Why is my dryer not drying? What the makers say to check

Updated October 2, 2026 · Every figure checked twice against its source · How we verify

When a dryer is not drying, several makers' own troubleshooting pages point first to airflow: Whirlpool and Maytag put the lint screen first, then a crushed or wrong-material vent hose and its installation, then the vent system to the outside, and LG says long dry times or poor heating are likely due to a blockage to the dryer's airflow. If the drum turns but there is no heat at all, Whirlpool, Maytag, Samsung and Electrolux point to a tripped circuit breaker on an electric dryer or a closed gas valve on a gas dryer. For a failed heating element or a blown thermal fuse, Whirlpool and Maytag recommend contacting a professional.

Why is my dryer not drying?

Whirlpool says improper airflow can lead to improper drying, longer than expected drying times or damp loads at the end of a cycle. Its four reasons and Maytag's four steps run in the same order:

1. Clean the lint screen. Whirlpool recommends cleaning it before every dryer load: pull the lint toward you with your fingers, and if detergent or fabric softener residue builds up, gently scrub both sides with a nylon brush, hot water and liquid detergent (Whirlpool, Maytag).
2. Check the vent hose material. Maytag says the hose behind the dryer should be a heavy, rigid material, because aluminum foil and plastic can get kinked or crushed and restrict airflow; Whirlpool says rigid or flexible metal. GE does not recommend flexible white plastic vent pipe, which can collapse and restrict the airflow.
3. Check how the hose is installed. Maytag says at least 4 inches in diameter, as short as possible, with no more than four 90° bends, and that 45° bends give even better airflow.
4. Clean the vent system. Maytag says the hose and duct can become clogged with lint and debris over years of use, and that you can clean it yourself or schedule a licensed technician.

The load matters too. Whirlpool says a load too large for the drum may not allow proper air circulation, and soaking wet clothing creates excess moisture. Whirlpool and Maytag say to fill the drum only to about ¾ full and, if clothes are still too wet, to run a spin or drain and spin cycle in the washer.

Why is my dryer not getting hot?

Whirlpool names the situations that can stop a dryer heating properly: a lack of power, the size of the load or its wetness, the heating element, or a blown thermal fuse. The makers differ on the vent. Whirlpool says a clogged lint screen or vent is not necessarily a reason the dryer won't heat, though it is a common reason it does not fully dry. Maytag says clogged vents can leave a dryer that turns but does not heat, because the heating element reaches a high temperature limit. Samsung says its dryers may not heat if they detect that heat and moisture are not leaving, to prevent overheating and fires in the vent.

Samsung's first check is whether there is any heat at all: set the dryer to Time Dry with Eco Dry off, start it, and after 30 seconds open the door and feel inside. If there is any warmth, Samsung says service is almost never required. If there is no heat and the dryer has never heated since it was installed, Samsung says installation is the likely cause.

Why is my dryer running but not heating?

Four makers point first to the power or gas supply.

• Electric: the breakers. Whirlpool says electric dryers run on separate 30 amp circuits with two circuit breakers: one runs the motor that turns the drum, the other the heating element. Whirlpool and Maytag say to unplug the dryer and reset both breakers before plugging it back in. Samsung says to turn the breaker off, wait 30 seconds and turn it back on. Electrolux says to reset the breaker or replace the house fuse.
• Electric: the voltage. Whirlpool and Maytag say an electric dryer needs a 240-volt supply, and to check with a qualified electrician if you are unsure what your outlet carries. GE says that on a 120-volt circuit, drying time will be as much as three times longer.
• Gas: the valve and supply. Whirlpool and Maytag say that if the gas valve is closed, the drum will still turn but the dryer will not heat; if the handle is perpendicular to the gas pipe, turn it parallel to open it. Electrolux says to refill or replace an empty LP gas tank. LG says that on gas dryers a d80 code may indicate a lack of gas supplied.
• The cycle. Electrolux says that if the Air Fluff cycle or temperature is selected, the dryer will tumble without heat.

Can a clogged dryer vent cause clothes not to dry?

Yes. Maytag says dryers need good airflow along with heat, and calls longer than normal dry times the most common indicator of restricted house venting. Several dryers report it themselves:

The makers' fixes overlap. For the AF code, Whirlpool says to check that the vent run to the wall is not crushed and is free of lint, that the exterior exhaust hood is free of lint and debris, and that the run length and number of elbows are within the Use and Care Guide. For the Check Vent light, Whirlpool says cleaning the venting inside the house may require a vent cleaning service person, and that this is not covered by warranty and will not be done by an appliance service technician. LG says lint can jam the outside flappers and that running the Air Dry cycle should show them fully opened. GE says to make sure no bird or other wildlife nest is inside the duct or hood.

Not all Samsung models have the Vent Blockage test. On those without it, Samsung says to disconnect the vent and run Time Dry for at least 30 seconds with Eco Dry off: if the dryer is hotter with the vent off, the vent is too clogged or does not meet the manual's requirements. Samsung also warns that some older models do not reduce heat when the vent is clogged, so long cycles on a hot dryer still most likely mean a clogged vent, and that is when you are most at risk for a fire in the vent.

NFPA says to clean lint out of the vent pipe once a year, or more often if clothes take longer than normal to dry, or have a dryer lint removal service do it. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) says the venting behind the dryer should not be damaged, crushed or restricted, and that the dryer's interior and venting should be cleaned periodically by qualified service personnel, especially if clothes take longer than normal to dry. The full list of warning signs is on our page about the signs of a clogged dryer vent, and the cleaning steps are in how to clean a dryer vent.

Dryer settings that leave clothes damp

The makers name these settings and habits:

• Eco Dry. GE says that on models with Eco Dry (or eDry) the cycle defaults to it, and clothes may still be slightly damp at the end; you can unselect it and choose Dry or More Dry. Samsung says Eco Dry turns on automatically for some common cycles, such as Normal or Time Dry, on models with the setting.
• Energy Saver. LG says Energy Saver is on by default for the Cotton/Normal cycle and air dries without heat for most of the cycle. Press and release the button to turn it off for one cycle.
• Moisture sensors. Samsung says residue from dryer sheets on the two curved metal sensor bars can keep them from working properly; clean them with a soft cloth and a drop of dish soap, or set a higher Dry Level. LG says to clean the sensor once per month with a damp cloth.
• Load size. Samsung says the minimum load for its sensors is about 4 regular sized bath towels, and GE says to use a timed cycle for fewer than 5 items.

When the makers say to call for service

Whirlpool and Maytag say a damaged heating element (electric) or burner (gas) can stop a dryer heating, and because examining or replacing it requires disassembling the dryer, both recommend contacting a professional if the simple fixes fail. The same goes for the thermal fuse, which Whirlpool says dryers are mandated to carry: it is a one-time device that shuts the dryer down when temperatures inside get too high, and it must be replaced before the dryer is used again.

Samsung says heater failure usually means no heat at all, and to request service if the vent blockage test passes but the dryer does not heat. LG says that if its troubleshooting does not restore heat, service is required for a proper diagnosis.

When the cause is the duct rather than the dryer, Whirlpool's Check Vent page says cleaning the venting inside the house may require a vent cleaning service person, depending on the venting installation, and will not be done by an appliance service technician. For a crushed or plastic duct, see dryer vent repair; for lint in the vent run, see dryer vent cleaning. To have the vent cleaned or checked, use the form below and we will send your request to a company that serves your ZIP code.

Sources

1. Whirlpool, "4 reasons why your dryer isn't drying your clothes": whirlpool.com
2. Whirlpool, "Dryer Not Heating: Troubleshooting Guide": whirlpool.com
3. Whirlpool Product Help, "Whirlpool Dryer Check Vent Light Is On": producthelp.whirlpool.com
4. Whirlpool, "Dryer venting specifications" (W11688180A), "AF" code section: whirlpool.com
5. Maytag, "Dryer Not Drying? Step by Step Troubleshooting Guide": maytag.com
6. Maytag, "Why Is My Dryer Not Heating?": maytag.com
7. Maytag Product Help, "How to tell if your Maytag Dryer Vent may be Blocked or Restricted": producthelp.maytag.com
8. GE Appliances, "Dryer: Taking Too Long To Dry Clothes or Not Drying at All": products.geappliances.com
9. GE Appliances, "Dryer: Check Vent Sensor Alert": products.geappliances.com
10. LG, "LG Dryer: Why is My Dryer Not Heating, Not Drying or Taking a Long Time Drying?": lg.com
11. LG, "LG Dryer: Error Code List": lg.com
12. Samsung, "Clothes are not dry after using Samsung dryer": samsung.com
13. Samsung, "Run a Vent Blockage test on your Samsung dryer": samsung.com
14. Electrolux, "My dryer is running, but does not seem to be heating. What should I do?": owner.electrolux.com
15. NFPA, "Clothes dryer safety" tip sheet: nfpa.org
16. U.S. Fire Administration, "Clothes Dryer Fires in Residential Buildings (2008 to 2010)", August 2012: usfa.fema.gov

Maker support pages read October 2, 2026. Whirlpool venting specifications, NFPA tip sheet and USFA report read September 23, 2026.