If you face a Maytag dryer not heating problem, you can do a few things before calling for service.
Many people assume that if their clothes come out of the dryer wet, it’s because they didn’t close the door all the way and let heat escape. The truth is much more complex than this! There could be many different issues with your dryer that will keep it from heating correctly. This article will give you some simple troubleshooting steps that you can try at home to fix the issue.
How To Fix Maytag Dryer Not Heating Up Problem
In order to fix a Maytag dryer that won’t heat, there are a few things you need to do. You will first want to make sure it’s plugged, and the circuit breaker is on. If it’s plugged in correctly and you don’t find any electrical issues, proceed to the next step as given below.
Clogged Vent
This is the most common cause of a Maytag dryer not heating. When your dryer is functioning properly, the heat created by the appliance causes hot air to flow out of the back of the machine. As the air travels through the vent, it may encounter a couple of obstacles that can slow or stop the drying process.
The more common problem is that the vent has collected old lint over the years and eventually blocked it from blowing air outside. The result is the hot wet air returning to the dryer and soaking your clothes. Also, Long venting run can significantly slow down the dry time, sometimes requiring as many as 2 or 3 cycles to get clothes fully dried.
To check for vent clogs, start a timed drying cycle on high heat. Go to the exhaust vent outside and use your hand to verify that the air is very warm and exiting at a decent flow. If there’s little airflow, it may need some cleaning or replacement. If the temperature in the dryer is too low, there may be an operational issue with the machine. We recommend hiring a professional technician for diagnosis and repair service.
Clogged Lint Screen
If the lint screen is clogged, clean it according to the manufacturer’s directions. A clogged screen can cause your dryer not to heat and will result in damp clothes that take longer than usual to dry.
If the lint filter is obstructed or dirty, it can lead to clothes not drying properly. To clean the lint filter, remove as much excess lint as you can and soak the screen in hot water and dish soap. If it is necessary, use a soft toothbrush to scrub the screen clean.
Uneven Loads
What kind of load are you drying? If your laundry contained a mix of small and large items, that might be the cause. Washing things similar in size together allows for better performance. This is especially true on an auto dry cycle. You may have your clothes turning out unevenly dried, with lighter and smaller items already crisp and dry but the larger, heavier ones still damp at their job.
Blown Thermal Fuse
If your Maytag dryer isn’t heating, the thermal fuse might have blown. The thermal fuse is a safety device that aids in protecting the dryer from overheating.
The location of the fuse varies depending on your dryer model, but it most often is found on the heating element or at the blower housing. If you have a properly functioning fuse, it will indicate continuity. If the fuse becomes too hot, it shuts down to not place the electrical load on the fuse.
This typically means that something is wrong and needs to be diagnosed. If your dryer isn’t heating, you can use a multimeter to test for continuity. A blown thermal fuse may be caused when the exhaust vent from your dryer becomes restricted. Always make sure the exhaust vent is clear of any obstructions before replacing a blown thermal fuse.
Maytag Electric Dryer Not Heating
The Maytag electric dryer is a well-known and loved appliance, but it does have its limitations. If your Maytag electric dryer isn’t heating or drying clothes the way you’re used to, there are some things you can do to make sure everything is working properly. Before calling in an expert, try one of these troubleshooting tips.
Bad Heating Element
Maytag dryers use a heating element inside the appliance to heat and dry clothes. When this element breaks down or burns out, the dryer ceases to get hot. To ensure safety, before checking the dryer for problems, unplug it and switch off its power supply. The heating element of a dryer is in the bottom panel and usually heats up when on.
Occasionally, you’ll find that your heating element is cracked or burned out and needs to be replaced. Other times it may not look damaged but isn’t working anyway! If this happens, replace the heating element with a new one just in case it’s what was causing all of your problems.
You can test the heating element of your dryer for continuity by using a multimeter. If it doesn’t have any, replace it!
Faulty Cycling Thermostat
One possible cause of a Maytag dryer not heating is a faulty cycling thermostat. The cycling thermostat solves the problem by turning on and off at regular intervals to maintain an ideal temperature inside your clothes drum.
When this component breaks, it will no longer cycle on and off, effectively leaving the laundry in danger of overheating or being too cold for its fabric type or weight. You can test if you have a faulty cycling thermostat by measuring continuity with a multimeter across the two terminals located behind the main control knob where wires connect together. If there is none, replace it!
Maytag Gas Dryer Not Heating
A Maytag gas dryer is a reliable appliance for saving time and energy. However, if your dryer isn’t heating properly or you notice unusual sounds, it could be an indication of a problem. This blog post will detail some common symptoms of a malfunctioning gas dryer and offer tips on how to troubleshoot the issue.
Faulty Igniter
The igniter is a key part of the gas dryer, and failure can lead to heat not being generated. A faulty ignition sequence or an obstruction in the exhaust system will also disrupt gas flow that would normally generate heat. The best way to determine if your igniter is faulty or not is by testing its continuity with a multimeter. If the device has no continuity whatsoever- it’s time for a replacement!
Flame Sensor is Not Working
The flame sensor is a device that sends a signal to the gas valve. This tells it when there’s sufficient heat from the flames in order to generate more power. A faulty flame detector will result in insufficient or no heating as well as intermittent operation of the dryer.
The best way to determine if your flame sensor needs replacing is by testing its continuity at room temperature with a multimeter. If it fails the continuity test, then replace it.
Gas Valve Solenoid
Gas dryers have two or more gas valve solenoids. These valves open the ports for gas to flow into the burner assembly. If your dryer doesn’t heat up, check to see if the igniter lights but does not start a flame.
If this is happening, then one or more gas valve solenoids may be faulty. If one or more of the gas valve coils are faulty, we recommend that you replace them as a set to avoid unexpected and inconvenient issues.
We hope this article has helped you understand how to fix a Maytag Dryer that won’t heat. If your dryer’s heating is not working, it may be as simple as replacing the faulty parts and checking for any other problems such as lint or dust clogging up the vents. Remember always use high-quality parts when servicing appliances.