Why Is My Kenmore Dryer Not Heating – SOLVED

When appliances start malfunctioning, most people go into panic mode. People rely a lot on the appliances they use on almost a daily basis and they usually work fine. But when they stop working, you might think that you’ll need to buy a new model or spend a ton of money on repairs.

While this can also happen, sometimes there’s only a small problem that’s easy to fix. In this article, you’ll learn how to fix your Kenmore dryer, not heating.

Kenmore Dryer Not Heating

There are many reasons why your Maytag dryer isn’t heating up. So I will start at first base, by guiding you through a step-by-step troubleshooting approach, from initially checking the incoming power supply to dealing with more complex technical issues later on.

1. Incoming Power Issue

Before you start testing different components in your Kenmore dryer for continuity, you should first consider that the appliance is maybe not working properly due to an incoming power issue. It can be due to a blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker.

Blown Fuse

In case a blown fuse is causing the issue, you should replace it with another one of the same rating, type, size, and amperage. You can notice whether a fuse is blown by checking whether it’s cloudy or discolored inside. Make sure that you wear gloves before you start locating the blown fuse in the fuse box. It’s also necessary to disconnect the power to the box by turning off the main power switch.

Check out the video below to learn how to safely replace a blown fuse.

How To Change A Fuse In A Traditional Fuse Box

Tripped Circuit Breaker

When you put too much pressure on the electrical system in your home by running many appliances at once, it will result in a tripped circuit breaker. Thankfully, all you’ll need to do to fix this issue is reset it in the circuit breaker box to get it working again.

2. No Gas Flow – Solenoid Valve

If there is no gas flow in your dryer, it’s likely due to a gas valve solenoid malfunction. This is a component that controls the amount of gas that enters the dryer. You can check if this component is in good condition with a multimeter.

Testing Gas Valve Solenoid

The gas valve solenoid coils are located right behind the lower panel of your dryer. Once you remove the lower panel, you can test the solenoid valve with a multimeter. Set the device to the resistance setting and connect its leads to the valve’s terminals. In case you get a reading between 1,000-2,000 ohms, you will need to replace this component.

Here’s a great video on how to replace valve solenoids in Kenmore dryers.

Whirlpool/Kenmore Gas Dryer Valve Solenoid Coil (2 Terminal) #694540

3. Clogged Lint Filter or Dryer Vent

The dryer vent is a component that should be cleaned at the very least once every few months. By cleaning the vent, you’ll minimize the risk of debris buildup that would have otherwise caused the appliance to malfunction. When too much debris and dust is in the dryer vent, the appliance will likely continue to spin. However, it will not heat. For your dryer to continue working properly, you’ll need to clean the clogged vent.

Clearing the Blockage

If a blocked dryer vent is the only thing causing your appliance to malfunction, then you should be relieved since it’s easy to clean this component. All you’ll need is a vacuum cleaner to get out all of the debris stuck in the vent. You will find the vent in the back of the appliance.

4. Broken Heating Element

It’s impossible for your Kenmore dryer to generate heat if the heating element inside it doesn’t work. When this component stops working, there is no way to repair it. You will have to install a replacement part. But first, you should check whether the component is faulty.

How To Inspect The Heating Element

You will need a multimeter and a screwdriver to conduct this test. Here’s what you’ll need to do.

1. Grab your screwdriver and use it to remove the screws that hold the back panel.
2. Remove the back panel and locate the heating element, which is in a small metal box and features heating coils.
3. Take your multimeter and set it to the continuity setting. Connect its leads to the element’s terminals one by one.
4. If you don’t hear anything when you connect the leads, the heating element is not working. If it works, you’ll hear a beeping sound.

Is A Heating Element Worth Replacing

Replacement heating elements for Kenmore dryers cost between $20-45 from stores such as Amazon.com, depending on the model. It’s an affordable component and it’s absolutely worth replacing.

5. Blown Thermal Fuse

One of the reasons why your Kenmore dryer has stopped heating could be due to a blown thermal fuse. This is a common issue that is incredibly easy and inexpensive to fix. The thermal fuse is a component of every appliance used today. It’s installed as a safety mechanism to prevent appliances from overheating. If for whatever reason your Kenmore dryer started to overheat, the thermal fuse would shut it off to prevent a potential fire. Although the thermal fuse is an incredibly helpful component, the only downside to it is that it’s intended for only one use. When it’s blown, you will have to replace it with a new one.

Finding The Thermal Fuse on Your Dryer

You can easily locate the thermal fuse to then inspect whether it’s blown or not. Before you start disassembling your dryer, you should unplug it from its power source. Once you do that, you can safely start removing the front panel and the drum. You’ll now see a small device with two wires attached to it. This is the thermal fuse.

If you’d like to find out how to test a thermal fuse for continuity and determine whether it should be replaced, you should check out the video below.

How To Test A Dryer Thermal Fuse For Continuity

6. Faulty Cycling Thermostat

Without a working thermostat in your Kenmore dryer, there is nothing to regulate the temperature in the machine. That’s why this crucial component needs to be replaced for the appliance to start heating again. If you want to know whether the thermostat is preventing your dryer from heating, you can test it for continuity with a multimeter.

How to Test a Faulty Thermostat

Before you conduct the test, you will first have to ensure that your dryer is not plugged into a power source. In case you have a gas dryer, make sure that the gas valve is shut off. After you do this, follow the next steps to test the thermostat.

1. Remove the screws on the back panel with a screwdriver.
2. Remove the whole back panel and locate the thermostat. It will be on the blower wheel housing or on the inside of the venting system, depending on the model.
3. The thermostat in your dryer will look like a small oval-shaped part.
4. Remove the thermostat from the dryer and grab your multimeter.
5. Set the multimeter to the lowest ohm setting and connect its leads to the terminals of the thermostat.
6. In case you get a reading of infinity, you have to replace the thermostat. A reading of 0 ohms indicates that the thermostat is in good shape.

7. Defective Coils

Gas dryers feature electric coils that are located on top of the gas control valve. These coils can heat up internally over time up to the point when they become defective and need to be replaced.

How to Test Defective Coils

1. Grab your multimeter and set it to the resistance setting.
2. Remove the lower panel from your Kenmore dryer to access the gas control valve.
3. Remove the coils from the valve and connect the multimeter’s leads to the coils’ terminals.
4. If you get a reading of 1,000-2,000 ohms, it means that the coils are in good condition.

8. Timer

The timer sends a signal to the dryer when it’s time to move to the next cycle. However, when a timer is broken it won’t send any signals. In case you’re not sure whether the timer is defective or not, you can test it with a multimeter.

Testing a Defective Timer

You can easily locate the timer in your dryer after you remove the control console and the rear panel behind it. Once you do this, grab a multimeter and set it to Rx1. Now connect its leads to the terminals of the timer. In case you get a reading between 2,000 and 3,000 ohms, the timer is in good condition.

FAQs Kenmore Dryer Won’t Heat

Kenmore Models Covered

The fixes provided in this guide apply to a range of Kenmore dryers. These models include:

• Kenmore Elite
• Kenmore 80 Series
• Kenmore 70 Series
• Kenmore 500
• Kenmore 400
• Kenmore 110
• Kenmore HE2

Some of the tips provided above are only for gas dryers, while others apply only to electric models.

You may also be interested in Kenmore Washer Not Spinning Clothes Dry

SOLVED: Kenmore Dryer Not Heating

Your Kenmore dryer, not heating shouldn’t be a cause for alarm. There’s a good chance you’ll be able to solve the problem in less than an hour even if you don’t have experience with fixing appliances. Simply follow all of the steps in this guide and you’ll figure out exactly what went wrong with your dryer.