A dryer that doesn’t heat up results in a pile of wet clothes and just as many questions. Why is my LG dryer not heating properly? Overloading it with clothing leaves little room for warm air to circulate, leaving clothes wet. Troubleshoot an LG dryer not drying with these problem-solving tips.
Why is My LG Dryer Not Heating Like It Should?
While part failures could be behind an LG dryer not heating, user error or a lack of maintenance are also possibilities. Here’s how to determine what’s going on and restore your dryer’s function.
Overloaded Dryer
If the pile of laundry in your dryer goes all the way to the top or you load it with more than one wash load, it’s overloaded. Too many clothes in the dryer restrict air circulation, leaving clothes wet at the end of a drying cycle. While it seems as though your LG dryer won’t heat properly, it’s really the limited airflow that isn’t drying clothes.
Avoid overloading by only filling the dryer with one wash load at a time. Filling it no more than ¾ of the way full will allow for sufficient air circulation and dry clothes more quickly.
Dryer Vent Clogged
A clogged dryer vent is one of the most common reasons for an LG dryer not heating. While a dryer’s lint screen catches most of the lint that develops during drying cycles, some still escape and collect in the vent. Over time, lint and other debris can accumulate to the point where it restricts airflow out of the vent. When this happens, the dryer may not heat up or, even worse, it can overheat, causing malfunctions and even dryer fires.
Cleaning your dryer vent every 6-12 months can prevent these clogs and ensure that your dryer heats properly. This involves disconnecting the vent from the wall and the dryer and cleaning its interior with an appliance brush and vacuum hose attachment. Our cleaning tips further detail what to do if dryer vent is clogged, breaking the process down into 3 simple steps.
Dryer Has Blown Thermal Fuse
The thermal fuse is a safety device that blows when the dryer is in danger of overheating, protecting against part failures. Once the fuse blows, you’ll find your LG dryer not heating or even turning on until it’s replaced. Most fuses are near the dryer’s blower wheel or heat source. If multimeter testing shows that the fuse has no continuity, it has blown and must be replaced.
Since clogged dryer vents are a common cause of overheating, check the vents before replacing the fuse and clean them, if necessary. If the dryer vents are clean and a second fuse blows, a professional service should assess for other potential causes of overheating.
Defective Heating Element
Is your electric dryer blowing cold air? It’s possible that its heating element has failed. An electric dryer’s heating element houses wires that generate heat when they receive an electrical current. Over time, the wires can burn out, leaving the dryer unable to produce heat. If an LG dryer heating element shows no continuity with multimeter testing, it must be professionally replaced.
Is your dryer running but not heating or doesn’t start on command? Our technicians can perform an expert dryer repair to resolve any issue. Call D&T Appliance Service today!
