Dryer not heating: what the makers say to check first

Updated October 12, 2026 · Every figure checked twice against its source · How we verify

When a dryer is not heating, the makers start with the power or gas supply: Whirlpool, Maytag and Amana say an electric dryer runs on two circuit breakers, one for the drum motor and one for the heating element, so if one trips the dryer may not heat, and a gas dryer's drum will turn without heat if the gas shutoff valve is closed. Next comes the cycle: Whirlpool, Maytag and Amana say Air Only or Air/Fluff Only adds no heat at any time. Samsung says its dryers may not heat if heat and moisture are not leaving through the vent. A failed heating element, burner or thermal fuse means taking the dryer apart, and Whirlpool and Maytag recommend a professional for that.

Why is my dryer not getting hot?

Whirlpool names four situations that can stop a dryer heating properly: a lack of power, the size of the load or its wetness, an issue with the heating element, or a blown thermal fuse.

First confirm there is no heat at all. The product help pages of Whirlpool, Maytag and Amana give the same test:

1. Select a heated timed cycle. Run it for 5 minutes with the dryer empty (Whirlpool, Maytag, Amana).
2. Open the door and feel inside. If it is heating, the three makers send you to their drying performance troubleshooting instead.

Samsung's version is shorter: set Time Dry, make sure Eco Dry is off, start the cycle, and feel inside after 30 seconds. If there is any warmth, Samsung says service is almost never required; if the dryer has never heated since it was installed, it says installation is the likely cause.

If the dryer heats but the clothes stay damp, that is a different problem, covered on our page about a dryer not drying.

Dryer not heating up but runs: the electric checks

Maytag says the drum and the heating element are separate, so a dryer can spin without heating. On an electric dryer, the makers' checks are these:

1. Check both breakers. Whirlpool, Maytag and Amana say electric dryers need a separate 30-amp circuit fused on both sides of the line, so two circuit breakers operate the dryer, and if one is tripped the dryer may not heat. Whirlpool's blog says to unplug the dryer and reset both breakers before plugging it back in.
2. Reset even if it looks fine. GE says the circuit breaker could be partially tripped even if it does not look tripped: turn it off and back on. Samsung says to turn it off, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on.
3. Check the voltage. Whirlpool, Maytag and Amana say an electric dryer requires a 240-volt supply and to check with a qualified electrician. GE says the dryer should be on a dedicated 208V/240V outlet, and may run on a partial voltage of 120 volts but will not heat.
4. Check the power cord. Whirlpool, Maytag and Amana say to make sure the cord is properly installed per the installation instructions and the terminal screws are tight, unplugging the dryer before checking them. GE says to look for burnt, broken, frayed or loose wires at the terminal block on the back.

Gas dryer not getting hot

On a gas dryer, the checks are about the gas:

• The shutoff valve. Whirlpool, Maytag and Amana say the drum will turn but the dryer will not heat if the gas shutoff valve is closed, and that the valve is open when the handle is parallel to the gas pipe.
• A new installation. GE says to make sure the gas line has been turned on, and to contact service if it is on and the dryer still does not heat.
• The gas supply itself. Electrolux says to refill or replace an empty LP gas tank, and to call your natural gas company if the natural gas supply has been interrupted.
• Power still matters. Maytag's gas dryer page says to check for a blown household fuse or tripped breaker.

NFPA says gas dryers should be inspected by a qualified professional to make sure the gas line and connection are intact and free of leaks.

Settings that tumble without heat

Whirlpool, Maytag and Amana say the Air Only or Air/Fluff Only cycle does not add heat at any time. Electrolux says that with the Air Fluff cycle or temperature selected, the dryer will tumble without heat.

Some energy settings delay or reduce the heat on purpose. Samsung says Eco Dry does not use any hot air at the beginning of the cycle and turns on automatically for some common cycles, such as Normal or Time Dry, on models that have it. LG says Energy Saver is on by default for the Cotton/Normal cycle and air dries without heat for most of the cycle.

Clogged vent and no heat: what the makers say

The makers disagree here. 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. Maytag's blog says a clogged vent can leave a dryer that turns but does not heat, because the heating element reaches a high temperature limit. LG says that if its dryer is not heating properly, this is likely due to a blockage to the dryer's airflow. Whirlpool's blog disagrees: it says a clogged lint screen or vent is not necessarily a reason a dryer won't heat, though it is a common reason it does not fully dry.

Several dryers test the vent for you:

Samsung says the exhaust vent must not be plastic or foil, must be free from kinks or flattening, and must stay within the maximum length in your manual, with every 90 degree turn reducing that length by 6 feet. It says to clean the vent once or twice each year whether you have issues or not.

NFPA says the leading cause of home clothes dryer fires is failure to clean them, and 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 says to check that the venting behind the dryer is not damaged, crushed or restricted, and that the outdoor vent covering opens when the dryer is operating. Warning signs are on our page about the signs of a clogged dryer vent.

Maytag, Whirlpool and Amana dryer not heating

Whirlpool, Maytag and Amana publish the same "Dryer is Not Heating" checklist on their product help sites: the 5-minute heat test, the Air Only cycle, both breakers, the power cord and the gas shutoff valve. All three say that if a dryer heats but still has long dry times, the likely cause is a vent issue or restricted airflow, and that the venting to the outside must be cleaned every one to two years or as needed when dry performance has decreased.

Amana's own article says vents should be cleaned every year. For the venting rules on these models, see our Whirlpool dryer vent page.

LG dryer not heating

LG says a dryer not heating properly is likely due to a blockage to the dryer's airflow, from an obstruction in the duct work or lint on the air filter. Its Installation Test reads the temperatures inside the dryer and can point to the heating system, which needs a repair, or to restricted airflow, which LG says is normally a sign to have a yearly vent cleaning done by a professional vent cleaner.

LG's error codes split the electrical causes. An nP code means no current is detected at the heater; for nP or PS, LG says to turn off the dryer circuit breaker for at least 10 seconds and, if needed, have a licensed electrician check the outlet. On a gas dryer, LG says a display that looks like "9A5" actually spells "GAS": check that the gas valve is fully open and the supply line is connected and not kinked. More on LG's vent codes is on our LG dryer vent page.

Samsung and GE dryer no heat

Samsung's no-heat steps run: the heat check, the installation, the breaker reset, then its Vent Blockage test and vent cleaning. If the test passes but the dryer still does not heat at all, Samsung says to request service; it says heater failure usually means no heat at all. More is on our Samsung dryer vent page.

GE's pages for a dryer that runs but does not heat add one check: make sure the front of the dryer is not blocked. If its suggestions do not resolve it, GE says service may be needed.

When it is a part inside the dryer

Whirlpool and Maytag say that if the electric heating element or the gas burner is damaged, the dryer may no longer heat. Both say dryers are mandated to carry a thermal fuse to prevent fires: a one-time device that shuts the dryer down when temperatures inside get too high and must be replaced before the dryer is used again. Because either part means disassembling the dryer, both recommend contacting a professional if the simple fixes fail.

Parts inside the dryer are an appliance technician's job, and we do not arrange appliance repair. Whirlpool's Check Vent page says cleaning the venting inside the house may require a vent cleaning service person, depending on the installation, and will not be done by an appliance service technician. For lint in the vent run, see dryer vent cleaning; for a crushed, disconnected or plastic duct, see dryer vent repair. 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, "Dryer Not Heating: Troubleshooting Guide": whirlpool.com
2. Whirlpool Product Help, "Dryer is Not Heating": producthelp.whirlpool.com
3. Whirlpool Product Help, "Whirlpool Dryer Check Vent Light Is On": producthelp.whirlpool.com
4. Maytag, "Why Is My Dryer Not Heating?": maytag.com
5. Maytag Product Help, "Dryer is Not Heating": producthelp.maytag.com
6. Maytag Product Help, "Not Heating: Electric Dryer": producthelp.maytag.com
7. Maytag Product Help, "Not Heating: Gas Dryer": producthelp.maytag.com
8. Amana Product Help, "Dryer is Not Heating": producthelp.amana.com
9. Amana Product Help, "Checking the Gas Supply and the Shutoff Valve": producthelp.amana.com
10. Amana, "3 Reasons Your Dryer Isn't Heating or Drying": amana.com
11. GE Appliances, "Electric Dryer: Runs But Does Not Heat": products.geappliances.com
12. GE Appliances, "Gas Dryer: Runs But Does Not Heat": products.geappliances.com
13. LG, "LG Dryer: Why is My Dryer Not Heating, Not Drying or Taking a Long Time Drying?": lg.com
14. LG, "LG Dryer: Error Code List": lg.com
15. Samsung, "Clothes are not dry after using Samsung dryer": samsung.com
16. Electrolux, "My dryer is running, but does not seem to be heating. What should I do?": owner.electrolux.com
17. NFPA, "Clothes dryer safety" tip sheet: nfpa.org
18. U.S. Fire Administration, "Clothes Dryer Fire Safety" flyer: usfa.fema.gov

Whirlpool, Maytag and Amana product help pages, the Amana article and the GE pages read October 12, 2026. Whirlpool and Maytag blogs, Whirlpool Check Vent page, LG, Samsung, Electrolux and NFPA pages read October 2, 2026; USFA flyer read September 30, 2026.