Dryer not heating?
Five checks that can fix the issue — no tools needed.
1. Check the settings.
Air Dry, Eco, and Fluff cycles run with little or no heat. Make sure a heated cycle is actually selected — it's an easy dial to bump.
2. Clean the lint screen — properly.
A screen that looks clean can still be coated in an invisible film from dryer sheets and softener. Rinse it under water; if the water pools instead of running through, wash the screen with a drop of dish soap.
3. Check the vent duct.
A dryer that can't push air out can't heat safely, and many shut the heat off on purpose. Pull the dryer out gently and make sure the duct behind it isn't crushed, and check that the outside vent flap opens when the dryer runs. A lint-packed duct is also a fire risk — this check is worth doing twice a year regardless.
4. Don't overload it.
One big duvet or a stuffed drum wraps into a ball — the outside dries, the inside stays damp, and it feels like the heat is broken.
5. Check the breaker panel.
Electric dryers use a double breaker, and one half can trip on its own — the drum turns but the air stays cold. Flip the dryer breaker fully off, then back on. Gas dryer? Confirm the gas valve behind it is open.
Still cold? Stop there.
If none of that worked, the likely causes — heating element, thermal fuse, igniter, thermostat — aren't do-it-yourself territory.
Get connected with a local technician now.
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This guide is general reference, not repair instructions. Unplug any appliance before touching more than its controls. Repairs beyond these checks should be done by a qualified technician.