When your Kenmore dryer won’t heat up, it can be a frustrating experience. However, there are several steps you can take to resolve the problem yourself before calling in a repairman for assistance.
One of the most frequent causes of a dryer not heating up properly is an unresponsive heating element. This part of the machine warms up air before sending it to the drum, helping ensure even heat distribution throughout your home.
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Loose Connections
If your Kenmore dryer isn’t heating, a loose connection could be to blame. Electrical connections in appliances must be mechanically tight to ensure resistance is as low as possible – ideally zero ohms – to prevent heat from accumulating on the connection itself.
Kenmore dryer heating element connections must be tightened for safety, as a loose connection may allow heat to build up even after the appliance has reached its optimal temperature. Loose connections could also indicate larger issues like burned wires with melted insulation or exposed copper.
No matter the cause, it’s important to address the problem right away in order to prevent further harm to your appliance. Doing so will save you money in the long run through costly repairs.
First and foremost, check your home’s main circuit breaker to see if it has been tripped and is preventing your dryer from working properly. A tripped breaker usually indicates a larger issue that must be addressed by an experienced electrician.
Another potential cause is a blocked venting system. Clogged vents can raise your dryer’s exhaust temperatures, potentially leading to burnout of electrical components. To inspect your venting, start a timed dry on high heat and observe how well airflow comes out of the exhaust vent.
Loose wiring or poor connections can trip your breaker, preventing the appliance from working. A blown thermal fuse or malfunctioning thermostat are other potential causes for a dryer that won’t heat up.
Faulty Thermostat
Your dryer’s thermostat is an integral component that regulates its temperature setting. If this thermostat malfunctions, your machine may fail to heat up or overheat.
There are various reasons why a dryer’s thermostat may malfunction. It could be an issue with its programming, wiring or connections. It could also have issues with its timer and timing motor.
Test the thermostat with a multimeter to see if it is functioning correctly. Set it to read ohms and attach one probe to each wire terminal.
If the meter reads zero, your thermostat is working as intended. On the other hand, if it reads infinity, that indicates an issue and should be replaced immediately.
Another possible explanation for your dryer not heating up could be due to a blown thermal fuse. This safety mechanism shuts off electricity to the motor circuit if your dryer overheats.
The thermal fuse is a one-time replacement part that features two 3/16 inch terminals and attaches to the blower wheel housing. Sold individually, this thermal fuse should only be used once.
A blown thermal fuse can cause your dryer to not heat up or even shut off entirely. You can test its continuity with a multimeter and replace it if necessary.
Faulty Motor Start Capacitor
The motor start capacitor is a battery-like device that stores extra energy when the thermostat and control board require it. This energy is sent to the motor, and when it’s ready to spin again, it sends an intense burst of electricity that gets your machine up and running again.
A malfunctioning motor start capacitor can cause your dryer to not heat up. In such cases, you should be able to obtain a replacement part through the manufacturer of your appliance.
If you can’t locate a replacement, first ensure your breaker or fuse is broken. If so, contact an electrical repair expert to inspect the circuit.
You may also want to inspect the timer, which is an independent component that must work correctly for your dryer to heat up properly. To test this, disconnect your dryer and place one meter lead on terminal “A” and the other on terminal “C.” If there’s no continuity there, then your timer has likely failed.
Capacitors store electricity in devices such as electronic circuits, power plants and motors. Their size can vary depending on their usage; they could even be hazardous if damaged. Therefore, always follow technical and safety instructions when performing any electrical repairs or maintenance on your system and its components.
Faulty Heating Element
The heating element is an integral component of your dryer, sending warm air to the drum. Therefore, when this element fails to function properly, you’ll know immediately there’s a problem.
Your dryer may not be heating properly due to a broken element or general wear-and-tear on its heater coils. Either way, you’ll need to replace the heating element if you want your machine to operate optimally once more.
Another common issue caused by a malfunctioning heating element is that it fails to produce any heat at all. This may be due to either an inadequate element or broken thermal high limit.
If your dryer isn’t heating up, the first thing to check is the power cord and door switch. Make sure they’re both plugged into the wall and not tripped or turned off.
Once these checks have been made, you can then determine if the issue lies with your thermostat or control board. If unsure what to check, contact an appliance repair professional and ask them what they think is wrong.
You may also try reseting the circuit breaker that supplies your home with electricity. This is an easy fix that will enable your dryer to heat up once again.
Faulty Control Board
If your Kenmore dryer isn’t heating properly, it could be due to an issue with the control board. This integral component ensures all other parts work together as one cohesive unit.
If the control board is malfunctioning, it won’t send instructions to other parts correctly and this could lead to problems. That is why calling a technician to repair it instead of attempting it yourself is recommended.
To begin troubleshooting this problem, unplug the Kenmore dryer from its power source. Doing so allows you to take a close look at all components without risking injury or damage to them.
Once you have eliminated all safety hazards, it is time to take off the bottom panel. Doing this allows access to the thermal fuse which protects the blower from overheating.
This fuse is located near the heating element in a blower housing. It’s an oval component with terminals on each end.
To access the thermal fuse, disconnect the exhaust vent from your dryer’s outlet and take off the rear panel. With easy access to the fuse, use a multimeter or continuity tester to test for continuity with full electrical path.
Once the thermal fuse has been tested, you should be able to replace it and resume drying your clothes. Just be sure to secure the new fuse before turning on the power again.
Faulty High Limit Switch
If your Kenmore dryer isn’t heating, it could be due to a malfunctioning component within the machine. In this instance, you will need to identify and fix the malfunctioning component in order to get your machine up and running again.
One of the first troubleshooting steps should be to check for a problem with your dryer’s power supply. This includes checking the breaker switch or fuses. If they have been tripped, 240V power won’t reach your Kenmore elite dryer’s heating element – an absolute necessity!
Another possible reason your dryer may not be heating is a blown thermal fuse. This safety element trips if the air in your drum overheats. Usually located near the heating elements, but can also be found within the blower housing.
The next step is to test your thermal fuse with a multimeter. This will let you determine whether it has blown or not.
If the thermal fuse has blown, you must replace it with one of similar temperature rating. You also need to replace the high-limit thermostat if applicable.
High limit thermostat failure is not a common occurrence, but it does happen. To test it, take off the rear panel and disconnect all wires from the thermostat. Then use a multimeter to read continuity across each terminal.