There is nothing more irritating than running your dryer and finding out that your clothes are still wet and your dryer is not working properly. So, why is your dryer running, but not heating? There could be a couple of reasons why, including a tripped circuit breaker, clogged vents, no gas flow, and many more.

Before we get into the more complex answers, check the following:

• Is your dryer plugged in?
• Is your dryer door completely closed when you're running it?
• Is your dryer set to “cool”?

While this may seem obvious, these are some of the most common reasons why your dryer might not be working, and it is a good thing to check before you try anything else.

A Tripped Circuit Breaker

Electric dryers require two 120v breakers: one that runs the motor that turns the drum, and one that powers the heating element. One tripped breaker could explain why the drum is turning, but your clothes are still wet. Try resetting your breakers in the electrical panel, and that may fix the problem.

No Gas Flow

Did you pay your gas bill on time? Gas dryers are connected to a gas valve which allows the dryer to work.

Dryer Vent, Lint Traps, and Lint Screens

When a heating element is blocked, it overheats your dryer and shuts down the thermostat. To fix this, clean out the lint screen and use a vacuum to clean out the lint trap. You could also try removing the vent hose from the back of the dryer and shaking it out. Dust and dirt can accumulate within the hose over time, so it’s good to clean it every once in a while.

If none of the above tips worked for you, we recommend contacting your local appliance repairman to take a look.

There is nothing more irritating than running your dryer and finding out that your clothes are still wet and your dryer is not working properly. So, why is your dryer running, but not heating? There could be a couple of reasons why, including a tripped circuit breaker, clogged vents, no gas flow, and many more.

Before we get into the more complex answers, check the following:

• Is your dryer plugged in?
• Is your dryer door completely closed when you're running it?
• Is your dryer set to “cool”?

While this may seem obvious, these are some of the most common reasons why your dryer might not be working, and it is a good thing to check before you try anything else.

A Tripped Circuit Breaker

Electric dryers require two 120v breakers: one that runs the motor that turns the drum, and one that powers the heating element. One tripped breaker could explain why the drum is turning, but your clothes are still wet. Try resetting your breakers in the electrical panel, and that may fix the problem.

No Gas Flow

Did you pay your gas bill on time? Gas dryers are connected to a gas valve which allows the dryer to work.

Dryer Vent, Lint Traps, and Lint Screens

When a heating element is blocked, it overheats your dryer and shuts down the thermostat. To fix this, clean out the lint screen and use a vacuum to clean out the lint trap. You could also try removing the vent hose from the back of the dryer and shaking it out. Dust and dirt can accumulate within the hose over time, so it’s good to clean it every once in a while.

If none of the above tips worked for you, we recommend contacting your local appliance repairman to take a look.