The thermal fuse is a safety device designed to protect the dryer from overheating. The fuse is located on the blower housing or at the dryer’s heat source such as the heating element on electric dryers or at the burner on gas models. The fuse should be closed for continuity meaning it has a continuous electrical path through it when good. If overheated the fuse will have no continuity meaning the electrical path is broken and the fuse has blown. A multimeter can be used to test it for continuity. Be aware that a blown thermal fuse is an indication of a restricted exhaust vent from the dryer to the outside. Always check the dryer venting when replacing a blown thermal fuse.
The drive motor turns the drum and blower wheel to push out the air. First, see if the motor makes a humming noise. If it still hums, take off the belt from the motor. Then check that nothing is blocking the blower wheel. Next, with the belt off, try to turn the drum by hand. If the drum doesn't spin easily, find out what's stopping it from turning. If the drum spins freely and nothing blocks the blower, the drive motor may be bad. If you think the motor is the problem, replace it. That should fix your dryer.
Gas dryers have gas valve solenoids that open to let gas flow to the burner. If they fail, the dryer won't heat up. To check, look at the igniter. If it glows but doesn't light the gas, the solenoid is bad. If one or more solenoids are defective, replace them all together. That way the dryer will heat right. The igniter working but not lighting the gas means the gas valve solenoid isn't opening. Replace all the solenoids so the gas can flow again.
The heating element warms the air before it goes into the dryer drum. Over time, the element can burn out so the dryer won't heat up. Use a multimeter to check if the element has continuity. No continuity means the element is burned out. If there's no continuity, replace the heating element. This should fix it so the element heats the air again and the dryer can heat properly.
If your dryer drum is not turning, it's probably not because of a bad timer. That rarely happens. First check the parts that usually break. If everything else is working right, then test the timer. Use a multimeter and wiring diagram to check the timer. If the timer is bad, replace it. But again, the timer is not likely to be the problem if the drum won't turn. Look at the other parts first before replacing the timer.
The igniter uses heat to light the gas burner. If the igniter is broken, the gas won't ignite and the dryer won't heat up. Use a multimeter to test if the igniter has continuity. No continuity means the igniter is burned out. If there is no continuity, replace the igniter. This should allow the igniter to heat up and ignite the gas again so the dryer can heat.
The heating element warms the air before it goes into the dryer drum. Over time, the element can burn out so the dryer won't heat up. Use a multimeter to check if the element has continuity. No continuity means the element is burned out. If there's no continuity, replace the heating element assembly. This should fix it so the assembly heats the air again and the dryer can heat properly.
On gas dryers, the flame sensor detects heat from the flame. If it's not working, the dryer won't heat up. First check the igniter and thermal fuse. Then use a multimeter to test the sensor. Check for continuity at room temperature. If there's no continuity, the sensor is defective. Replace it if there's no continuity. That should fix it so the sensor can detect the flame again and allow the dryer to heat. Checking the main parts first, then testing the sensor will show if it needs to be replaced.
A dryer's control board controls the voltage being sent to all of the appliance's electrical components. If the board is defective, it may interrupt voltage to the drive motor resulting in the drum not turning. You can inspect the board for signs of damage or a shorted component. You can also use a multimeter to test for voltage reaching the drive motor after reviewing the dryer's wiring diagram.
The high-limit thermostat watches the temperature inside the dryer. It turns the burner off if the dryer gets too hot. If the thermostat is broken, it might turn the burner off even if the dryer is not too hot. But this rarely happens. Before replacing the thermostat, check the other parts that often break. If the other parts are all working, use a multimeter to test if the thermostat is working. See if electricity can pass through it. If the thermostat does not let electricity through, it needs to be replaced. Only replace it if testing shows it is broken.
The dryer has a part called a thermistor. The thermistor checks the temperature of the heating part of the dryer. When the heating part gets hot enough, the thermistor turns the heat off. This helps prevent the dryer from getting too hot. If the thermistor is broken, it might not turn the heat on at all. So the dryer won't heat up like it should. The thermistor is an important safety part. It makes sure the dryer doesn't overheat. If your dryer isn't heating, the thermistor could be faulty. It may need to be replaced.
The cycling thermostat turns the heat on and off to keep the air temperature right. If it is broken, the dryer won't heat up. But this rarely happens. Before replacing the thermostat, check the parts that often break first. If those parts are all working, use a multimeter to test the thermostat. Check if electricity can pass through it. If electricity cannot pass through, the thermostat needs replacing. Only replace it if testing shows it is broken. Follow safety tips when testing. Make sure to unplug the dryer before testing inside.
The main control board in a dryer controls the power going to all the parts. If the board is bad, it could stop sending power to the motor. This would make the drum not turn. Look at the board for any damaged or shorted parts. You can also use a multimeter to check if power is getting to the motor. First check the wiring diagram for the dryer. Replacing the control board can fix the problem if it's not giving power to the motor.
The gas valve in a dryer opens to let gas flow to the burner tube. The gas ignites into a flame. This flame heats the air moving through the drum. If the gas valve is broken, it may not open to allow gas to reach the burner. Then the dryer cannot heat the air. Without hot air, the clothes will not dry. Before replacing the gas valve, check that the gas supply line has pressure. Make sure the igniter clicks. If those are okay, the gas valve likely needs replacing. Follow safety precautions when working with gas appliances. Make sure to shut off the gas supply before starting.
Make sure the dryer is set to the right heat setting. The setting may have accidentally been changed to no heat. Check that it's on a heating option, not air fluff or air dry. That should allow the dryer to heat up again.
An electric dryer heater needs 220 volts to work right. If the voltage is wrong, the dryer can run but not heat up. Check that the dryer is getting the proper 220 volt power supply. This will allow the heating element to heat the air so the dryer can dry properly.