Kenmore Elite dryers are known for their high-quality performance, so when something goes wrong, finding the right solution can be difficult.
You might be wondering what to do if your Kenmore elite dryer won’t heat up. We will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to fix dryers that aren’t heating up, and we’ll walk you through some common fixes.
Reasons and solutions for Kenmore elite dryer not heating:
Kenmore elite dryers may not heat due to a malfunctioning thermostat. The causes include clogged vents, dirty lint filters, defective heating elements, uneven loads, blown thermal fuses, and faulty ignitions. Clean vents, lint filters, and heating elements to fix this problem.
It is possible, however, that the problem is related to the wiring of the machine in some rare cases.
It is in this case that you should take your dryer to a service technician for repair. The following are some of the most common reasons why Kenmore elite dryers do not heat.
Faulty thermostat:
You can overheat or stop heating your machine because of a malfunctioning thermostat. You can test the thermostat by unplugging the dryer for a few minutes and then plugging it back in.
There might be a problem with your wiring if the heat still does not work. The thermostat needs to be replaced or repaired by a service technician, or you can replace it yourself.
Clogged Vent:
Heat may not be coming out of the Kenmore Elite HE4 if something is blocking the vent.
You can check the vent for obstructions by looking inside and around it. Unless you see anything obvious, you may need to take your machine in for service since a clogged vent is difficult to fix.
Dirty Lint Filter:
Your Kenmore Elite HE3 dryer may also experience problems due to a dirty lint filter. If this is the case, remove the lint filter and examine it for debris or dust.
You will need to replace the filter if there is any accumulation of debris. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself, you can have your machine serviced.
Defective Heating Element:
It’s also possible that the Kenmore Elite oasis st dryer has a defective heating element if the heat isn’t coming out.
Unscrew two screws on the back of your machine and remove the heating panel to see if this is the case. If the element needs to be replaced, you will need to purchase a new one and have it installed by a professional.
Uneven Loads:
You may have something blocking the heat from reaching the other side of your load if your machine only heats one side. This can be due to the weight or object in between the cabinet and the heating element.
To fix this issue, you will need to take apart your dryer and move any obstructions out of the way. Once everything has been moved, test whether or not your machine will now heat evenly across all loads
Thermo fuse blown:
The thermal fuse may have blown if no heat is coming out of the dryer. Wait 30 seconds after turning off your machine to test this.
The thermal fuse needs to be replaced if the power comes back on after 30 seconds. You can repair your machine yourself or take it to a repair shop.
Solenoid faulty on the gas valve:
Kenmore Elite gas dryers will not operate if there is a problem with the gas valve. You can test this by removing the cover that sits over your gas valve and checking for debris or malfunctioning parts.
Your machine will need to be inspected by a professional technician if you find anything out of order.
Igniter malfunction:
You may also have a faulty igniter in the Kenmore Elite steam dryer if you are not getting any heat from your dryer.
Wait 30 seconds after turning off your machine to test this. You would need to replace the igniter if the power comes back on after 30 seconds.
No flame sensor is working:
A malfunctioning flame sensor will prevent your machine from heating up. Make sure nothing is obstructing your flame sensor by removing the cover that sits over it.
A professional technician will need to inspect your machine if anything seems out of order.
How to reset Kenmore elite dryer thermostat?
Thermostats on Kenmore elite dryers often stop working properly, which is a common problem. This situation may occur from time to time, and for the thermostat to work properly again, you will have to reset thermostat.
The best way to do this is to turn off the power to your dryer and wait 10 minutes for it to completely cool down before you turn it back on.
By pressing on both sides at once and pulling until it comes loose, remove the back panel.
You will find two silver buttons inside the device; you will need to press them inwards simultaneously (they should spring back) and hold them while turning the dials until the letter “N/A” appears on the display screen.
Upon completion of the Dryer Thermostat Reset process, your process should be complete if all went according to plan.
If the Thermostat does not reset after following these instructions, a professional technician will have to come out and repair or replace the thermostat on your machine.
Is it worth replacing a heating element in a dryer?
The heating element in your dryer should be replaced if it isn’t working properly. Various problems can occur when a heating element fails, such as poor drying performance and even fires, as a result of a defective heating element.
When it comes to the cost of replacing a heating element in a dryer, it is about $120 for an entry-level model, and it goes up from there, depending on the type and brand of dryer you own.
If you have a model that is more than ten years old, then you probably need to replace the heating element of that model.
If your dryer is still under warranty, you may not need to replace the heating element if it is still within the manufacturer’s warranty period.
However, before you make any repairs or replacements to an appliance, you should always verify that the appliance works and performs properly. There is a good chance that the unit should be repaired or replaced if there are any abnormalities with it.
How to replace the heating element in Kenmore elite dryer?
The first thing you should do if your Kenmore elite dryer isn’t working is check if the heating element is broken.
The thermal fuse or thermostat might need to be replaced if it isn’t. You can replace the heating element in Kenmore elite dryer by following these steps.
Firstly, remove the four screws holding the top cover in place by popping them off. To remove the front panel, push up on both sides and pull until it comes off.
You will find a silver magnetically attached heating element inside your dryer. You will need to remove the top and front panels of your dryer to locate the heating element.
It is located near where the power cord enters into the dryer section from the Home Appliances section once you remove the top and front panels.
This silver magnetically attached part is very easy to remove. You simply need to gently press down on it with a flat head screwdriver and it will pop out.
By reversing the steps, you took to remove the heating element, you can install a new one.
Once the heating element has been replaced, replace everything together and screw on the top cover and front panel. Make sure all your screws are reconnected before putting everything back together.
When performing this repair, you may also want to check the following. When your dryer is overloading, this could be caused by a faulty heating element that has caused the dryer to overheat. As a result, you will need to replace the entire appliance in this case.
Getting lint or fabric particles caught on the heating element can cause damage and eventually result in a fire if there are any lint or fabric particles caught on it. Ensure that all debris around the heating element is cleaned off before it is reinstalled.
Final Thoughts
Briefly, Kenmore elite dryers do not heat due to defective heating elements, uneven loads, blown thermal fuses, and faulty gas valves. Remove and replace the heating element first. The troubleshooting process can then proceed to other parts of the dryer if the first part is functioning properly.