Electric dryer won't heat troubleshooting video

Tools and parts needed

• Screwdriver

• Multimeter

• Work gloves

• Heating element

• High-limit thermostat

• Operating thermostat

• Thermal cut-off fuse

• Timer

Hi, this is Wayne from Sears PartsDirect. Today we’re going to talk about troubleshooting an electric dryer that won’t heat. There are a few things that could keep your dryer from heating. You might have a problem with the power supply to the dryer, a broken heating element, high-limit thermostat, operating thermostat, thermal cut-off fuse or timer.

I know that sounds like a lot, but don’t worry, we’ll help you work through them.

Check power supply to dryer

The first step is to check to see if the dryer is getting the correct amount of power. You may think the dryer is getting enough power if the motor runs, but the heating element needs 240 volts of electricity to heat. The motor will run even if the dryer is only getting 120 volts of power.

Check your power cord to make sure it’s not damaged. Then, reset your house circuit breaker to make sure it’s not tripped. Set your dryer to a timed dry, high-heat cycle and see if it heats up after resetting the breakers.

If it’s still not heating, we’ll need to check the components on the control circuit. Checking continuity with a multimeter will allow us to test them all at once.

First, unplug the dryer. For safety, always disconnect power before checking continuity. Remove the back panel from the dryer, then remove the back of the control panel. Unplug the large red wire from terminal "A" on the timer. Set the multimeter to read ohms of resistance.

Measure resistance between the large red wire on the timer and the heating element terminal where the large red wire is connected. If you measure near 15 ohms of resistance through this circuit, then you know that the heating element, high-limit thermostat, operating thermostat and thermal cut-off fuse are all okay. You can skip ahead to learn how to check out your timer.

Make sure heating element works

If you measured no electrical continuity through this circuit, which is an "OL" on this multimeter, then we’ll check the heating element. Place your meter leads on the heating element terminals. You should measure near 15 ohms of resistance through the heating element.

If you measured no continuity, then the heating element is broken. This video will show you how to replace it. If you measured near 15 ohms of resistance, then the heating element is good. 

Check high-limit thermostat

We’ll check the high-limit thermostat next. Place one meter lead on each terminal of the high-limit thermostat. You should measure near 0 ohms. If you measured no continuity, then the high-limit thermostat will need to be replaced. 

Test operating thermostat

If your high-limit thermostat is okay, we’ll check the operating thermostat next. Place one meter lead on the red wire and the other meter lead on the red-white wire. You should measure near 0 ohms of resistance through the operating thermostat. If you measured no continuity, the operating thermostat will need to be replaced. 

Did thermal cut-off fuse fail?

If your operating thermostat is good, we’ll check the thermal cut-off fuse next. Place one meter lead on the red-white wire and the other on the red wire. You should measure near 0 ohms. If you measured no continuity, you’ll need to replace the thermal cut-off fuse. 

Check timer last

If the thermal cut-off fuse is good, we’ll check the timer last. With the dryer still disconnected, turn the timer to timed dry, high heat. Place one meter lead on terminal "A" with the red wire and the other on terminal "C" with the black wire. If you measured no continuity, then the timer is broken.

Here’s a video that will show you how to replace it.

Other possible problems

If you’ve made it through all these checks and you still haven’t found your problem, you could have a defective motor centrifugal switch, a bad plug or a failed circuit breaker. You'll need to get a service technician to check these for you.

Hey, thanks for watching. Check out our other repair videos here on the YouTube channel, and if you like them, subscribe.

This video shows troubleshooting tips on a Kenmore dryer not heating. These tips can also help you troubleshoot Whirlpool, Amana, Maytag, Frigidaire and GE electric dryers that aren't heating.