Why is my Electric Dryer Not Getting Hot?

An electric dryer not getting hot is a huge obstacle to getting your laundry done and frustration can quickly set in. Damp clothes mean laundry piling up, and it's easy to assume a costly repair or dryer replacement is on the horizon.

However, understanding the common reasons behind a dryer failing to heat can help you troubleshoot and solve the problem quickly, potentially saving you time and money.

Let's examine the key reasons your electric dryer is not getting hot.

Power Supply Issues

Your electric dryer runs on a 240-volt power supply made up of two 120-volt legs. If one of these legs is missing due to a tripped breaker or faulty outlet, the dryer motor may run, but the heating element won't heat.

Always check your electrical panel first, ensuring both breakers controlling the dryer are on. If you suspect that the electrical outlet is faulty, have an electrician examine and fix the outlet if it’s bad.

Broken Heating Element

A heating element generates the heat that dries your clothes. Over time, heating elements can burn out or break due to regular use.

To test the element, unplug the dryer and access the heating element.

Using a multimeter set to measure resistance (ohms), check continuity. You should measure near 15 ohms of resistance through the heating element in most dryers. If there's no continuity, the element has failed and needs replacement.

Here’s a video that shows how to replace the heating element in a common type of dryer:

If you’re not completely confident that you can check and replace the dryer heating element yourself, schedule dryer repair and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the dryer for you.

Venting Problems and Blown Thermal Cut-off Fuse

Poor airflow from lint buildup on the lint screen or blocked exhaust vent ducting can cause your dryer to overheat, tripping a safety device called a thermal cut-off fuse.

Inspect your dryer's venting regularly, and clean it thoroughly to maintain proper airflow.

If the fuse has tripped, you'll have to replace it, as thermal fuses are single-use components. Always clear out lint and vent blockages to avoid repeated fuse failure.

Thermostat or Temperature Sensor Failure

Your dryer uses thermostats and/or sensors to regulate drying temperature.

If a thermostat malfunctions, it may prematurely signal that your dryer has reached the correct heat level, shutting down the heating element too soon or preventing it from heating altogether.

To diagnose a heating failure in a dryer with an electro-mechanical timer, follow the steps in this popular YouTube video to find the cause of the problem:

Replace any failed components in the heating circuit.

If your dryer uses an electronic control board, you’ll typically need to have a service technician check the temperature sensor. If you can find the tech sheet for your dryer in the console or inside the dryer, you can unplug the dryer power cord and check the resistance of the temperature sensor (also called the thermistor) using a multimeter. You should measure around 11K ohms of resistance (11,000 ohms) through the temperature sensor at room temperature. Replace the temperature sensor if resistance is off by more than 1000 ohms.

Timer or Electronic Control Board Problems

A dryer with a mechanical timer could have a faulty electrical contact inside the timer that fails to send current to the heating element. The video in the section above shows how to test the timer to see whether the contact for the heating element works. Replace the time if it’s defective.

Dryers that use an electronic control board can have a similar failure. A bad heater relay on the circuit board won’t send current to the heating element. A service technician typically needs to diagnose this type of failure. Schedule service unless you see damage such as burn marks or a melted heater relay on the circuit board and decide to replace the control board on your own.

Failed Motor Centrifugal Switch

One leg of the electrical current going to the heating element travels through the motor centrifugal switch as a safety feature. The element won’t heat unless the motor is running and spinning the blower motor to circulate air through the dryer. If the motor centrifugal switch fails, the heating element won’t get the current for heating. Although rare, this failure can prevent your dryer from heating. This is a failure that typically needs to be diagnosed and repair by a technician.

Bottom Line

While discovering your electric dryer isn't heating can initially be frustrating, identifying and addressing the root cause can often be straightforward.

Start by examining basic issues like power supply and venting, then move to internal components such as the heating element, thermostats, or control systems. And remember—when in doubt, calling in a trusted appliance repair professional is always a smart decision to get your dryer running hot again safely.