GAS DRYER REPAIR
HEATING ISSUES
WHAT YOU WILLL LEARN
- How to find out what's wrong
- Where to get the parts fast and cheap
- How to make the repair
STEP ONE:
Watch this quick video that shows you what to look for when a gas dryer isn't heating properly or select a problem below the video to learn more
Choose Your Dryer Problem Below to Get Started
STEP BY STEP TUTORIALS
HEATING PROBLEMS | ALL DRYER'S
If you have an electric dryer that's not heating up or not getting hot enough always start by checking the circuit breaker panel for a tripped breaker.
If your breaker is ok check the plug then for burnt spots and for 220 volts if that's ok move on to the dryer.
If your gas / propane dryer doesn't want to heat anymore Start by checking the high limit thermostat, heating element and thermal fuse first before even considering replacing the timer.
or if its getting hot but doesn't stay hot start by checking the gas valve coils, and then the high limit thermostat If that doesn't get it going go to the cycling thermostat next.
By this point if its still not heating properly it is a good chance you have a plugged exhaust vent try removing the aluminum exhaust vent and then try running the dryer again.
No plugged exhaust vent or you have he vent off and away from the wall and it still doesn't work?
Well I'm sorry my friend we are out of options... It has to be the control board. Either replace it or get a new dryer. Ebay is a great place for this.
Before doing tests or repairs, unplug the dryer to keep from being shocked. If you have a gas dryer, also shut off the gas supply and disconnect it to give you more room if you need too... If more room is not needed then no need to shut off or disconnect gas line but do still unplug the dryers power cord.
DRYER NOT HEATING ALL THE WAY UP BUT DOES GET HOT A LITTLE BIT
If your gas or propane dryer doesn't want to heat all the way up anymore or if its getting hot but doesn't stay hot, start by checking the gas valve coils, thermal fuse and then the high limit thermostat for continuity.
If that doesn't get it go to the cycling thermostat next. By this point if its still not heating properly it is a good chance you have a plugged exhaust vent try removing the aluminum exhaust vent and then try running the dryer again. Still dont work? Well i'm sorry my friend we are out of options... It has to be the control board.
A dryer uses a simple system to dry your clothes:
An inner drum rotates wet clothes while moving heated air through them to collect the moisture and then carry it out through the exhaust vent. Like most people, you probably use your dryer "at least once a week". Watch the quick videos below to get a good idea of hat does what!
GAS/PROPANE DRYER PARTS
STEP BY STEP TUTORIALS
The thermal cut-off fuse shuts off the heat if the dryer overheats when the high-limit thermostat fails. The thermal cut-off fuse kit includes both parts.
Difficulty:
Simple
Time required:
30 minutes or less
COMBO WASHERS & DRYERS
If your dryer thumps or squeals, replace the drum support roller to restore quiet to your home.
Difficulty:
Simple
Time required:
60 minutes or less
When the air in the dryer overheats—usually because the vent is clogged—the thermal fuse blows, stopping the dryer. You can't reset the fuse; you must replace it.
Difficulty:
Simple
Time required:
60 minutes or less
An electric dryer not heating, even though it’s running, is often due to a faulty dryer heating element. You can test the element with a tool called a multimeter.
The tool tells you if there are breaks in the electrical path.
The reading should be about 15 ohms. If there is no measure of continuity on the meter, replace the dryer heating element.
A gas dryer will run but won’t heat if its thermal fuse blows because the dryer overheated (usually because the vent is clogged, so check the vent path). Use a multimeter to check the thermal fuse and replace the thermal fuse if you don’t’ find continuity.
DIFFICULTY:
EASY
TIME REQUIRED:
30 MINS OR LESS
Dryer Making Noises?
If your dryer is making squeaking or squealing noises, the idler pulley assembly may be the cause. This assembly controls the tension on the drum belt through friction. Over time, the idler pulley may fail.
Regular dryer maintenance such as removing lint, cleaning the vent tube and drum cleaning are recommended to keep your dryer in good shape.
Replace the drum glide bearing if the drum makes a scraping noise and doesn't turn smoothly. Just follow the steps in this repair guide.
Difficulty:
Simple
Time required:
60 minutes or less
When you press the start button do you hear a buzzing or humming sound? Or does your dryer only work for a little bit but when you come back its off and you have to wait like 20 mins or longer and then it will start again?
If so, most likely you have a damaged motor, dryer motors when going bad struggle to rotate the drum then they eventually overheat and just buzz when start is pressed. The dryer and its motor will not turn back on at all until it cools down it will just hum or buzz. Check the lint chute in the back something may be stuck in the blower wheel.
Follow the steps in this dryer repair guide to replace a drive motor. Always make sure there isn't something stuck inside the blower wheel housing before you change the motor.
Difficulty:
Like baking a cake
Time:
60 minutes or less
Tools needed:
Nut driver set
Phillips screwdriver
Putty knife
Slot screwdriver
Vacuum cleaner or shop vac
Wrench set - SAE
Adjustable wrenches
Work gloves
When you press the start button do you hear a buzzing or humming sound? Or does your dryer only work for a little bit but when you come back its off and you have to wait like 20 mins or longer and then it will start again?
If so, most likely you have a damaged motor, dryer motors when going bad struggle to rotate the drum then they eventually overheat and just buzz when start is pressed. The dryer and its motor will not turn back on at all until it cools down it will just hum or buzz. Check the lint chute in the back something may be stuck in the blower wheel.
Follow the steps in this dryer repair guide to replace a drive motor. Always make sure there isn't something stuck inside the blower wheel housing before you change the motor.
Difficulty:
Like baking a cake
Time:
60 minutes or less
Tools needed:
Nut driver set
Phillips screwdriver
Putty knife
Slot screwdriver
Vacuum cleaner or shop vac
Wrench set - SAE
Adjustable wrenches
Work gloves
A rattling noise or lack of air flow through the dryer could indicate that the blower wheel is damaged. Follow the steps in this repair guide to replace the blower wheel in your dryer.
Difficulty:
Simple
Time required:
60 minutes or less
A rattling noise or lack of air flow through the dryer could indicate that the blower wheel is damaged. Follow the steps in this repair guide to replace the blower wheel in your dryer.
Difficulty:
Simple
Time required:
60 minutes or less
GAS & ELECTRIC DRYERS
It's time for a new timer if the timer doesn't move during the cycle or doesn't shut off the dryer when time runs out. Follow these steps to replace it yourself.
Difficulty:
Simple
Time required:
60 minutes or less
ELECTRIC DRYERS
If you have an electric dryer that's not heating up or not getting hot enough always start by checking the circuit breaker panel for a tripped breaker.
If your breaker is ok check the high limit thermostat, heating element and thermal fuse. Below you will find all of the electric dryer parts responsible for the heating. Below that you will find a list o the dryer parts responsible for the spinning of an electric dryer.
If your gas or propane dryer doesn't want to heat anymore or if its getting hot but doesn't stay hot start by checking the gas valve coils, thermal fuse and then the high limit thermostat for continuity.
If that doesn't get it go to the cycling thermostat next. By this point if its still not heating properly it is a good chance you have a plugged exhaust vent try removing the aluminum exhaust vent and then try running the dryer again. Still dont work? Well i'm sorry my friend we are out of options... It has to be the control board.
HOW DOES AN ELECTRIC DRYER WORK?
COMMON ELECTRIC DRYER PROBLEMS:
DRYER PARTS
STEP BY STEP TUTORIALS
The heating element in an electric dryer generates the dryer's heat—it's one of the first things to check if the air in the dryer doesn't get warm. If it's damaged, this repair guide will show you how to replace the heating element.
Difficulty:
Simple
Time required:
30 minutes or less
If your dryer thumps or squeals, replace the drum support roller to restore quiet to your home.
Difficulty:
Simple
Time required:
60 minutes or less
An electric dryer not heating, even though it’s running, is often due to a faulty dryer heating element. You can test the element with a tool called a multimeter.
The tool tells you if there are breaks in the electrical path.
The reading should be about 15 ohms. If there is no measure of continuity on the meter, replace the dryer heating element.
A gas dryer will run but won’t heat if its thermal fuse blows because the dryer overheated (usually because the vent is clogged, so check the vent path). Use a multimeter to check the thermal fuse and replace the thermal fuse if you don’t’ find continuity.
DIFFICULTY:
EASY
TIME REQUIRED:
30 MINS OR LESS
Dryer Making Noises?
If your dryer is making squeaking or squealing noises, the idler pulley assembly may be the cause. This assembly controls the tension on the drum belt through friction. Over time, the idler pulley may fail.
Regular dryer maintenance such as removing lint, cleaning the vent tube and drum cleaning are recommended to keep your dryer in good shape.
If your dryer thumps or squeals, replace the drum support roller to restore quiet to your home.
Difficulty:
Simple
Time required:
60 minutes or less
The thermal cut-off fuse shuts off the heat if the dryer overheats when the high-limit thermostat fails. The thermal cut-off fuse kit includes both parts.
Difficulty:
Simple
Time required:
30 minutes or less
GAS & ELECTRIC DRYERS
It's time for a new timer if the timer doesn't move during the cycle or doesn't shut off the dryer when time runs out. Follow these steps to replace it yourself.
Difficulty:
Simple
Time required:
60 minutes or less
If the dryer doesn't start when you push the button, or starts even if you don't push the button, replace the push-to-start switch.
Difficulty:
Simple
Time required:
30 minutes or less
The thermistor senses the air temperature in the dryer. If your dryer overheats or doesn't heat at all, the thermistor could be the problem.
Difficulty:
Simple
Time required:
30 minutes or less
The thermal cut-off fuse shuts off the heat if the dryer overheats when the high-limit thermostat fails. The thermal cut-off fuse kit includes both parts.
Difficulty:
Simple
Time required:
30 minutes or less
When the air in the dryer overheats—usually because the vent is clogged—the thermal fuse blows, stopping the dryer. You can't reset the fuse; you must replace it.
Difficulty:
Simple
Time required:
60 minutes or less
When the air in a gas dryer overheats—usually because the vent is clogged—the thermal fuse blows, stopping the dryer from heating. You can't reset the fuse; you must replace it.
Difficulty:
Simple
Time required:
30 minutes or less
An electric dryer not heating, even though it’s running, is often due to a faulty dryer heating element. You can test the element with a tool called a multimeter.
The tool tells you if there are breaks in the electrical path.
The reading should be about 15 ohms. If there is no measure of continuity on the meter, replace the dryer heating element.
A gas dryer will run but won’t heat if its thermal fuse blows because the dryer overheated (usually because the vent is clogged, so check the vent path). Use a multimeter to check the thermal fuse and replace the thermal fuse if you don’t’ find continuity.
DIFFICULTY:
EASY
TIME REQUIRED:
30 MINS OR LESS
Dryer Making Noises?
If your dryer is making squeaking or squealing noises, the idler pulley assembly may be the cause. This assembly controls the tension on the drum belt through friction. Over time, the idler pulley may fail.
Regular dryer maintenance such as removing lint, cleaning the vent tube and drum cleaning are recommended to keep your dryer in good shape.
The igniter in a gas dryer glows white hot during the to light the gas that heats the air in the dryer. If the dryer air doesn't warm up, the igniter could be the problem. This guide shows how to replace it. Glow igniters are only in gas and propane dryers.
Difficulty:
Simple
Time required:
60 minutes or less
The thermistor senses the air temperature in the dryer. If your dryer overheats or doesn't heat at all, the thermistor could be the problem.
Difficulty:
Simple
Time required:
30 minutes or less
GAS & ELECTRIC DRYERS
It's time for a new timer if the timer doesn't move during the cycle or doesn't shut off the dryer when time runs out. Follow these steps to replace it yourself.
Difficulty:
Simple
Time required:
60 minutes or less
ELECTRIC DRYER PARTS
STEP BY STEP TUTORIALS
When the air in the dryer overheats—usually because the vent is clogged—the thermal fuse blows, stopping the dryer. You can't reset the fuse; you must replace it.
Difficulty:
Simple
Time required:
60 minutes or less
The heating element in an electric dryer generates the dryer's heat—it's one of the first things to check if the air in the dryer doesn't get warm. If it's damaged, this repair guide will show you how to replace the heating element.
Difficulty:
Simple
Time required:
30 minutes or less
The thermal cut-off fuse shuts off the heat if the dryer overheats when the high-limit thermostat fails. The thermal cut-off fuse kit includes both parts.
Difficulty:
Simple
Time required:
30 minutes or less
The thermistor senses the air temperature in the dryer. If your dryer overheats or doesn't heat at all, the thermistor could be the problem.
Difficulty:
Simple
Time required:
30 minutes or less
GAS & ELECTRIC DRYERS
It's time for a new timer if the timer doesn't move during the cycle or doesn't shut off the dryer when time runs out. Follow these steps to replace it yourself.
Difficulty:
Simple
Time required:
60 minutes or less
COMMON PROBLEMS
ELECTRIC / GAS DRYER: DOESN'T TURN ON
If an electric dryers thermal fuse goes out it will cause the entire machine not to work.
If your dryer's drum won’t turn, or squeaks the dryer most likely has a worn out roller bearing or messed up belt tensioner pulley.
To fix the bearing, remove the belt and try to turn the wheels with your hand. If the wheels don't turn, the bearings needs to be greased with bearing grease or replaced.
If the dryer drum turns easy by hand you broke your belt. If you hear the dryers motor running but the dryer drum doesn’t turn, the drive belt is broken. If it makes a buzzing or humming noise when you hold the start button it has something in the lint chute stopping the fan blade from turning most likely. This is common in dryers that have the lint screen on top.
When you press the start button do you hear a buzzing or humming sound? Or does your dryer only work for a little bit but when you come back its off and you have to wait like 20 mins or longer and then it will start again?
If so it is most likely you have a damaged motor, defective drive motor struggles to rotate the drum or might not turn the drum at all.
Follow the steps in this dryer repair guide to replace a drive motor. Always make sure there isn't something stuck inside the blower wheel housing before you change the motor.
Difficulty:
Like baking a cake
Time:
60-90 minutes or less
Tools needed:
Nut driver set
Phillips screwdriver
Putty knife
Slot screwdriver
Vacuum cleaner or shop vac
Wrench set - SAE
Adjustable wrenches
Work gloves
HOW TO REPLACE A ELECTRIC DRYER MOTOR
When you press the start button do you hear a buzzing or humming sound? Or does your dryer only work for a little bit but when you come back its off and you have to wait like 20 mins or longer and then it will start again?
If so it is most likely you have a damaged motor, a motor when its going bad struggles to rotate the drum or might not turn the drum at all. If it buzzes or hums its most likely bad or somethings stuck in the lint chute.
Follow the steps in this dryer repair guide to replace a electric dryer motor. Always make sure there isn't something stuck inside the blower wheel housing before you change the motor.
Difficulty:
Like baking a cake
Time:
60-90 minutes or less
Tools needed:
Nut driver set
Phillips screwdriver
Putty knife
Slot screwdriver
Vacuum cleaner or shop vac
Wrench set - SAE
Adjustable wrenches
Work gloves
COMMON PROBLEMS
It can be surprising when you start an electric dryer only to come back a few hours later to find your clothes are still wet. If your electric dryer starts and then stops too soon, a dryer thermal fuse could be the culprit if you have an electric dryer.
The dryer thermal fuse is a safety mechanism that detects the temperature of air flowing to the outside vent. If the air too hot, the fuse blows, stopping an electric dryer (a gas dryer keeps running but won’t heat). Unfortunately, if the thermal fuse trips, it must be replaced before the dryer will work again.
To keep your dryer running the way it should, pay attention to signs that the machine may be starting to fail. A dryer not drying well today may signal that it is time to make needed repairs.
When you press the start button do you hear a buzzing or humming sound? Or does your dryer only work for a little bit but when you come back its off and you have to wait like 20 mins or longer and then it will start again?
If so, most likely you have a damaged motor, dryer motors when going bad struggle to rotate the drum then they eventually overheat and just buzz when start is pressed. The dryer and its motor will not turn back on at all until it cools down it will just hum or buzz. Check the lint chute in the back something may be stuck in the blower wheel.
Follow the steps in this dryer repair guide to replace a drive motor. Always make sure there isn't something stuck inside the blower wheel housing before you change the motor.
Difficulty:
Like baking a cake
Time:
60 minutes or less
Tools needed:
Nut driver set
Phillips screwdriver
Putty knife
Slot screwdriver
Vacuum cleaner or shop vac
Wrench set - SAE
Adjustable wrenches
Work gloves
Check the power source first, because it could be the problem, rather than the dryer itself. If the dryer is completely plugged in, check the circuit breaker for your dryer.
Problems with the door switch can prevent the dryer from starting. Shut the dryer door fully to activate the door switch. To test the switch, open the door press in the door switch lever.
If the drum light doesn’t turn off, a failed door switch is the likely reason the dryer won’t start.
You’ll find the thermal fuse on the blower housing. Unplug the dryer and check the thermal fuse for continuity. Replace the thermal fuse if the multimeter measures no continuity.
Rarely a broken push-to-start switch can prevent the motor from running. Use a multimeter to check for continuity through the push-to-start switch. Replace the push-to-start switch if you don’t measure continuity through the wires between the push-to-start switch and motor. It could instead be that the timer has a broken motor switch contact.
All dryers 10 years old or younger have a circuit board that operates the dryer and its functions. A fried circuit board prevents the dryer from starting. Unplug the dryer and then find the control board and check it. It might have burn marks or areas that are shorted out.
When you press the start button do you hear a buzzing or humming sound? Or does your dryer only work for a little bit but when you come back its off and you have to wait like 20 mins or longer and then it will start again?
If so, most likely you have a damaged motor, dryer motors when going bad struggle to rotate the drum then they eventually overheat and just buzz when start is pressed. The dryer and its motor will not turn back on at all until it cools down it will just hum or buzz. Check the lint chute in the back something may be stuck in the blower wheel.
Follow the steps in this dryer repair guide to replace a drive motor. Always make sure there isn't something stuck inside the blower wheel housing before you change the motor.
Difficulty:
Like baking a cake
Time:
60 minutes or less
Tools needed:
Nut driver set
Phillips screwdriver
Putty knife
Slot screwdriver
Vacuum cleaner or shop vac
Wrench set - SAE
Adjustable wrenches
Work gloves
A dryer not drying clothes may because of a broken part or because the dryer isn’t getting enough power to operate. Before you start looking at the interior of the dryer, check the plug, power cord and breakers:
Make sure the dryer is securely plugged in and that there is no damage or wear to the plug or cord.
If you have an electric dryer, check the breaker box to make sure the breaker hasn’t been thrown. Since your dryer operates on 240 volts, only one-half of a double breaker may be thrown. This could explain a dryer not heating even though it is running.
If you have a gas dryer not heating (or not running at all) you should check the breaker and do the gas dryer fast check. Once you do the fast check you can then know more or less what's wrong and know how to fix your dryer much much easier and efficiently
- DRYER WILL NOT RUN
BELT/BELT SWITCH
MOTOR
DOOR SWITCH
ELECTRONIC CONTROL
LINE VOLTAGE
HARNESS/CONNECTION
MOTOR RELAY
PUSH TO START (PTS) SWITCH
DRYER WILL NOT HEAT
THERMAL FUSE
HIGH LIMIT THERMOSTAT
GAS VALVE
CENTRIFUGAL SWITCH
THERMISTOR
ELECTRONIC CONTROL
LINE VOLTAGE
HARNESS/CONNECTION
HEATER RELAY
DRYER HEATS DURING AIR FLUFF/NO HEAT CYCLE.
HARNESS/CONNECTION
HEATER RELAY
FABRIC CARE / TEMPERATURE SWITCH
ELECTRONIC CONTROL
DRYER WON’T SHUT OFF
PUSH TO START (PTS) SWITCH
HARNESS/CONNECTION
MOTOR RELAY
MOISTURE SENSOR
ELECTRONIC CONTROL
DRYER SHUTS OFF BEFORE CLOTHES ARE DRY.
HARNESS/CONNECTION
MOISTURE SENSOR
THERMISTOR
ELECTRONIC CONTROL
MAY NEED TO CHANGE TIMER SETTING TO A MORE DRY SETTING
TIMER CONTINUOUSLY ADVANCES / WRINKLE GUARD DOES NOT RUN
HARNESS/CONNECTION
TIMER
Dryer Will Not Run
1. Unplug dryer or disconnect power.
2. Check connector pins in P2 connector of the electronic control to verify they are making good connections.
3. Check the PTS (Push To Start) switch continuity when pressed. It should show continuity while pushed in. If not, replace the PTS switch.
4. Perform Door Switch Test, page 5.
5. Perform Belt Switch Test, page 5.
6. If the motor started but did not continue to run, and components checked in steps 2 through 5 were OK, replace the electronic control assembly.
7. If motor did not start replace the motor.
PROBLEM: Dryer Will Not Heat
1. Perform Supply Connections Test
2. Perform High Limit Thermostat Test
3. Perform Thermal Fuse Test,
4. Perform Gas Valve Test
PROBLEM: Dryer Heats During Air Fluff / No Heat Cycle
1. Perform Fabric Care / Temperature Switch Test
2. Unplug dryer or disconnect power.
3. Check continuity of heater relay contacts. COM to NO should be open. If not, replace the heater relay.
4. With dryer fully assembled, plug in dryer or reconnect power.
5. Set to AIR FLUFF / NO HEAT. If the dryer still heats:
âž” Unplug dryer or disconnect power.
âž” Replace the electronic control assembly
IMPORTANT: Electrostatic (static electricity) discharge may cause damage to electronic control assemblies
PROBLEM: Dryer Won’t Shut Off
1. With the dryer fully assembled, set the timer to OFF. If the dryer starts running as soon as it is plugged in:
âž” Unplug dryer or disconnect power.
âž” Replace the timer.
2. Set the following configuration:
â– Dryer - power cord plugged in
â– Door - must be closed
â– Fabric Care / Temperature switch - COTTON TOWELS / HIGH
â– Timer - TIMED DRY for less than 10 minutes
3. If the dryer starts running before the Push to Start (PTS) switch is pressed:
âž” Unplug dryer or disconnect power.
âž” Replace the PTS switch.
âž” If, after replacing the PTS switch,
I
If the dryer still starts before the PTS switch is pressed:
âž” Unplug dryer or disconnect power.
âž” Replace the motor relay.
4. If the dryer does not stop after the set time elapses:
âž” Unplug dryer or disconnect power.
âž” Check the motor relay. Continuity of relay should be open from COM to NO. 5.
If the dryer will not terminate its cycle when set to AUTO MOISTURE SENSING PLUS:
âž” Unplug dryer or disconnect power.
âž” Check the moisture sensor.
âž” If there is continuity to Ground for Yellow/Red (Y/R) wire with no load, look for a short in the sensor or Y/R wire. Verify harness connections both at the sensor and the electronic control.
âž” If the sensor and Y/R wire are good, replace the electronic control assembly
PROBLEM: Dryer Shuts Off Before Clothes Are Dry
1. Test the moisture sensor by following the procedure outlined in the Diagnostic Test, page 1
. If the moisture sensor fails the Diagnostic Test (does not produce a beep sound):
âž” Unplug dryer or disconnect power. âž” Check the moisture sensor. âž” If there is continuity to Ground for Yellow/Red (Y/R) wire with no load, look for a short in the Sensor or Y/R wire. Verify harness connections both at the sensor and the electronic control. âž” If the Sensor and Y/R wire are good, replace the electronic control assembly.
. If Diagnostic Test is passed, verify thermistor by performing test procedures outlined in Thermistor Test
If problem persists after replacing moisture sensor and thermistor:
âž” Unplug dryer or disconnect power.
âž” Replace the electronic control assembly.
PROBLEM: Timer Continuously Advances
1. Unplug dryer or disconnect power.
2. Verify the Blue wire and the Black L1 wires are in the correct positions.
3. Test the timer by following the procedure outlined in the Diagnostic Test, page 1.
4. If the timer continues to advance past OFF, then replace the timer.