LG Dryer Not Heating: Causes and Fixes

When an LG dryer tumbles but stays cold or takes forever to dry, LG's own support guidance points to restricted airflow first: a lint-packed filter, a crushed duct or a stuck outside vent flap. Energy Saver mode and sensor-dry settings can also make a working dryer look like it is not heating. If the vent is clear, the settings are right and there is still no heat, a part has probably failed and it is time for a technician.

This site is an independent directory of local repair companies. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by LG. For the same problem on any brand, see our general guide to a dryer not heating.

Safety first

• Unplug the dryer, or switch off its breaker, before you pull it away from the wall or disconnect the vent.
• Gas dryer: if you smell gas, do not flip switches, use controls or make calls near the smell. Leave the house and call your gas utility or 911 from outside.
• Electric dryers run on 240 volts. Leave the cabinet closed unless you are trained to test live parts.

Checks you can do yourself

1. Read the display

LG dryers often tell you what is wrong. An nP code means the dryer is not detecting current at the heater, which LG says usually traces back to home wiring. PS points to a voltage problem in the power cord. d75, d80, d90 or d95 means the exhaust duct is partly clogged, and on gas models d80 can also mean the dryer is not getting gas. Our LG dryer error codes guide covers the full list.

2. Turn off Energy Saver

On many LG dryers, Energy Saver is on by default for the Cotton/Normal cycle. LG explains that it dries without heat for much of the cycle, so loads take longer and the drum can feel cool. Press the Energy Saver button to turn it off for one cycle. On some models, holding the default on/off button for about 3 seconds turns it off as the default.

3. Reset the breaker

For nP and PS codes, LG suggests turning the dryer's breaker off for at least 10 seconds, then back on, and making sure the cord is firmly plugged into a grounded 240V outlet. If the code comes back, LG recommends having a licensed electrician check the outlet voltage. If the outlet is fine and the dryer still will not heat, it needs repair.

4. Clear the airflow path

LG treats blocked airflow as the most common cause of no-heat and slow-dry complaints. Work from the inside out:

• Lint filter: clean it before every load, and wash it with water now and then to remove buildup.
• Behind the dryer: the exhaust duct should be rigid or semi-rigid metal, not crushed or kinked, and run straight or in a gentle S-curve with no holes or loose joints.
• Outside: run an Air Dry cycle, find the outside vent and make sure the flaps open fully. If they will not open, LG says to replace the vent cover. Pull out any lint you can see.
• Inside the walls: if drying is still slow, LG recommends a professional vent cleaner check the duct for lint, its total length and the number of 90-degree bends.

Some LG dryers with FlowSense will flag a clogged duct for you, and on connected models the ThinQ app can send an alert when the ducts need cleaning. The U.S. Fire Administration notes that lint buildup is a fire risk, so a slow, hot-running dryer is worth fixing quickly. See our guide to clogged dryer vent warning signs.

5. Check sensor dry and the sensor bars

LG's sensor cycles stop when the moisture sensor bars in the drum read the load as dry, using a dryness level that defaults to Normal. Small loads, sheets, single bulky items and mixed loads can fool the sensors and come out damp. Use a timed or manual dry cycle for those. LG also suggests wiping the sensor bars monthly with a damp cloth and letting them dry fully. If clothes are warm but still wet, our guide to a dryer not drying goes deeper.

6. Gas models: confirm the gas supply

If a gas LG dryer shows gAS, LG says to make sure the gas supply valve is fully open and the line is not kinked. On a new install, call the installer. If the valve is open, the line is fine and there is still no heat, LG says the dryer needs repair. Do not work on gas connections yourself. Our gas dryer not heating guide explains what a gas technician checks.

7. Try LG's Installation Test

Many LG dryers have a built-in Installation Test. You start it with a model-specific button combination, and the dryer shows internal temperature readings over a couple of minutes. LG's support article uses how much those readings rise to separate an airflow restriction from a heating system fault. If the test points to heating, LG's advice is to schedule a repair.

Parts that commonly cause no heat

Once power, settings and airflow are ruled out, a technician will test the parts that make and control heat. On most dryers, that includes:

• Heating element (electric): the coil that makes heat. A broken coil means the drum turns but stays cold.
• Thermal fuse and high-limit thermostat: safety parts that cut heat when the dryer overheats, often because of a clogged vent. A blown fuse is a symptom, so the vent should be checked too. See our dryer thermal fuse guide.
• Thermistor: the temperature sensor the control board reads. LG lists tE1 and tE3 as thermistor errors.
• Igniter, flame sensor and gas valve coils (gas): the parts that light and hold the burner flame.
• Power cord and terminal block: a loose or wrongly wired cord can starve the heater of voltage, which LG ties to the PS code.
• Control board: less common, and usually tested last.

When to stop and call a pro

• The same code returns after a reset and a vent cleaning.
• You smell burning, or the cabinet or vent gets very hot.
• It is a gas dryer and the gas supply checks out, or you smell gas at any point.
• The breaker trips again, or you see scorched wires at the cord.
• The vent is clear but the dryer still produces no heat at all.

You can find local technicians who work on these machines through our LG dryer repair directory, including companies in Houston and Chicago.

What a no-heat repair costs

Angi puts dryer repairs for a no-heat problem at roughly $80 to $420, and says a service call fee typically runs $50 to $80. Typical part repairs, as priced by Fixr and Angi:

Angi suggests replacing rather than repairing if the repair would cost more than about half the price of a new dryer. Our dryer repair cost guide has more detail, and how long dryers last can help with the repair-or-replace call.

Keep it from happening again

• Clean the lint filter every load and the sensor bars monthly.
• Keep the duct short, metal and uncrushed.
• Have the full vent run cleaned once a year, as LG and the NFPA both recommend.
• Do not run the dryer when you leave home or go to bed.