Samsung dryer not heating? Here's why and how to fix it

When your Samsung® dryer isn’t heating, laundry day comes to a full stop. If you open the dryer door after a cycle and find wet clothes, you may wonder whether your dryer needs to be repaired or replaced. The good news is that it’s probably an easy fix. Our experts have answers and can walk you through troubleshooting when your Samsung dryer’s not getting hot. 

Why is my Samsung dryer not heating? 

There are several reasons why your Samsung dryer may not be heating up. Here are a few of the most common: 

• No power. Your dryer won’t heat if it’s not getting enough power. 
• Broken thermal fuse. This safety device prevents the dryer from overheating—If it blows, your dryer won’t heat.
• Worn-out heating element. This component is responsible for generating the heat in your appliance. If it breaks, the dryer won’t work.
• Malfunctioning thermostat. The thermostat regulates the temperature inside the dryer. If it isn’t working properly, your dryer may not heat. 
• Blocked vents. If your dryer vents are dirty or blocked with lint and debris, it may prevent your appliance from moving hot, moist air away from your clothes, resulting in them still being wet at the end of the cycle. 

How to troubleshoot your Samsung dryer that’s not heating up

When you’re wondering, “why is my Samsung dryer not heating?” here are a few things to check and troubleshoot for a possible quick fix. 

Check your power supply 

It sounds obvious, but whether your dryer is electric or gas, it will only work properly if it’s connected to a functioning power source. This can be tricky, because you may think the power’s working, but it won’t get hot if it’s getting insufficient power. Try these steps: 

Electric dryer

1. Unplug the dryer and plug it back in. 
2. Check your home’s circuit breaker or fuse box. If your machine is electric, make sure the breaker that’s attached to the dryer isn’t tripped and that the fuse isn’t blown.

Gas dryer

Dealing with flammable gases without the proper training is dangerous. We recommend calling a repair professional for help.

Inspect the thermal fuse 

1. Unplug your dryer. 
2. Locate your thermal fuse, which is typically a small, white piece of plastic with two wires attached to the blower housing or near the dryer’s heat source. (Check your owner’s manual if you need help.) 
3. Use a multimeter to check for continuity. If the thermal fuse is blown, you’ll need to replace it. If you’re not comfortable doing this repair yourself, call a repair pro for help. 

Check the heating element 

1. Unplug your dryer. 
2. Remove your dryer’s back panel to access the heating element, which is usually found at the back of the appliance. (Check your owner’s manual if you can’t find the part.) 
3. Use a multimeter to test the component. If there’s no continuity, the heating element needs to be replaced. 

Test the thermostat

1. Unplug the dryer. 
2. Locate the thermostat, which is typically found near the heating element, and carefully remove it. 
3. Use a multimeter to test your thermostat. If it’s faulty, you’ll need to buy a new one.

Check your dryer vents 

1. Unplug your dryer and move it away from the wall. 
2. Inspect the vent hose and exterior vent for blockages and clean them out. Check out our step-by-step guide on how to clean your dryer vent. 
3. Make sure to clean your lint filter after every load. 

Still having trouble? If your dryer’s still not heating, a repair pro can help.