GE dryer won't heat up

What to expect when you experience a GE dryer won't heat up issue

How is the won't heat up problem fixed?

Correcting most won't heat up problems usually involves replacing the heating element, thermal cut-off fuse or electronic control board. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.

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

When the dryer won't heat up it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of dryer failures.

What to look out for with a dryer won't heat up diagnosis

Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your dryer problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.

When you need professional GE dryer repair to fix a problem, schedule an appointment with Sears Home Services.

Troubleshooting a New GE Dryer Not Heating

A new GE dryer not heating is an rare occurrence. If the dryer is a gas model, check to make sure that the installer turned on the gas supply. If you find the gas supply cut-off valve shut, open it and the dryer should heat up and dry properly.

If you have new GE electric dryer not heating, check the house circuit breakers for the dryer. The dryer will run if one circuit breaker is on but the 2nd circuit breaker for the heater circuit is tripped. Reset both dryer circuit breakers and the new dryer may begin heating.

Check the exhaust vent duct system for your dryer. Make sure the flexible vent hose behind the dryer is not kinked. A kinked exhaust vent hose can blow the thermal fuse in a gas dryer and it won’t heat.

Check for lint clogs in the exhaust vent duct system going to the outside of your home. Make sure the damper on the vent cover at the outside of your home opens properly so exhaust air exits the dryer vent properly. This will prevent the dryer from blowing a thermal cut-off fuse or thermal fuse which will prevent it from heating.

Check the settings on your dryer to make sure that you have the dryer set on a heated cycle. Look for deposits or debris on the moisture sensors of the dryer that would interfere with moisture detection and cause the dryer to stop heating and end the cycle before clothes is actually dry.

Following these troubleshooting steps can help you avoid an unnecessary service call on a new GE dryer not heating. If these tips don’t help, schedule dryer repair service and have a service technician diagnose and fix the dryer heating problem.

How to Fix a GE Dryer Not Getting Hot

For a gas GE dryer not getting hot, check the gas supply cut-off valve to make sure it is fully open. Open the cut-off valve if you find it shut. Restoring the gas supply to your dryer may fix the heating issue.

Another cause of a gas GE dryer not getting hot is weak gas valve coils. The gas dryer may initially heat when you first start it up but won’t continue to heat when the gas valve coils are weak. They can open the gas valve to ignite the burner when they’re cold but as they heat up, they’re unable to open the gas valve during the rest of the drying cycle. Have a service technician replace the gas valve coils if they’re weak.

Other causes of a gas GE dryer not getting hot include a failed flame sensor, blown thermal fuse, bad operating thermostat, faulty high-limit thermostat, blown thermal cut-off fuse, bad timer or faulty electronic control board. If you’re unable to find the cause of the problem and fix the GE gas dryer yourself, schedule a Sears Home Services technician to visit your home and fix the dryer.

If you have an electric GE dryer not getting hot, check the heating element and replace it if damaged. A bad operating thermostat, blown thermal cut-off fuse, faulty high-limit thermostat, bad timer or faulty electronic control boards are additional issues you may face with your electric GE dryer not getting hot. Schedule dryer repair service to have our technician fix your dryer if you’re unable to find and repair the cause of the heating problem yourself.

GE Dryer Won’t Heat Troubleshooting

When your GE dryer won’t heat and you have an electric model, check the house circuit breakers for the dryer. The dryer motor will run if only 120 volts of power is supplied to the dryer. If the 2nd leg of 120 volt power that supplies the heating circuit is missing, your GE dryer won’t heat. Reset both circuit breakers for your dryer and then see if it heats.

If you have a gas GE dryer that won’t heat, make sure that the gas supply cut-off valve for the dryer is open. Open that valve if you find it shut and your gas dryer should heat.

Additional problems that can prevent an electric GE dryer from heating include faulty thermostats or thermistors (temperature sensors), broken heating element, bad electronic control board or timer and a wiring failure.

Problems that can prevent a GE gas dryer from heating include bad gas valve coils, faulty flame sensor, bad thermostats or thermistors, electronic control board or timer failure and faulty or disconnected wiring in the heating circuit.

Having a service technician diagnose and repair your GE dryer that won’t heat is important. The technician will safely determine the cause of the heating failure and fix the problem. Schedule dryer repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to repair your dryer so it heats properly.
A GE dryer that won’t generate heat leads to prolonged, inefficient cycles. Faulty elements or thermostats are usual suspects. Don’t waste more time with lukewarm tumbling—contact dryer repair. Once the heat returns, clothes dry faster and you save energy.