A dryer that runs but is not heating should be addressed quickly to avoid wasted time, higher energy use, and potential safety issues. When a dryer is not heating, the most common causes are airflow restrictions, lint buildup, or safety controls preventing the heat cycle from engaging. These issues often appear before any major component fails and should be checked first.
Understanding this early helps you troubleshoot correctly and avoid unnecessary repairs.
Dryer Not Heating Usually Starts With Airflow
Airflow Blockage and Back Pressure Stop the Heat Cycle
The most common issue we see with dryers that are not heating is restricted airflow. One frequent culprit is a screen added to the duct exhaust. That screen can collect lint quickly, and once it clogs, air cannot travel through it properly. As back pressure builds, the airflow switch may not engage the way it should, and the dryer may not heat.
Here is the practical focus for this step:
- Look for a screen on the exhaust or duct termination
- Check whether lint is covering the screen
- Confirm the exit path is not restricted by lint buildup
Sensors and Older Machines React Differently
Even when two dryers show the same symptoms, they may respond differently depending on the controls and sensors inside the unit. Many dryers use airflow sensing or safety logic that can shut down heating when airflow is incorrect. Older machines may behave differently, but the outcome is often the same: poor airflow can stop the dryer from heating. That is why the quick airflow checks matter. They address the most common cause regardless of the dryer’s age.
Key Takeaway: Airflow problems often shut down heating first. Clear the exit path and remove lint restrictions before you assume the dryer needs major parts.
Need expert help with the dryer not heating? Contact RJ Kool for a free consultation.
Quick Checks That Often Resolve the Problem
Clean Lint Out of the Unit and the Exit Path
The quickest fixes are often lint-related. Start by cleaning the lint trap area and confirming that lint is not restricting the exhaust path. If lint blocks the exit route, airflow cannot move correctly, and the dryer may not heat even when the ignition system and heating components are capable of working.
A clear checklist helps keep this step consistent:
- Clean lint from the lint trap area and accessible cabinet areas
- Check the duct and termination for lint restrictions
- Remove lint buildup that creates back pressure
Do Not Let a Small Add-On Create a Big Restriction
A screen on an exhaust looks harmless until it loads up with lint. Once it clogs, it can restrict airflow enough to create back pressure and stop heating. This is why routine cleaning matters. It prevents small, avoidable restrictions from turning into no-heat symptoms.
Pro Tip Box: If you use a screen on the exhaust, clean it regularly. Lint buildup on that screen is a common reason a dryer stops heating.
Preventative Maintenance Inside the Dryer Matters
Lint Can Clog the Burner and Affect Gas Release
Preventative maintenance inside the dryer matters just as much as cleaning the exhaust path. Lint can build up in and around the burner assembly. When that happens, the gas and airflow mixture may not behave the way it should, which can interfere with ignition and heating performance.
That breakdown often looks like this:
- The dryer attempts ignition
- Lint disrupts burner airflow or flame detection
- The system fails to light properly
- After a few tries, the dryer may lock out and stop heating
Annual Cleaning Reduces Lighting and Ignition Failures
Keeping the machine clean inside can minimize no-heat problems and reduce ignition-related failures. Removing the front panels, vacuuming out lint, and cleaning burner components annually can go a long way toward preventing dryers from failing to light. Igniters and spark igniters can fail over time, but many no-heat calls come back to lint, buildup, and restricted airflow.
If you want a clear plan and professional service that targets the real causes, schedule a visit with RJ Kool when you have a dryer not heating issue.
