Appointment Lookup
646-440-2692
Kenmore dryer not drying
Common reasons your Kenmore dryer is not drying
The most common reasons your Kenmore dryer is not drying are a clogged vent tube, open heating element or a bad wire connector.
51% of the time it's the Vent Tube
13% of the time it's the Heating Element
13% of the time it's the Wire Connector
23% of the time it's the Something else
Schedule your dryer repair now!
We can help! Our service technicians have repaired over 500,000 Kenmore dryers. We can fix yours no matter where you bought it.
Most common repairs needed to fix a Kenmore dryer
Vent Tube Replacement
A clogged vent tube is one of the most common causes for a dryer not drying clothes. When the vent tube is clogged, air won’t flow through the dryer. Warm moist air will stay in the dryer drum and clothes won’t dry. When clothes are taking a long time to dry, have a Sears Home Services Technician visit your home and examine the dryer. The technician will determine whether a clogged vent is causing the drying problem.
Heating Element Replacement
An open heating element could be causing the problem when your dryer is not drying. “Open” means that the heating element is broken and current isn’t flowing through the element to produce heat. You may not see physical damage on the heating element for it to be electrically open. An interior break in the continuity of the element can prevent it from heating. When your dryer isn’t heating, have a Sears Home Services Technician visit your home and fix the dryer.
Wire Connector Replacement
A bad wire connector in the heating circuit or control circuit can keep the dryer from drying clothes. A disconnected wire on the heating element will prevent the element from heating. A loose wire on the moisture sensor will fool the control into thinking clothes are dry while the garments are still damp. A bad wire connector on the control board can keep the control from managing the drying cycle properly. When your dryer isn’t drying clothes properly, schedule service and have a Sears Home Services Technician check the dryer. The technician will check the wire connectors and fix any problems.
What to expect when you experience a Kenmore dryer not drying issue
How is the not drying problem fixed?
Correcting most not drying problems usually involves replacing the vent tube, heating element or wire connector. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.
Sears Home Services recommendations for a dryer that is not drying
When the dryer is not drying it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of dryer failures.
What to look out for with a dryer not drying diagnosis
Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your dryer problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.
Why is my Kenmore dryer not drying clothes?
Heating problems are a leading cause of a dryer not drying clothes. Also a clogged exhaust vent duct system can also prevent the dryer from drying clothes.
Why is my Gas Dryer Not Heating?
There are a many things that could keep your dryer from heating up. You might have a problem with the gas supply to the dryer, or problems with the flame sensor, gas valve coils, high-limit thermostat, operating thermostat, thermal cut-off fuse, thermal fuse, igniter or timer. I know that sounds like a lot, but don’t worry, we’ll help you work through it with the troubleshooting tips in this video:
Once you find the cause of the heating failure, decide whether you want to fix the problem yourself or have a Sears Home Services technician fix the dryer for you.
Resolving a heating problem in your dryer with fix the appliance so it dries your clothes properly again.
Why Won’t My Electric Dryer Heat?
In this helpful DIY video, we show you how to troubleshoot your dryer that won’t heat, including checking the heating element, high-limit thermostat, operating thermostat, thermal cut-off fuse and timer. Learn about a few easy tests you can run to find the problem, including using a multimeter to make sure current is flowing between the parts. Once you know what the issue is, you can fix the issue yourself or have our Sears Home Services technician fix the problem for you.
Check the Power Supply
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, you’ll need to check the components on the control circuit. Checking continuity with a multimeter will allow you 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 in the video.
Check the Dryer Heating Element
If you measured no electrical continuity through the circuit described, then 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. Continue with the troubleshooting tips in the video to find the cause of your dryer not heating and not drying clothes properly.
A Kenmore dryer that spins but leaves damp clothes likely suffers from a clogged vent or failing sensor. Simple lint checks may not solve embedded blockages. Book dryer repair near me for advanced airflow solutions. Enjoy fully dry loads without repeated cycles.
What our customers say about us
With more than 1.3 Million 5 Star Reviews, you don't have to take our word for it
Excellent service from Daniel
Daniel provided excellent service and was very quick to perform the repair. I have nothing good to say about the warranty program and the LACK of customer service and the inability to contact a human being to talk.
Tammy M, Hilton, NY
Satisfied customer
Excellent technician Very thorough and detail oriented Would be happy to have him work on appliances again He managed to find our ranch headquarters in the middle of the desert
Rose W, Las Cruces, NM
Dryer service
He was professional and polite. I didn't call back later that afternoon, although he replaced a thermostat the smart dry timer doesn't work as I was still having the same issue. The lady said she would email him and have him return. Never heard from anyone else.
Terry F, Oklahoma City, OK
Frequently Asked Questions
Repair Dryer Resources
Learn how to fix the dC code on your Samsung dryer with expert advice from Sears Home Services. Start your easy, DIY fix today or schedule a repair!
Learn 5 DIY troubleshooting tips to fix your dryer when it is not heating. Accurately diagnose why your dryer is not getting hot and fix the problem fast.
Find out why your electric dryer is not getting hot. Get expert tips to accurately diagnose and fix the heating problem.
Find out why your dryer keeps stopping in the middle of the cycle and how to fix the problem.
Glossary Terms
A dryer drum is the main interior component of a clothes dryer where clothes are placed to be dried. It rotates during the drying cycle, allowing heated air to circulate through the clothes.
A dryer filter, commonly known as a lint filter, is a component of a clothes dryer that captures lint and other debris from clothes during the drying process, preventing them from clogging the dryer vent.
A dryer pedestal is a platform that elevates a dryer off the ground, making it easier to load and unload laundry while also providing additional storage space in some models.
A dryer rack is an accessory for clothes dryers that provides a stationary platform to dry items without tumbling, ideal for delicate or bulky items, or shoes that might be damaged by the usual drying cycle.