Generally, before a Maytag dryer can dry wet clothes, it must get hot. That’s, however, not a given as some issues may prevent it from heating up; as we shall see in this Maytag dryer troubleshooting no heat guide.
An electric Maytag dryer won’t heat due to failed power, incorrect setting, poor laundry loading, lint clogging, or defective fuse or heating element. Additionally, a Maytag gas dryer won’t get hot due to failed gas supply or a bad flame sensor or igniter.
So, there are several angles and issues to consider when your Maytag dryer fails to heat up, regardless of whether it’s electric or gas-powered. But as you’ll learn, you can troubleshoot most of these issues, and this guide will help you do just that.
Some issues only require minor fixes like cleaning, proper laundry loading, and setting changes, while some may require replacing the failed component. What’s essential, nonetheless, is that you can identify the issues to enable you to take the right action.
Let’s dive in!
In a rush? Consider the nine issues mentioned earlier and their troubleshooting below.
A Quick Guide to Maytag Dryer Troubleshooting No Heat
| – | Likely Cause | Fix |
| Maytag Electric Dryer | ||
| 1. | Failed Power | Ensure the dryer is firmly plugged in, the socket and power plug are working, and the breaker is not OFF |
| 2. | Incorrect Setting | Avoid Air-Fluff, Wrinkle Prevent, or any other low-heat/no-heat setting |
| 3. | Poor Laundry Loading | Don’t overload the dryer or load excessively wet clothes |
| 4. | Lint Clogging | Clean the dryer vents and lint screen |
| 5. | Defective Fuse | Replace the thermal fuse if it fails the multimeter’s positive continuity test |
| 6. | Defective Heating Element | Replace the heating element if it won’t pass the multimeter’s positive continuity test |
| Maytag Gas Dryer | ||
| 7. | Failed Gas Supply | Turn on the gas supply valve and replace a defective solenoid |
| 8. | Defective Flame Sensor | Replace the sensor if it fails the multimeter’s positive continuity test |
| 9. | Defective Igniter | Replace the igniter if it fails the multimeter’s positive continuity test |
Why is My Maytag Dryer Not Getting Hot?
Depending on whether your Maytag dryer is electric or gas-powered, below are the issues that can stop it from getting hot:
- Lack of power
- Incorrect dryer setting
- Poor laundry loading
- Lint clogging
- Defective fuse
- Defective heating element
- Failed gas supply
- Defective flame sensor
- Defective igniter
Let’s now discuss these issues under their respective Maytag dryer types.
Electric Maytag Dryer Not Heating – Troubleshooting
Consider these six issues if your Maytag electric dryer won’t get hot:
1. Lack of Power
Your dryer has to power on first before it can heat up. Often, that depends on an adequate power supply. If the dryer lacks power, it won’t start; if it doesn’t, it won’t get hot.
Overall, here are some power-related issues that could stop your Maytag dryer from starting and heating:
- Loose plugging – If the dryer is not firmly affixed to the socket, it won’t get enough power; therefore, the chances of not turning on are higher.
- Extension cord – The dryer might not get enough power if plugged into the extension cord, not the socket.
- Non-working socket – Maytag dryers need a socket with a voltage supply of at least 240V. If that’s not the case, the dryer won’t start. Similarly, the dryer won’t turn on if the socket is blown up, which may happen during a power surge.
- Faulty plug – If the power plug is not working, perhaps damaged or blown up, it won’t allow electricity to pass through. Ultimately, that’ll stop the dryer from powering on and getting hot.
- Tripped breaker – A power surge can also cause the circuit breaker to trip up – the goal being to protect the dryer. Once that’s the case, the dryer won’t receive any power.
Fix
Start by ensuring the dryer is firmly affixed to the wall socket – not the extension cord. The outlet should be 240V-rated; if unsure, talk to the local electrician.
Meanwhile, if you can access the multimeter, use it to check if the socket and the plug have continuity. If they don’t, replace them. And if the circuit breaker is OFF, flip it back on.
2. Incorrect Dryer Setting
Your Maytag dryer won’t get hot if the setting is all wrong. We are talking about a no-heat setting such as Air-Fluff, where the dryer only blows air with no heat. It could also be a low-heat setting such as Wrinkle Prevent, whose role is to prevent wrinkling.
If any such settings are on, the dryer won’t get hot.
Fix
Familiarize yourself with the different Maytag dryer settings and avoid a low-heat or no-heat option like Wrinkle Prevent and Air Fluff. Ensure you use the correct setting to match the wet laundry.
3. Poor Laundry Loading
Sometimes the Maytag dryer won’t get hot due to a slight issue like loading the laundry inappropriately. That includes the following:
- Loading excessively wet clothes – Yes, the garments should be damp but not dripping. If they are dripping, then the dryer may perceive that as a mechanical fault and may, as a result, fail to run.
- Overloading the dryer – Don’t go past the dryer’s ¾ capacity. If you do, there won’t be enough room for hot air circulation or for the clothes to turn, and consequently, the dryer will stay cold.
Fix
Stop the dryer and inspect the garments to see if they are dripping wet. If they are, first run the spin/drain cycle to eliminate the excess water. That’s, however, avoidable by manually wringing out the water or running the spin cycle while the clothes are in the washer.
And while loading the wet laundry into the dryer, ensure you don’t overload it. It shouldn’t be more than ¾ full.
4. Lint Clogging
The dryer has two essential components that are critical in facilitating good airflow. Without proper airflow, the dryer may fail to heat up or take forever to get hot; at times, it may overheat.
These two components are the lint filter and dryer vent. Over time, the lint filter and dryer vent may clog up with lint. When they do, the clog restricts airflow, making it hard for the dryer to get hot.
Fix
If the lint filter and dryer vents are lint-clogged, you should clean them. You can clean the lint filter with soap and mild detergent but vacuum the dryer vents.
5. Blown-Up Thermal Fuse
The thermal fuse is designed to protect the dryer when it starts overheating. Instead of the dryer burning up, the thermal fuse takes the heat and blows up instead. Once that happens, the dryer cannot run and will fail to get hot.
Fix
Test the thermal fuse with the multimeter. If it won’t show positive continuity, replace it.
6. Defective Maytag Dryer Heating Element
Another component that could fail and stop the dryer from heating up is the heating element. This dryer component’s job is to heat the arriving cold air, enabling the dryer to get hot.
It may, however, wear out or overheat and burn, and once that’s the case, it’s unable to heat the cold air. As a result, the dryer remains cold.
Fix
Test the heating element similar to the thermal fuse using the multimeter. If it fails to show positive continuity, replace it.
Maytag Gas Dryer Troubleshooting No Heat
As for a Maytag gas dryer, you have to consider all the above issues (except a defective heating element) and these three:
1. Failed Gas Supply
Your Maytag gas dryer needs adequate gas to run and get hot. Sometimes, however, you may forget to turn on the gas shutoff valve, and if so, gas won’t reach the burner, and the dryer will fail to get hot.
Also note that the gas dryer has a special valve, the solenoid, which may fail and stop gas flow to the burner. If the burner doesn’t get adequate gas, it won’t ignite, and the dryer will fail to get hot.
Fix
Check if the gas supply shutoff is perpendicular to the gas supply tube. If it is, that shows it’s off, and you should turn it parallel to the supply tube to open it up.
Meanwhile, see if the flame glows briefly and goes out. If that’s the case, the solenoid is likely faulty and thus needs a replacement. But before replacing it, check if the flame sensor and igniter (discussed next) are working.
2. Defective Flame Sensor
As the name suggests, the flame sensor detects the flame, allowing the burner to heat up and make the dryer hot. However, it can fail in its job; when it does, the dryer cannot get hot.
Fix
You can check if the flame sensor is working using a multimeter. The absence of positive continuity confirms that – thus calling for a flame sensor replacement.
3. Defective Igniter
The igniter lights up the incoming gas at the burner to enable the dryer to heat up. The burner won’t ignite if defective, and the dryer will stay cold.
Fix
Test the flame sensor like the igniter and replace it if it fails to show positive continuity.
People Also Ask
1. What Can Cause a Maytag Dryer Not to Heat?
Different things can cause a Maytag dryer not to heat up. They include the following:
- Failed power or gas supply (in the case of gas dryers)
- A low-heat or no-heat dryer setting or cycle
- Excessive wet laundry
- Soaking-wet laundry
- Defective heating element
- Burnt thermal fuse
- Failed igniter or flame sensor (for gas dryers)
2. But How Do I Know If My Heating Element Is Bad in My Maytag Dryer?
You can tell a bad or burnt heating element using a working multimeter. If the heating element won’t show positive continuity, that proves it’s bad. In such a case, you should replace it.
Also note that a bad heating element will prevent your Maytag dryer from starting, getting hot, and drying your wet clothes. So, that’s another way to know if it’s bad.
3. How Do You Fix a Maytag Dryer That Won’t Heat?
You can only fix a Maytag dryer that doesn’t heat up if you know why in the first place. Here are some suggestions, however:
- Ensure the dryer has power
- Check the setting to ensure you are not using Wrinkle Prevent or Air Fluff
- Check the load to ensure the drum is not overloaded and the wet clothes are not dripping wet
- Inspect the lint filter and vents and clean them if they are lint-clogged
- Test the thermal fuse and heating element for positive continuity and replace them if they fail the multimeter check
Concluding Remarks on Maytag Dryer Troubleshooting No Heat:
Shared above are the basics of troubleshooting a non-heating Maytag dryer. Start by ensuring your dryer has power, the laundry is well loaded, the setting is correct, and the lint filter and vents are clean. Then replace the thermal fuse or heating element if they lack positive continuity.
And if it’s a gas-powered Maytag dryer, ensure its gas supply is not disrupted, and the flame sensor and igniter are working. And if you can’t find the fault or fix the dryer, contact the nearest dryer expert.
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