If your KitchenAid dryer is not heating, this guide will take you through the common reasons why and how you can fix them. If the dryer is heating but taking a long time to dry your clothes, the dryer likely has a lint blockage restricting the airflow. If the dryer has stopped heating altogether, there are a range of parts that can be tested and replaced to fix the problem.
This guide applies to the following KitchenAid models:
KEYE550VWH0
KEYE560WWH0
KEYE650VWH0
KEYE660WWH0
KEYE660WWH1
KEYE664WWH0
KEYS700JT1
KEYS710JQ1
KEYS710LQ0
KEYS710LQ1
KEYS750JQ1
KEYS750JT1
KEYS750LQ0
KEYS750LQ1
KEYS750LQ2
KEYS750LT0
KEYS750LT1
KEYS750LT2
YKEYS710JQ0
YKEYS710JQ1
YKEYS710LQ0
1. Blocked Airflow
If your KitchenAid dryer is still heating but heating slowly and generally doing a poor job of drying your clothes, there is likely a problem with the airflow. The lint screen should be emptied after each cycle. If the lint screen gets blocked up, the moisture in the air stays in the dryer drum longer, causing the dryer to take longer to dry your clothes.
Like the lint trap, a blockage in the ventilation hose or duct will reduce the dryer’s ability to dry your clothes. There is also a greater chance of lint damaging other parts of your dryer. If you can access the outside vent, you can test the ventilation is working by checking for a warm, consistent airflow. Cleaning out the ventilation will improve your dryer’s heating performance and reduce the risk of a fire starting due to a lint blockage.
- Unplug the dryer from the power source and turn off the gas (gas dryers).
- Take out the ventilation hose by removing the metal tape, unscrewing or unclipping it from the rear of the dryer. Removing the panel surrounding the ventilation area can provide better access to the area.
- Check that the ventilation area and hose are free of lint.
- Clean out the ventilation duct with a vacuum attachment or vacuum ventilation cleaning kit.
- Reconnect the ventilation hose to the dryer, making sure it is not kinked or bent so that air can flow freely through the hose.
2. Tripped Circuit Breaker
If your KitchenAid dryer has suddenly stopped heating, check the circuit breaker panel or fuse box. An electric dryer has two breakers, one for heating and one for power. Sometimes, the breaker responsible for heating gets tripped, which means the dryer runs but does not heat.
- Check your electrical panel for tripped circuit breakers or fuses.
- Reset any tripped circuit breakers and replace any blown fuses.
- The dryer’s breakers can also be checked with a multimeter to make sure each circuit is delivering the 120 volts (110 volts on some models) that the dryer needs to work properly.
3. Heating Element (Electric Dryers)
If your KitchenAid dryer is not heating, one of the most common reasons is a fault with the heating element. The heating element consists of a coil of wire inside a metal casing. If the coil breaks or overheats, the heating element will likely stop working. A partially damaged heating element may also cause the dryer to overheat. Sometimes, a break in the coil can be difficult to spot, so it pays to use a multimeter to test the heating element coils.
- Unplug the dryer from the power source.
- Locate the heating element by referring to the dryer manual. Depending on the model, you will need to remove the front or rear access panel.
- Check the heating element for signs of burning or coil breakage. If the coil is broken, the heating element will need to be replaced.
- Use a multimeter to test the heating element for continuity. Replace the heating element if it fails the multimeter test.
4. Thermal Fuse
Another reason why your KitchenAid dryer may not be heating is a faulty thermal fuse. The thermal fuse is a safety device to prevent the dryer from catching fire. Older KitchenAid models typically have a thermal fuse that allows the dryer to keep working when tripped but without the heat. Newer models tend to feature a thermal fuse that, when tripped, turns off the dryer. If you determine the thermal fuse is at fault, make sure to determine what caused it to blow and fix the issue.
- Unplug the dryer from the power source and turn off the gas (gas dryers).
- Consult your dryer’s manual to locate the thermal fuse. Depending on the model, you will need to remove either the top, front, or rear access panel.
- With the access panel removed, locate the thermal fuse, usually on the blower housing or at the dryer’s heat source, and remove it.
- Test the thermal fuse for continuity with a multimeter.
- Replace a defective thermal fuse with a new one.
5. Gas Valve Solenoid
Gas dryers use a gas valve solenoid to allow the flow of gas into the burner assembly. The gas valve solenoid has two or three coils, which, when damaged, will not allow the dryer to heat. The coils can be examined for breaks or burning and tested with a multimeter to determine if they are defective. The igniter can also be checked to see if it glows and goes out but does not ignite the gas, which would indicate the gas valve solenoid is defective.
- Unplug the dryer from the power source.
- Turn off the gas supply to the dryer.
- Use your dryer’s manual to locate the gas valve solenoid. Remove the appropriate access panel.
- Remove the coils from the gas valve solenoid.
- Use a multimeter to test the coils for continuity.
- Replace any defective coils.
Additional Causes
The following parts can also wear over time and cause heating issues. Consult your KitchenAid dryer manual to locate the part. Remember to disconnect the dryer from the power source and turn off the gas before accessing these parts. Test each part with a multimeter to determine if it needs to be replaced.
- High-Limit Thermostat
- Cycling Thermostat
- Flame Sensor (Gas Dryers)
- Igniter (Gas Dryers)
- Timer