LG dryer not heating: airflow first, elements second
Washer & Dryer
Photo: cottonbro studio / Pexels When a dryer runs but does not heat, the temptation is to replace the heating element. In practice the element is often fine and a thermal safety device has opened — and those devices open because airflow was restricted. Replacing the fuse without fixing the airflow simply repeats the failure.
Start at the vent, not the machine
Restricted venting is the root cause of most no-heat calls. Lint accumulates along the duct run, and the longer or more elbowed the run, the faster it builds. A dryer that has been taking progressively longer to dry over several months was telling you this before it stopped heating.
Thermal fuse and thermal cut-off
These are one-time safety devices. When the machine overheats because air cannot escape, they open permanently and cut the heating circuit while leaving the motor running — which is exactly the symptom of tumbling without heat. They are inexpensive parts, but replacing one without clearing the vent guarantees a repeat visit.
The heating element itself
Elements do fail, and they are tested for continuity. An open element reads no continuity. It is worth noting that an element can also fail partially, producing weak heat rather than none, which is a subtler complaint and easier to miss.
Gas models: igniter and valve coils
On gas dryers, no heat usually means the igniter is not reaching temperature or the valve coils are not opening. The sequence is observable: the igniter should glow, then the gas should ignite. Watching which stage fails tells you which part to test.
The moisture sensor and short cycles
A different complaint that looks similar: the dryer heats but stops early, leaving clothes damp. That is the moisture sensor reading dry when it is not, often because fabric softener residue has coated the sensor bars. Cleaning them with a little rubbing alcohol is worth trying first.
Frequently asked questions
How often should the dryer vent be cleaned?
Annually for most households, more often with a long duct run, a large family, or if you dry bedding frequently. It is the single highest-value dryer maintenance task.
Is a dryer that takes two cycles to dry a fault?
It is a symptom. Usually venting, sometimes a partially failed element or a moisture sensor. It is worth addressing — it also roughly doubles the running cost.