the outlet has gone bad. Most dryers run on a 240-volt outlet, so you may not have anything else in the house to plug in. Use an electrical tester on the wall; the outlet may be faulty.
Circuit
The next step is to check the circuit breaker. Dryers need two 120-volt breakers to run, which is pulling a lot of electricity. Check the box to see if any breakers have flipped.
It this is a continuous problem, you may have an overloaded circuit.
2. Ventilation Problems
Ventilation is the next step in the troubleshooting process. If the dryer cannot breathe, it won’t heat up. There are two places to check the ventilation.
Exhaust
Locate the exhaust pipe for your dryer; this is usually outside the house near the dryer. Often, the exhaust clogs from lint buildup.
Feel inside the vent for a clog. Pull out the balled up lint and debris from the exhaust and discard.
Lint Trap
The lint trap is a part of the dryer that is overlooked.
Pull the screen out of its slot. Clean off any lint that has accumulated in the trap; this will give your dyer more room to breathe. A blocked trap will keep the dryer from heating up.
3. Oversized Loads
If the dryer runs through its cycle and still doesn’t remove the moisture, it might be the size of your laundry load. The dryer does not have the power to completely dry massive amounts of wet clothing.
Try cutting halving your load size for a dryer cycle. This will help the dryer reach its temperature. Check the owner’s manual for the recommended load size.
Of course, these troubleshooting ideas might not work. You may need to upgrade your unit.
If you think this is the case, check out these pros and cons of the different machine styles. Think about your laundry room and choose accordingly.
Solving a Dryer Not Heating
Hopefully, this guide can help solve the problems with your dryer not heating. Remember, these can reoccur over time. Check on these troubleshooting ideas a few times a year to keep your appliance working.
Most appliances in the house have simple fixes if they are not working. If you found this guide helpful, check our blog for more home improvement tips.
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