Why The Maytag Dryer Not Heating Up [Solution]

Is your Maytag dryer not heating up? Is it heating late or slower compared to usual? If your dryer has any kind of heating-related issue you’ve come to the right place.

If there is a minor issue you can easily troubleshoot the issue without technicians.

Depending upon the model the cause and reason behind the issue can be varied. 

Here in this article, we are going to look at different causes and reasons that can create a heating issue in the Maytag dryer.

In addition, we will also discuss solutions so that you can troubleshoot the Maytag dryer not heating up issues by yourself. 

Why Maytag dryer not heating up?

Maytag dryer heating issues can be triggered due to lack of power, defective heating element or blown thermal switch.

Similarly, a clogged vent or lint screen can also result in late drying or slow drying.

There are various possibilities for why your Maytag dryer is not heating up.

However, we cannot be so sure about these issues unless and until we figure them out by ourselves.

What are the reasons that cause heating-related problems and how to fix them?

Before we begin troubleshooting the problem first we must be sure about the issues.

Some of the issues on the Maytag dryer can easily be troubleshot without the need for technicians.

Maytag dryer not heating up issue is caused due to various reasons. First, we must figure out the issue then we can begin the troubleshooting process.

Here are some possible causes behind the Maytag dryer not heating up the issue. 

1. Blown thermal switch

A blown thermal switch is one of the most common reasons behind the Maytag dryer not heating up problem.

A thermal switch is an electro-mechanical switch that provides safety inside the dryer.

It continuously monitors the temperature and flow of electric current inside the dryer.

Thermal switches prevent the dryer from overheating and short circuits.

However, the problem with the thermal switch is it is non-resettable once it is used you cannot reset the switch again. 

Solution

A faulty switch must be replaced in the dryer because it triggers various problems inside the dryer.

Similarly, it also triggers heating issues in the dryer. Therefore, I suggest you inspect the thermal switch of your dryer. 

Depending on the dryer’s model the location of the thermal switch can vary.

Therefore, it is recommended to check the owner’s manual of your dryer.

If you don’t have the owner manual download it from the official website of Maytag.

Now coming to the point to check the functioning of the Maytag dryer you can use a multimeter.

A continuity test can help you identify if your dryer thermal switch is functioning properly or not. 

If the thermal switch is faulty make sure to replace it. Here is the step-wise instruction to replace the thermal switch of the Maytag dryer. 

1. Before we start the replacement procedure make sure to turn off the power supply on your dryer.
2. Now using a screwdriver unthread the screw of the lower access panel. Detach the panel from the dryer and keep it aside. 
3. The thermal switch is located just beneath the drum. If you are able to access the thermal switch detach the wire from the thermal switch terminal. Unthread the screw securing the thermal switch from the housing. 
4. If you are unable to access the thermal switch beneath the drum. You should remove the drum from your dryer. 
5. To remove the drum first you should remove the upper access panel from the dryer. 
6. After removing the upper access panel removes the bulkhead from the dryer and keep it aside. 
7. Now lift the drum from the dryer and keep it aside. You can now access the thermal switch on your dryer. 
8. After removing the old thermal switch install the new switch on the housing. 
9. Reinstall all the components which you have removed during the process and restart the dryer. 

This is the stepwise procedure to replace the Maytag dryer thermal switch. I hope that this procedure has worked well in your model.

If you have any problems during the process make sure to write them down in the comment.  

2. Clogged lint screen

A clogged lint screen is another reason which can result in the Maytag dryer not heating up problem.

When you are cleaning the dryer I recommend cleaning the lint screen.

Over time lint filters can build up lint and dirt particles which can create an issue in heating the dryer. 

Similarly, a clogged vent can also slow down heating inside the dryer. A clogged vent in the Maytag dryer will block the airflow inside the drum.

This can result in an increased drying cycle and damp clothes even after one complete cycle. 

Solution

If you haven’t cleaned your lint screen and vent for a long time consider cleaning. It can be the reason behind your Maytag dryer not heating up the issue.

First I recommend you to check the vent of your dryer. Here is the step-wise instruction to check the airflow on your dryer. 

1. First of all turn on your dryer. 
2. Set the dryer temperature to the high team and start the timed drying cycle. 
3. Now go to the exhaust vent and put your hand and see if the air is warm or not. And, make sure the airflow should be decent. 

If there is very little airflow you should clean the air vent of your dryer.

Similarly, if the airflow is decent and the air is not warm there could be operational or heating element issues in the dryer.

Besides this, if the lint screen is clogged follow the below procedure. 

1. First of all, remove the lint screen from the dryer. In most of the models, the lint screen is located at the top of the dryer. You can remove it by simply pulling. 
2. Now pull all the visible lint from the lint screen. However, don’t use water to remove the lint from the lint screen. 
3. Using a vacuum cleaner vacuum inside the lint trap opening and pull all the lint remains. 
4. Put the lint screen back in the dryer. 

3. Heating element is defective

The faulty or defective heating element is another reason that causes a heating issue in the Maytag dryer.

If your heating element is defective you will experience wet or damp clothes even after a complete drying cycle. 

In addition to this, your dryer will also throw an error code.

Maytag’s dryer heating element is located at the bottom of the dryer. The replacement of the heating element is quite simple you can do it yourself.

Solution

The solution to the defective heating element is the replacement. If your heating element is defective consider replacing it with a new one.

Here in this section, we are going to discuss a step-wise procedure to replace the Maytag dryer heating element. 

1. Unplug the power cables from the power source. 
2. Remove the screw from the front access panel and keep the panel aside. Before doing this make sure to remove the wire from the door switch terminal. 
3. Now in the bottom right corner, you will see your dryer’s heating element. 
4. Remove the screw securing the heating element shield.
5. Now disconnect the power supply wire from the heating element switch.
6. Also, remove the wire from the high-limit thermostat.
7. Now remove the lower and rear mounting screw from the heating assembly. 
8. Remove the heating assembly from the dryer. And, also remove the screws to separate the heating element housing. 
9. Now you should see the heating element coil inside the assembly. Remove the nut and washer from both ends of the heating element coil. 
10. After removing the nut you can easily remove the coil through the insulator. 
11. Install a new heating element coil through the insulator and secure both ends with the washer and the rings. Make sure the coil is evenly spaced and doesn’t come in contact with itself. 

After installing the heating element coil secure the heating assembly using screws.

Install the heating assembly inside the dryer and secure the assembly with screws.

Now install the bulkhead and secure it using screwdrivers and also install the front access panel. Start a normal drying cycle and see if the dryer is heating up or not. 

4. Hi-Limit thermostat faulty

A hi-Limit thermostat is a safety switch that prevents your dryer from overheating.

If the high-limit thermostat is defective you will notice a heating issue in the dryer.

You can test defective thermostats using a multimeter.

You can do a continuity test to know the defective thermostat. Most of the model thermostat is located just outside the heating assembly. 

Solution

If your thermostat fails during continuity you should replace your thermostat. Here is the stepwise procedure to replace the thermostat. 

1. First, turn off the dryer power supply. 
2. After this remove all the screws securing the front access panel of the dryer. If you have removed all the screws lift the panel and disconnect the wire from the door switch terminal. 
3. Keep the panel aside and unthread the screw securing the bulkhead. Keep the bulkhead aside from the dryer. 
4. Most of the model heating assembly is located at the bottom right corner of the Maytag dryer. 
5. The thermostat is located outside the heating assembly. First, disconnect the wire from the thermostat and remove the screw securing the thermostat. 
6. Install a new thermostat secure it with screws and connect the wire to the thermostat terminal. 
7. Install the bulkhead and front access panel tightly using the screwdrivers. 

After you have installed all the components restart the dryer and see if the dryer is heating or not. 

What to do if the dryer doesn’t heat up?

If you’ve followed all the solution discussed in this article and the problem persist. There must be a technical failure going inside your dryer.

In this situation, I suggest you contact appliance technicians or your dryer supplier.

The dryer comes with a minimum of one year of warranty support.

If it’s been less than 12 months since your purchase you can repair your dryer free of cost.

Check your warranty card to know more about the warranty support and time. 

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Conclusion

Over time electronic appliances like dryers encounter various issues which can be frustrating to deal with. Heating issue is one of them.

It is one of the common issues seen in Maytag dryers. However, with proper guidance and information, you can easily troubleshoot such issue from your applainces

In the above section, we have discussed various troubleshooting tips to fix this problem in your dryer.

Besides this, if you have any query or problem with the above-discussed troubleshooting tips make sure to write it down in the comment. 

Frequently Asked Questions