Why is my Kenmore dryer not heating?

Is your Kenmore dryer not heating? That’s frustrating. But before you haul your wet clothes outside and hang them up to dry, we’ve got some easy fixes for you to try. Asurion Experts answer all kinds of questions about tech and appliances every day. Wondering if your dryer needs to be repaired or replaced? Or whether dryer sheets are bad for your dryer? We’ve got tips to share. Here’s what to do if your Kenmore dryer will not heat.

How to troubleshoot a Kenmore dryer that won’t heat 

There are several reasons your Kenmore dryer may not be heating, from the easy-to-fix, like cleaning your lint filter, to more complicated repairs, like replacing a thermal fuse or your blower housing. Here are a few things to try to get your appliance back up and running:

Check your laundry load

If you toss all your wet clothes into the dryer drum at the same time, your dryer may not get sufficiently hot, especially if you set the timer for a short cycle. If you use auto-dry with a too-full load, the dryer may sense that lighter items like socks or t-shirts are nearly dry and will reduce the heat, leaving heavier things still damp. Try drying similar items together and see if this takes care of your issue. 

Do you have power?

Before you start troubleshooting, check if your Kenmore dryer is connected to power. Your dryer won’t get hot if it’s not connected to a heat source. 

Electric dryers 

1. Unplug your dryer, then plug it back into the power source. 
2. Check the circuit breaker or fuse box in your home. Make sure the breaker that’s attached to the dryer isn’t tripped and that the fuse isn’t blown, which could prevent your dryer from heating. 

Gas dryers

Working with flammable gases without training is dangerous. We recommend calling a repair pro if you suspect a gas-related problem. 

Inspect your dryer vent

If your Kenmore dryer isn’t venting properly, it prevents your appliance from moving hot, moist air away from your clothes to dry them. Your dryer vents are probably dirty or blocked with lint or debris. Try this:

1. Unplug your dryer and pull it away from the wall. 
2. Check the vent hose and exterior vent for blockages and remove the debris. Check out our guide on how to clean your dryer vent. 
3. After you clean your vent, make sure to clean your lint filter after every dryer load. 

Get your thermal fuse checked

If your Kenmore dryer is getting too hot, the thermal fuse trips to stop a fire. This is a safety device in most dryers. If the thermal fuse has been tripped, the dryer will spin but won’t heat, and it likely needs to be replaced.  A tripped dryer fuse is a warning signal that your dryer may be a fire hazard. It’s crucial you have a repair pro inspect your appliance to find and fix the problem. 

Check the heating element 

Your dryer’s heating element transfers heat to the dryer drum to dry your clothes. Here’s how to check it:

1. Unplug your dryer. 
2. Remove your Kenmore dryer’s back panel to find the heating element, which should be located at the back of your machine. (Check your owner’s manual if you can’t find it). 
3. If you’re familiar with this tool, you can test the part using a multimeter. If there’s no continuity, you’ll need to replace the heating element.