Kenmore dryers are known for their high performance and reliability, but lately, some users have reported that their dryers are not heating up. These are some reasons and solutions for why your Kenmore dryer might not be heating, as well as some troubleshooting steps.
Why is my Kenmore dryer not heating?
One of the most common reasons why a Kenmore dryer fails to function is a blown thermal fuse. A malfunctioning thermostat may also be responsible. Valve coils are commonly responsible for dryer failure. You may need to check the clogged vent if the heating element is not the problem.
There are a variety of reasons why a Kenmore dryer may not heat up. According to the experts, there are several common reasons.
Burned or broken thermal fuse:
Thermal fuses on some models have been burned. A broken thermal fuse can result in Kenmore dryers not heating up. Make sure your dryer does not have a damaged or burned-out thermistor. Make sure the electricity is working properly and there are no power shortages.
The thermostat is not set correctly:
There might not be heat coming from the dryer if the thermostat is not correctly set. For it to work effectively, it needs to be adjusted one notch above the “normal” setting. You may need to remove and clean the thermal switch on top of the dryer cabinet.
An obstructed vent:
The vents, ductwork, and holes in your floor will be obstructed by grease and lint if they are clogged. If this happens, you may not be able to heat your Kenmore dryer. The force of gravity seems powerful enough to achieve suction even if the system is fully functional.
Keeping mechanical systems unblocked and controlling moisture would be helpful. The steam pressure from exhaust fans should have relied upon more than the main steam pressure.
Insufficient water flow:
For the system to function properly, it needs enough water flowing through it. This is especially true if you have a Kenmore dryer. An insufficient amount of water may prevent the dryer from heating.
Why is my Kenmore dryer not heating gas?
You can check a few things to determine if your Kenmore dryer is not heating gas. The first step is to check the airflow by opening the door and looking for obstructions or debris.
There will be a blockage in the airflow that causes the dryer to run hotter than normal and not heat the gas.
Make sure that the filter is not clogged. This will prevent the gas from reaching the flame and the dryer will not work. Lastly, check if there is a gas leak. Gas will escape if there is a leak, and the dryer will not function.
Why is my Kenmore dryer not heating the thermal fuse?
The thermal fuse is a safety device that prevents fires from forming in dryers. There are a few reasons why your Kenmore dryer may not heat the thermal fuse. One of the most common causes is a blown fuse. The fuse may be blown if the dryer does not heat up.
Most often, this is caused by a power surge. When a power surge occurs, the dryer shorted out. Check if your dryer starts when you plug it in to see if it has been blown. It is then necessary to replace that fuse in that case.
How do you check the thermal fuse on a Kenmore dryer?
Checking the fuse is the first thing to do when your dryer won’t heat up. Learn how to locate the thermal fuse in your Kenmore dryer.
Unplug the dryer:
The first thing you need to do is unplug the dryer from the mains.
Remove the filter from inside the dryer:
After that, you will need to remove the cover over the small hole. On most models, your thermal fuse will be located inside this hole. This appears to be an all-in-one heating element.
You must twist the two parts apart before you can remove these parts, which are screwed together and connected via a “tee.” The thermal fuse can then be removed using needle-nose pliers.
Check, if it is ok or not:
Make sure it is not burnt. In most cases, you will find a burned thermal fuse. Then, you will have to examine why it was burned. Check underneath and on top of the thermal fuse to see if there is anything else that could cause sparking/spilling out.
Those components that get too much chance to burn are relays, electrical contacts, or wires nearby.
Is there a reset button on a Kenmore dryer? Where is the thermal fuse located in a Kenmore dryer?
Kenmore dryers do not have a rest button. There is, however, a way to reset the Kenmore dryer without a reset button. If your dryer was working before the power surge, and it is still not working after replacing the fuse, then there may be something else wrong with your dryer.
A thermal fuse is located on the top assembly of the Kenmore dryer and you will find it on the left side of the assembly. If it pops out or becomes loose, it should be replaced as this can lead to safety issues.
In the case of a dryer equipped with a thermal fuse, it is possible to blow the fuse and the dryer could become dangerous to use as a result.
How to fix a Kenmore dryer that is not heating?
It is very frustrating to have a problem with your dryer. You can fix your Kenmore dryer yourself if it is not heating. The steps are below.
Find out why the heating isn’t working:
Kenmore dryers do not heat for many reasons. For example, there might be a defect in the heating element and burned fuses. Once you find the issue, you are halfway there.
Do a second check:
The heat doesn’t come on, but you feel hot. It takes the dryer two or more minutes to reach the running state. This is known as ramp-up time.
Electronic parts inside the recirculating fan motor begin heating up too soon after turn-on, which leads to thermal distortion, affecting the efficiency of the dryer.
Open and close the thermostat:
The thermostat in the dryer must open and close in order for the heater to work. Having the door stick or not open at all will cause the motor to overheat and be damaged.
A faulty contact between motor winding secondary resistance can also result in too high voltage, causing the relay to shift during the on/off cycle, activating the heater coil.
Make sure the thermostat is working properly:
Turn on the dryer first. Measure the amount of heat coming from the vent holes near the machine.
In the case where the water doesn’t come out, you can open the motor if there are no electrically conductive parts inside, such as the fan, downdraft trap, or contactor; this indicates that the problem lies with the heating element or thermal fuse.
Things you will need:
If it does not seem that the thermostat is the cause of the problem, then it is most likely a defective thermal fuse.
The following tools are essential for the replacement of a thermal fuse: a Phillips head screwdriver, an adjustable wrench, a 3 inch long bolt, two wrenches of the same size or larger and your personal safety equipment.
Fixing a defective Thermal Fuse:
The dryer can be turned off by removing the switch or flipping a breaker near the machine. Take out the screws that hold the thermal fuse in place. It is also important to note that the tabs on both sides of the thermal fuse need to be oriented correctly when replacing it.
One tab should be pointing down, and the other should be pointing upwards. Using the screws you removed earlier, insert the thermal fuse back into its proper location and screw it in again using the screws that you removed earlier.
Before screwing the thermal fuse in, make sure the tabs are oriented correctly.
Final Thought
Kenmore dryers that don’t heat could have a burned fuse, clogged vent, or faulty valve coil. Lack of electricity is another common cause of a non-heating dryer. It may be a problem with the dryer’s heating element or thermostat if it fails to reach its normal temperature.