15 Reasons Why Kenmore Dryer Not Heating Up [Fixed]

When you use the Kenmore dryer, your clothes get dry in a few hours. However, sometimes the Kenmore dryer stops working after some time or does not heat up.

This is quite annoying as you can’t get your clothes dried.

In such circumstances, you need to check whether there is any blockage in the vent of your Kenmore dryer or filter.

If everything appears okay and clear, then it’s high time for you to troubleshoot the problem with your Kenmore dryer.

You just need to follow these simple troubleshooting tips to resolve the Kenmore Dryer Not Heating up problems.

How do I fix a Kenmore dryer that isn’t heating up?

15 Reasons Why Kenmore Dryer Not Heating Up [Fixed]

Identifying the Kenmore Dryer not heating up problem can be very tough if you don’t have the proper tool or guide.

First of all, you need to have all the basic tools which will be required if basic troubleshooting doesn’t work for you.

You will need a screwdriver, probably a wrench (to open some parts of the dryer), a putty knife, a multimeter device,

and the Kenmore dryer user manual so that you know where the specific part is located in the dryer.

Basic Troubleshooting of Kenmore Dryer Not Heating Up Problem

Check the Power/Fuel Supply

The first thing to check if the Kenmore dryer isn’t heating up is the power or fuel supply.

It is important to make sure that the dryer is receiving the right amount of power.

If it is an electric Kenmore dryer, then make sure that the power outlet supplies proper power.

You can check this by plugging another device into the outlet and checking if it is getting power.

Moreover, if it is a gas dryer, ensure that the gas tank has enough gas and the gas lines are not blocked.

For the Kenmore gas dryer, make sure that the gas valve or the cock is not turned off.

Check the Wiring

If you think your dryer’s wiring is faulty, then you should go for troubleshooting.

Check all the connections and wires of the dryer and find out whether any wires are loose.

If you find any loose wire, then you need to re-connect it properly.

Voltage testers can also be used to determine whether the wires have any voltage or not.

If you find any voltage in the faulty wire, then you need to replace it. If you find no voltage in the wires, then the problem is somewhere else.

You can also check the dryer’s control panel wiring to find out if any wire is loose or broken.

Check Cycling Thermostat

A thermostat is a component that is common in electric as well as gas dryers.

If your Kenmore electric or gas dryer is not heating up, it is highly possible that the thermostat is not functioning properly.

To check this, you need to unplug the dryer from the power, and then you need to locate the thermostat.

Depending upon which Kenmore dryer you have, it can be located on different sides of the dryer.

If you have a Kenmore elite dryer, then you need to open the rear panel with a screwdriver.

Locate the thermostat, which has a small oval shape and is about 1 or ½ inches in size.

Detach the thermostat and check for continuity using a multimeter at room temperature. Replace the thermostat if continuity cannot be established.

Check Incoming Power

If the Kenmore dryer not heating up problem still occurs, then it could be due to improper incoming power. Most of the Kenmore dryers come with two legs, each of 120 volts, equaling 240 volts.

If a dryer’s fuse or breaker trips, it can continue to run but won’t heat. Fuse or breaker replacement may be required if this happens.

By using a multimeter at the power outlet, you can check the circuit breaker or fuse box for proper voltage.

Common Reasons for Kenmore Dryer Not Heating Up Problem

Clogged Vents

If your dryer’s not heating up and you think everything is fine inside the dryer, then you should check the dryer’s vents. It is very much possible that the Kenmore dryer’s vents are clogged.

To check the vent, open the dryer’s lid, and inspect if there is any object, such as clothes or lint.

Also, take a look at the exhaust pipe. If it is clogged, then clean and unclog it.

In order to ensure that the Kenmore dryer vents are not clogged, you should check if the air from inside is able to come out or not.

If the air cannot escape, a clogged vent can cause the Kenmore Dryer not to heat up.

To ensure that there are no clogged vents, make sure all the vents and exhaust are debris-free.

If you are not able to clear out the clogged vents, then ask for a technician’s help.

Uneven Loads

If the Kenmore dryer not heating up problem still occurs, then there is a high chance that your load is uneven.

The uneven load may cause the airflow inside the dryer to be obstructed. As a result, your dryer will not heat up and will stop working.

To resolve this issue, you need to load your dryer evenly. The clothes you put inside your dryer should not completely fill the dryer.

Moreover, you should also keep the heaviest clothes at the bottom of the dryer.

Also, you should not dry clothes of different sizes together. For instance, you should not dry a blanket with jeans.

Try to load the dryer with similar size clothes. This will distribute the weight evenly inside the dryer. This way, your dryer will work efficiently and heat up evenly.

Clogged Lint Screen

Your dryer’s airflow is blocked due to a clogged lint screen. You need to clean the lint screen of the dryer and unblock the airflow.

To clean the lint screen, open the dryer’s door and take out the lint screen.

Now clean the lint screen using a brush or dish soap. After cleaning the lint screen, you need to check if your Kenmore dryer’s heating up again.

If your dryer still does not heat up, then you should follow the next method or call a repairman to check the problem and fix it.

Faulty Exhaust Hood Seal

The next thing to check if your Kenmore dryer is not heating up is the exhaust hood seal.

It is highly probable that the exhaust hood seal has been damaged with overuse of the dryer, and it is not able to capture all the moisture out of your clothes.

This can lead to the Kenmore Dryer Not heating up problem. Further, it can also lead to building mould and mildew.

To fix this, you need to check the seal. And if it is faulty, replace it.

Open the dryer door and check if there is any cool air coming from the vent. If yes, then the seal will require a complete replacement.

How to Replace Felt Seal in Kenmore Dryer?

First of all, unplug the Kenmore dryer from the power outlet.

Unscrew and detach the control panel. Depending on the model, you may require a putty knife to do this, so make sure to check the user guide.
Also, remove the main top by unscrewing and lifting it up.
To detach the lower panel, you need to insert a flathead screwdriver.

Next, you need to remove the lint screen, grounding wire, and all the screws holding it.
Disconnect the moisture sensor and the door switch wire connector.
Push the pulley and release the belt tension

Use the belt to lift up the dryer’s drum.
Remove the old seal and install a new one.
Reattach all the components and wires, and mount all the screws back.

Damaged Thermal Fuse

The thermal fuse of your dryer is meant to protect the motor from overheating.

If the dryer overheats due to some reason, then the thermal fuse will blow and stop the current.

Once the dryer cools down, the thermal fuse automatically resets and turns on the current.

If you find your dryer’s not heating up, then there is a high chance that the thermal fuse has blown.

You can check if the thermal fuse has blown by switching on the dryer and looking at the fuse.

If the fuse lights up, then it has not blown. If the fuse doesn’t light up, then it has blown.

You can also check a thermal fuse for continuity. If it doesn’t show continuity in the multimeter, this means that the current is not flowing through the thermal fuse.

Moreover, the thermal fuse can be easily replaced. Just check the Kenmore dryer user guide.

Bad Heating Element

If everything else checks out, then you might have a problem with the heating element of your Kenmore dryer.

You need to replace the heating element if it is faulty. The heating element heats up the dryer’s drum.

Once the heating element gets faulty, the dryer won’t heat up. You can test the heating element by turning on the dryer and putting your hand near the heating element.

If the heating element is faulty, then you will feel low heat near the heating element.

How to Replace Kenmore Dryer Heating Element?

Turn off the dryer and unplug it.
Remove the back panel using a ¼ inch nut driver.
Locate the heating element and disconnect all the wires.

Remove the heating element and all the mounting screws. Pull off the heater box.
The high-limit thermostat needs to be relocated to the new heating element by removing it from the existing heating element.
Install the new heating element by lining it up on the heater box and the mounting screw holes. Tight the screws.

New heating elements need to be connected properly to the wires.
Place back the back panel and mount all the screws back in their place.
Plug in the dryer and check to see if the Kenmore dryer is not heating up problem still persists.

Check Main Control Board

If the heating element assembly is working fine, then you probably need to check the main control board of the dryer.

There is no way to test the control board, so if other elements of your Kenmore dryer are working fine, then it is probably the control board that is causing the issue.

To check this, you need to locate the main control board using your Kenmore dryer user manual.

Take a look at the control board and check if there are any burning or short-out signs.

If you smell burning on the main control board, then you will need to replace it completely.

How to Replace Main Control Board in Kenmore Dryer?

Turn off the dryer and unplug it.

Remove the top of the dryer by using a putty knife and removing all the mounting screws.
Locate the control panel.
You will need to tilt the control panel in order to remove the wire access. But make sure you don’t stretch the wires, as they can break.

Next, detach the control board from the control panel.
Look for any short-out and burning signs.
If there are burn-out signs, you will need to replace the main control board.

Install the new control board by transferring the clear plastic pieces from the old board to the new one.
Carefully align the matching components to the new control board.
Once all the parts are aligned, place the control board in position and connect the wires.

Resemble the Kenmore dryer and check if the problem still persists.

Defective Timer

If everything else checks out, then the problem might be with the timer of your Kenmore dryer.

However, this is a very rare case. Before checking the timer, you need to check all the elements of the dryer,

and if everything else is working fine, then it is probably the timer that you need to replace.

A timer is a mechanism that contains a lot of technical elements. Hence we request you hire a professional and get the defective timer replaced.

Faulty Igniter (Kenmore Gas Dryer)

If you have a Kenmore gas dryer, then you are more likely to face some other issues, like a faulty igniter.

It is the component that enables the heat to get inside the dryer. If it doesn’t work, you need to replace it completely.

To check a faulty igniter, you need to test it for continuity using a multimeter.

If it doesn’t show continuity, you need to get it replaced by a professional technician.

Flame Sensor Not Working (Kenmore Gas Dryer)

In Kenmore gas dryers, a flame sensor is what detects the heat from the flame. If the flame sensor fails to work, then the dryer won’t heat up, which will cause the issue.

To begin with, you should check for a faulty igniter, and if it is working fine, the issue is probably occurring due to flame sensor failure.

You can also check a flame sensor using a multimeter. In the case of no continuity, it needs to be replaced.

Defective Gas Valve Solenoid (Kenmore Gas Dryer)

In a Kenmore gas dryer, the component known as a gas valve solenoid is responsible for regulating the flow of the gas.

It regulates the flow of gas to the burner, and in the event that it has an electrical short, you will face the Kenmore dryer not heating up the issue.

Checking the continuity of a gas valve solenoid can also be done with the help of a multimeter. You will need to replace it if there is no continuity between the two terminals.

Conclusion

These are the reasons why your Kenmore dryer may not be heating up. If you want to prevent this, the best solution is to clean your dryer’s lint filter after every use.

This will also prevent fires and other issues that can arise from clogged dryers.

If your dryer isn’t heating up and you’ve gone through all the troubleshooting steps above, consider hiring a professional to fix your dryer.