Sears Home Services
Sears Home Advantage
appointment lookup logoAppointment Lookup
Repair
Home Warranty
Tune-Up & Maintain
MembershipShop Parts
Resources
Repair
Home Warranty
Tune-Up & Maintain
MembershipShop Parts
Resource Center
Glossary
Help
sears home advantageSears Home Advantage
appointment lookup logoAppointment Lookup
  1. Repair

Dryer will not heat up

Common reasons your dryer will not heat up

The most common reasons your dryer won't heat up are an open heating element, failed thermal cut-off fuse or a defective electronic control board.

  • 71%

    71% of the time it's the
    Heating Element

  • 4%

    4% of the time it's the
    Thermal Cut-off Fuse

  • 3%

    3% of the time it's the
    Electronic Control Board

  • 22%

    22% of the time it's the
    Something else

  • Schedule your dryer repair now!

    We can help! Our service technicians have repaired over 22.2M dryers. We can fix yours no matter where you bought it.

    Call (646) 440-2692 or schedule online now.
    Text (240) 616-1772 to schedule now.

    Common dryer repair parts you may need

    Replacing one of these dryer parts may fix your problem.

    Heating Element Replacement

    If your dryer fails to heat up, it might be due to an open heating element. In this context, "open" indicates that the heating element is damaged, resulting in a lack of electrical current flow needed to generate heat. Even without visible physical damage, an interior break in the element's continuity can lead to heating issues. When facing heating problems with your dryer, consider scheduling a visit from a Sears Home Services Technician for repair.


    How to replace a dryer heating element

    Thermal Cut-off Fuse Replacement

    If a thermal cut-off fuse fails, your dryer will lose its ability to generate heat. This fuse acts as a safety measure to prevent overheating, commonly triggered by a blocked exhaust vent system. Once the thermal cut-off fuse is triggered, it won't reset on its own. To resolve this issue, it's necessary to arrange for a Sears Home Services Technician to replace the blown fuse. The technician will investigate the root cause of the blown fuse and address any other underlying issues to ensure proper heating and operation of the dryer after the replacement.

    Electronic Control Board Replacement

    If your dryer fails to heat up, a malfunctioning control board might be to blame. This board is responsible for monitoring the temperature using a sensor and regulating the electrical current to the heating element or gas burner, ensuring the dryer reaches and maintains the desired drying temperature. When the dryer fails to heat up, it's possible that a relay on the electronic control board has malfunctioned. To address this issue, it's advisable to schedule a diagnostic and repair service with a Sears Home Services Technician to identify and rectify the heating failure.

    What to expect when you experience a dryer will not heat up issue

    How do I get a dryer won't heat up problem fixed?

    Addressing most issues where the dryer fails to heat typically entails replacing components such as the heating element, thermal cut-off fuse, or electronic control board. Nonetheless, given the various potential causes, conducting a comprehensive diagnosis is crucial for resolving the problem. An accurate diagnosis is necessary to determine the cost of the repair.

    Sears Home Services advice for a dryer that won't heat up

    When the dryer fails to heat up, numerous factors could be at play. To prevent unnecessary part replacements, we suggest having a Sears Home Services expert conduct diagnostic tests to pinpoint the underlying issue. Our technicians possess extensive experience in diagnosing various dryer malfunctions.

    What to consider with a dryer won't heat up diagnosis

    Understanding and diagnosing contemporary appliances without adequate expertise and training can prove challenging. Attempting repairs without employing appropriate diagnostic methods often leads to guesswork-based part replacements. Over the past decade, appliances have evolved significantly, incorporating complex electronic components that pose testing challenges. Consequently, do-it-yourself repairs on modern appliance models are progressively more intricate.

    What our customers say about us

    With more than 1.3 Million 5 Star Reviews, you don't have to take our word for it

    Excellent service from Daniel

    Daniel provided excellent service and was very quick to perform the repair. I have nothing good to say about the warranty program and the LACK of customer service and the inability to contact a human being to talk.


    Tammy M, Hilton, NY

    Satisfied customer

    Excellent technician Very thorough and detail oriented Would be happy to have him work on appliances again He managed to find our ranch headquarters in the middle of the desert


    Rose W, Las Cruces, NM

    Dryer service

    He was professional and polite. I didn't call back later that afternoon, although he replaced a thermostat the smart dry timer doesn't work as I was still having the same issue. The lady said she would email him and have him return. Never heard from anyone else.


    Terry F, Oklahoma City, OK

    Repair Dryer Resources

    Title image for blog article "How to Remove Ink from a Dryer".
    5 min readJan. 22

    Get expert tips on how to remove ink from a dryer drum from Sears Home Services.

    Clothes dryer won't dry clothes image
    5 min readJan. 16

    Discover the reasons why your dryer is not drying and get expert troubleshooting tips to fix common drying problems.

    Title image for blog article "My Dryer Is Making a Loud Noise. When Should I Panic?"
    9 min readJan. 16

    Learn how to fix a dryer making grinding noise or other loud noises using our expert DIY tips.

    Title image for blog article "Dryer Timer Not Working? Confirm It and Fix It"
    7 min readJan. 16

    Learn how to fix a timer on a dryer when the dryer won’t turn off or the timer dial doesn’t advance.

    Glossary Terms

    Natural gas is a fossil fuel used primarily for heating, cooking, and electricity generation. It's a hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting mainly of methane, but it also contains smaller amounts of other hydrocarbons and sometimes sulfur compounds.

    A gas dryer is a laundry appliance that uses natural gas or propane to generate heat to dry clothes.

    A dual inverter air conditioner incorporates advanced inverter technology with two rotary compressors, providing ultra-efficient cooling with minimal noise and energy consumption. This innovation offers a significant leap in air conditioning technology, providing precise temperature control and longer-lasting performance.

    A ductless air conditioner, often referred to as a mini-split, is a highly efficient cooling system that operates without the need for extensive ductwork, making it ideal for space-specific cooling and homes without existing ducts.

    Common dryer symptoms to look out for