Why is my Samsung dryer not heating?

It’s a bummer when your clothes come out damp after spinning in your Samsung dryer. But you don’t have to let that turn your laundry day into a hassle. The good news is that you can fix this issue on your own. Let’s walk through the process so you can get your unit back up and running again!

If you need any replacement parts for your Samsung dryer, you can enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to order them. Most orders arrive in just two business days, and we have thousands of free guides to show you how to install your new parts.

Important: The information provided in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. While we strive to offer helpful advice for DIY appliance repairs, variations in models and configurations can lead to differences in troubleshooting steps, error codes and part replacements. For the most accurate guidance, we strongly recommend consulting the technical sheet for your specific appliance model.

Safety tips

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before you attempt any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by eliminating any risk of electric shock.
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time to cool down before working on it.
• If you have a gas model, shut off the gas supply to prevent any leaks while you work.
• Take your time while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries. Rushing is the enemy of precision.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can see and access appliance parts.
• Keep your workspace free of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check the user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions related to your appliance or replacement part.
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause personal injury.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts and debris.
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
• Always take photos or make a note of wiring terminals or other connections before disconnecting them to make reassembly easier.
• Don’t test live voltage with a multimeter if you’re unfamiliar with how to prevent short-circuiting.

How to troubleshoot your Samsung dryer

Follow these steps to find out why your Samsung dryer isn’t heating.

Check the power supply

1. Make sure the dryer is plugged into a working 240-volt outlet.
2. Check for any signs of damage on the plug or cord, such as fraying or burn marks. Replace the cord if needed.
3. Check your home’s electrical panel and look for any tripped breakers. If one of the two 120V breakers is tripped, flip it back to the “ON” position. If the breakers repeatedly trip, you may need to get an electrician to inspect your home’s wiring.
4. Remove the dryer’s back panel to expose the terminal block where the power cord connects. If the terminal block is damaged in any way, replace it.

LIVE VOLTAGE WARNING: For this test, the appliance needs to be plugged in and powered on. Please be very careful to protect yourself from electric shock, which has the potential to cause serious injuries. Don’t ever test live voltage if you’re uncomfortable using a multimeter.

5. Set a multimeter to AC voltage (VAC) to measure up to 240V or higher.
6. Place one meter probe on L1 and the other on L2 on the terminal block. A reading of 240V indicates the dryer is receiving the correct voltage.
7. Place one probe on L1 and the other on Neutral and check for 120V. Repeat for L2 and Neutral for another 120V reading.

If you get the correct voltage, reattach the back panel and continue troubleshooting. If you get incorrect voltage, contact an electrician to inspect the outlet.

Inspect the lint filter

1. Open the dryer door and pull out the lint filter (also called a lint trap) from its compartment.
2. Use a soft brush or run the lint filter under water to remove all debris. Make sure the lint trap is completely dry before placing it back in the dryer.
3. Shine a flashlight into the lint filter housing to check for additional lint buildup. Use a vacuum to remove any debris inside.

Check the dryer vent

1. Pull the dryer away from the wall and disconnect the vent hose from the back.
2. Look for any visible obstructions or kinks in the hose that may restrict airflow. If the hose is damaged, replace it.
3. Use a vacuum or a vent cleaning brush to clean the vent and the entire length of the hose.
4. Check where the dryer vent exits your home for blockages like leaves or bird nests. Remove any debris that you find.
5. Once cleaned, reconnect the hose to the dryer and the vent and run the dryer on an air-dry cycle. Check the outside vent to see if air is flowing freely.

Test the thermal fuse

1. Disconnect the dryer from the power supply.
2. Depending on your model, remove the back panel or access the blower housing to find the thermal fuse.
3. Carefully disconnect the wires from the thermal fuse terminals.
4. Switch your multimeter to the lowest setting for resistance (Ω).
5. Place the multimeter probes on the terminals of the thermal fuse.
6. Check the meter reading. If the multimeter shows a reading close to 0, the fuse is good. If the multimeter shows “OL” or infinite resistance, the fuse has blown and needs to be replaced.

NOTE: Refer to the manufacturer’s technical information for the most accurate resistance guidelines.

Check the heating element (on electric models)

1. Disconnect the dryer from the power outlet.
2. Remove the back panel or front access panel — depending on your specific model — to find the heating element.
3. Look for any obvious signs of damage, like breaks or burn marks on the heating element.
4. Carefully remove the wires attached to the heating element’s terminals.
5. Switch your multimeter to the resistance (Ω) setting.
6. Place the meter probes on the heating element’s terminals.
7. Check the meter reading. A reading between 10 and 50 Ohms typically means the heating element is working. If the multimeter shows “OL” or 0, then the element is faulty and needs to be replaced.

NOTE: Refer to the manufacturer’s technical information for the most accurate resistance guidelines.

Check the igniter (on gas models)

1. Make sure the gas supply to the dryer is turned on and that the gas line isn’t kinked, blocked, damaged or leaking.
2. Depending on the dryer model, you may need to remove the front or back panel to access the igniter, which is typically located near the burner assembly. It’s a small rectangular or square-shaped part with a wire attached to it.
3. Carefully look over the igniter for any visible signs of damage like cracks, breaks, or discoloration. If it’s damaged, replace it with a new one.

LIVE VOLTAGE WARNING: For this test, the appliance needs to be plugged in and powered on. Please be very careful to protect yourself from electric shock, which has the potential to cause serious injuries. Don’t ever test live voltage if you’re uncomfortable using a multimeter.

4. Switch your multimeter to the voltage setting appropriate for your dryer (usually AC voltage).
5. Place the multimeter probes on the two terminals of the igniter while it’s still connected.
6. Turn on the dryer and start a drying cycle. The igniter should be receiving voltage during the heating cycle. The multimeter should display 120 volts AC if the igniter is receiving the correct amount of power.
7. Watch the igniter during the heating cycle. A functioning igniter should glow brightly. If it doesn’t light up or if there are dark spots on the igniter surface, it will need to be replaced.

Test the gas valve solenoids (on some gas models)

1. Unplug the dryer from the power outlet.
2. Find the gas valve solenoids, which are located on the burner assembly. They are small coils with wire connections.
3. Note the positions of the wires for reassembly later on by taking a picture, then carefully disconnect the wire harnesses connected to each solenoid.
4. Switch your multimeter to the resistance (Ω) setting.
5. Use the meter probes to check the resistance between the two terminals of the two-prong coil. It should read 1,000-1,300 Ohms.
6. Test the three-prong coil by measuring the resistance between prongs 1 & 2 (which should be 1,000-1,300 Ohms) and between prongs 1 & 3 (which should be 500-600 Ohms).

If any readings are outside the normal ranges, replace the faulty gas valve coil.

Test the cycling thermostat

1. Disconnect the dryer from the electrical outlet.
2. Remove the back panel of the dryer or access the blower housing to find the cycling thermostat.
3. Switch the multimeter to the resistance (Ω) setting.
4. Disconnect the wires connected to the bias heater terminals on the cycling thermostat.
5. Place the multimeter probes on the bias heater terminals. If there’s a low resistance reading, the bias heater is functioning correctly. If you get “OL” or infinite resistance, then the bias heater should be replaced.
6. Disconnect the wires from the thermostat terminals.
7. Set the multimeter to continuity mode.
8. Place the multimeter probes on the thermostat terminals. If there’s continuity, the meter should make a beeping sound to show that the thermostat is functioning correctly. If the thermostat doesn’t show continuity, then it needs to be replaced.

Read more: Samsung Dryer Not Heating Help

FAQs

Looking for more? Check out these frequently asked questions about Samsung dryers.

How do I reset the heating element on my Samsung dryer?

Unfortunately, dryer heating elements can’t be reset. If your heating element is faulty, it needs to be replaced. You’ll need to check the element for any visible damage or consult your owner’s manual for specific replacement instructions.

Is there a way to test a dryer heating element?

Yes, you can test any dryer heating element with a multimeter. Here’s how to do it:

1. Disconnect the dryer from the power outlet.
2. Remove the back panel or front access panel — depending on your specific model — to find the heating element.
3. Look for any obvious signs of damage, like breaks or burn marks on the heating element.
4. Carefully remove the wires attached to the heating element’s terminals.
5. Switch your multimeter to the resistance (Ω) setting.
6. Place the meter probes on the heating element’s terminals.
7. Check the meter reading. A reading between 10 and 50 Ohms (refer to the manufacturer’s technical information for the most accurate resistance guidelines) means the heating element is working. If the multimeter shows “OL” or 0, then the element is faulty and needs to be replaced.

Why is my Samsung dryer suddenly not heating?

There are several reasons why your Samsung dryer could suddenly stop heating. The most common is lint or debris buildup in the lint trap, vent or ducting. It’s important to stop using the dryer until you’ve found the problem and fixed it.

Potential reasons why a dryer isn’t heating:

• Clogged venting system
• Clogged lint trap
• Blown thermal fuse
• Bad heating element (on electric models)
• Faulty cycling thermostat
• Power supply problems
• Defective igniter (on gas models)
• Malfunctioning gas valve solenoids (on gas models)

Read more: Samsung Dryer Repair Help

Additional information

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you fix your Samsung dryer.

If you still need some replacement parts, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. We have over two million parts in stock and most orders arrive in two business days. If you need some help with finding the right part or placing an order, you can contact our team at 1 (877) 477-7278.

While you’re waiting for your new part to arrive, you can explore our DIY blog and watch thousands of video tutorials on our YouTube channel.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see our latest repair guides!