Kenmore Dryer Not Heating: Causes and Fixes

When a Kenmore dryer tumbles but gives no heat, Kenmore's own manuals point first to power and gas: a blown house fuse or tripped breaker on an electric model, or a gas supply that is turned off on a gas model. A restricted vent is the next suspect. If power, gas and venting are all fine and there is still no heat, a part has likely failed and a technician should test it.

Kenmore appliances were sold through Sears, and Kenmore dryers span many model lines with different controls and codes. Find the use and care guide for your exact model number before you start. For the same problem on any brand, see our general guide to a dryer not heating.

This site is an independent directory of local repair companies. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by Kenmore.

Safety first

• Unplug an electric dryer or turn off its breaker before you move it or work on the vent. Kenmore's vent-cleaning steps start with unplugging the dryer too.
• Gas dryer: if you smell gas, do not touch light switches, the dryer controls or a phone near the smell. Leave the house, then call your gas utility or 911 once you are outside.
• Do not open the cabinet or test live parts unless you are trained. Electric dryers run on 240 volts.

Checks you can do yourself

1. Check fuses and breakers

Kenmore's Elite steam dryer use and care guide lists a blown fuse, tripped breaker or power outage as the first cause of no heat. It also notes that an electric dryer can run without heating because of a circuit problem. Electric models in that guide need a separate 240-volt circuit fused at 30 amps on both sides of the line, so one side can trip while the drum keeps turning. Reset the breaker or replace the fuse, but do not put in a larger fuse. If the breaker keeps tripping, have an electrician check the circuit.

2. Check the gas supply

On gas models, Kenmore says the gas supply may be off. Make sure both the house gas shutoff and the dryer's own shutoff are fully open. The manual notes a gas dryer can run without gas and show no error code at all, so a cold drum with no message does not rule this out. Some Elite models show gAS when the supply is off. Leave gas line work to a qualified installer; our gas dryer repair directory lists companies that handle it, and our guide to a gas dryer not heating covers the burner side.

3. Read the display codes

Codes differ by model, so use the guide for your dryer. On the Kenmore Elite steam dryers covered in that guide:

• tE1 to tE7: a temperature sensor has failed. Turn the dryer off and call for service.
• PS or nP: the power cord connection is wrong. On a new or moved dryer, the cord wiring at the terminal block should be checked.
• d80, d90, d95: the exhaust duct is roughly 80, 90 or 95 percent blocked. Kenmore says not to use the dryer until the exhaust is cleaned or repaired.
• Blinking CHECK VENT: the vent is restricted by lint, crushing, or a run that is too long or has too many turns.

4. Clean the lint filter and vent

Kenmore notes that lint blocking the vent slows drying, and a blocked vent is also a fire risk. Kenmore advises cleaning the lint trap after every load. If the screen looks clogged when you hold it up to the light, the Elite guide says to scrub it with hot soapy water and a stiff brush, then let it dry fully.

To clean the vent, Kenmore says to unplug the dryer, pull it away from the wall, disconnect the duct from both the dryer and the wall, and vacuum lint out of the duct, the wall vent and the back of the dryer. The Elite guide calls for 4-inch rigid or semi-rigid metal duct, no plastic or foil, and cleaning the duct at least once a year. The U.S. Fire Administration adds that you should never run a dryer without its lint filter. Our clogged dryer vent guide lists the warning signs.

Parts a technician usually tests

If power, gas and the vent all check out and the dryer is still cold, the problem is likely inside the machine. A technician will usually test these parts:

A thermal fuse that blew from overheating is likely to blow again if the vent stays clogged. Our dryer thermal fuse guide explains why fixing airflow matters.

When to stop and call a pro

• The fuses, breakers and gas valves are fine, but the dryer still makes no heat.
• A tE code appears. Kenmore says that needs service.
• CHECK VENT keeps blinking for more than five cycles after the vent has been cleared, which the Elite guide says calls for service.
• You smell burning or the cabinet gets unusually hot. Stop using the dryer.
• The problem involves the gas burner, gas valve or gas line.

You can find local technicians in our Kenmore dryer repair directory, including city pages for Charlotte and Nashville. Have your full model number ready, since Kenmore dryers vary widely by model line.

What a no-heat repair costs

Angi puts a typical no-heat dryer repair at about $80 to $420, depending on the part. Fixr lists heating element replacement at $150 to $350, thermostat replacement at $100 to $260, and gas igniter replacement at $100 to $250. Angi lists thermal fuse repair at $80 to $130 and a service call at $50 to $80. Our dryer repair cost guide covers other repairs.

If your dryer is older, Fixr suggests replacement makes more sense around 10 years of age, and Angi says a repair costing more than about half the price of a new dryer usually is not worth it. Our guide on how long dryers last can help you weigh it.