Dryer Not Heating? Why Clothes Come Out Damp and How to Fix It
Your dryer runs but clothes come out cold and damp. The 4 most common causes are cheap fixes you can do yourself.
Still stuck after this guide? You can ask an HVAC technician online — see pricing, expert credentials and common questions first.
The Most Likely Cause: Blown Thermal Fuse
The thermal fuse is a safety device that cuts power to the heating element if the dryer overheats. Once blown, it does not reset — the dryer runs but produces no heat. This is the cause about 40 percent of the time. The fuse is located on the blower housing or exhaust duct inside the dryer. Unplug the dryer, remove the back panel, and find the small oval-shaped fuse. Test it with a multimeter for continuity. If it shows no continuity, it is blown. Replacement fuses cost 5 to 15 dollars. Important: a blown thermal fuse means your dryer overheated, so also clean the vent duct to prevent it from blowing again.
Cause 2: Clogged Lint Vent Duct
A clogged vent duct restricts airflow so the dryer cannot exhaust moisture. Clothes stay damp and the dryer overheats. Disconnect the vent hose from the back of the dryer and clean it with a vent cleaning brush kit (about 15 dollars at any hardware store). Also check the exterior vent flap to make sure it opens freely. A fully clogged vent can take dryer cycle times from 45 minutes to over 2 hours and is also a serious fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration estimates about 2,900 home clothes dryer fires a year, with failure to clean as the leading factor.
Cause 3: Failed Heating Element
Electric dryers use a coiled wire element to produce heat. Over time, these elements can break or burn out. With the dryer unplugged, locate the heating element (usually behind the front or rear panel depending on your model). Visually inspect the coil for breaks or burn marks. Test with a multimeter. A replacement heating element costs 25 to 50 dollars and involves disconnecting two wires and removing a few screws. Gas dryers use an igniter and gas valve instead — if the igniter glows but gas does not flow, the gas valve solenoids need replacement.
Cause 4: Incorrect Dryer Setting
Before disassembling anything, check your dryer settings. If the dryer is set to Air Dry, Fluff, or No Heat, it will tumble without heating. Make sure you have selected a heated cycle like Normal, Heavy Duty, or Timed Dry with the temperature set to Medium or High. Also check that the dryer is not in an Energy Saver or Eco mode that reduces heat output. This sounds basic but accounts for about 10 percent of no heat complaints.
