Feeling frustrated because your dryer won’t heat up even after running it for an hour or more?
You were hoping for toasty, dry clothes, but ended up with damp ones that seem to take ages to dry. This can be a real inconvenience when you’ve got mountains of laundry to get through and your dryer isn’t pulling its weight.
Below, I’ve listed some DIY solutions you can try before reaching out to a repair service or shelling out for a new dryer. There’s no harm in trying to fix it yourself, right? Especially if a little bit of elbow grease could save you a pretty penny.
The Clever Fix
Change your dryer’s setting to Time Dry and if it comes with an Eco Dry feature, make sure you switch it off. Start a brief 30-second cycle, then take a moment to feel the interior of the dryer.
This quick test will quickly let you know if it’s safe to assume your dryer’s on the fritz. You’ll be able to tell right away if your dryer is generating heat or not.
If you can detect a small amount of warmth inside the dryer, it’s a promising sign which means the heating part of your dryer is still operational.
In this case, you might be able to solve the problem with uncomplicated fixes like cleaning out the lint filter, moisture sensor bar, or vent.
However, if you don’t sense any heat, it’s not an immediate indication that the heating element is busted. Some additional inspection will be necessary before landing on that conclusion.
Before we dive into the possible fixes, let’s first understand why your dryer might not be heating up.
Why is my Samsung dryer not heating up?
It’s totally normal for a dryer to have hiccups after a lot of use.
The reason behind it could be as minor as a blocked vent or filter, or something as major as a broken heating element.
Factors like underloading or overloading, lint accumulation on the vent or filter, incorrect cycle settings, or even regular power fluctuations can lead to issues with heating.
Regardless of the cause, understanding the specific issue with your dryer will help guide you towards the right solution.
How to determine the specific problem of my Samsung dryer
You may already know that the problem with your dryer involves heating, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the heating element is at fault.
The issue could be related to the internal temperature of the dryer, the heating parts, or even a voltage problem. That’s why it’s essential to investigate further.
Here are two ways to diagnose your dryer’s specific issue: look for an error code or run a diagnostic test.
These methods can help you figure out if your dryer has any damaged parts or if there’s a problem causing weaker-than-expected heat.
The easiest and most reliable way to identify your dryer’s issue is by checking the error code on the digital display.
For this, simply note the short alphanumeric code displayed on the screen and check its meaning here. If your model doesn’t have a digital display, check the blinking lights.
Alternatively, you can use the Smart Care function to run a diagnostic test. The Samsung Smart Washer/Dryer app can help interpret the code.
If you don’t have this app, it’s available for download on both Android and iOS devices.
Despite occasional inaccuracies in the Smart Care-generated code, it can still provide a good starting point in tracking down the source of your dryer’s problem.
Here are the steps on how to check your Samsung Dryer code:
- Power on your dryer.
- Locate the Smart Care button (on some models, it is labeled under another button as a secondary function).
- Press the Smart Care button for 3 seconds and wait for a code on the digital display (the code looks like a sequence of broken lines).
- Launch your Samsung Smart Washer/Dryer app, then tap the Smart Care tab.
- Aim the camera at the error code on the display screen (if it’s having a problem reading the code, you can enter the code manually).
- Tap OK if the code displayed on the app matches the code displayed on the dryer.
Once done, the app will decode and display the meaning of the error code.
How to fix a Samsung dryer not heating up
The simple fixes listed below won’t hurt and can help rule out other potential issues with your dryer. As a bonus, some of these steps might even enhance your dryer’s performance in the long run.
1. Check the cycle setting
This is a useful fix if your dryer isn’t heating up and there aren’t any heat-related error codes on your digital display.
If you don’t feel any heat, you may have inadvertently selected a cycle without a heat function, like Eco Dry or Air Fluff.
If there isn’t a problem with the dryer itself and the issue stems from the cycle setting, your dryer won’t alert you to any issues.
The variety of buttons on your Samsung dryer aren’t just there for decoration. They allow you to choose from a range of cycles, settings, and features tailored to the type of clothes you’re drying.
You can explore the different cycles and features of your Samsung dryer on this page to confirm whether the cycle you’ve selected should generate heat.
If there’s still no heat, even though you’ve selected the correct cycle, the next solution might be the one to solve your problem.
2. Clean the moisture sensor bar and lint filter
This is the most common solution to a dryer not heating up.
This can be particularly helpful if your dryer is showing a temperature or heating error code.
The lint filter and moisture sensor bar are typically located in the dryer’s bulkhead (attached to the lower rim of the opening to the drum).
If the moisture sensor is blocked, the dryer might mistakenly think that the laundry is dry and stop the cycle prematurely. This can leave your clothes still damp after the cycle.
To fix this, simply wipe the moisture sensor bars with a damp cloth and mild detergent to remove any lint build-up, then dry it off with a towel.
As for the lint filter, you can get it by pulling it straight up. It’s a good idea to clean it under running water using a soft brush and some soap.
3. Clean the vent
Your dryer needs good airflow to work effectively.
The vent plays a key role in this, as it allows excess heat and moisture to escape from the dryer.
If your dryer is functioning but the air isn’t warm enough, it could be a sign that the vent is blocked.
The vent is the silver tube at the back of your dryer. Apart from the lint filter, it’s a prime spot for dirt and lint to accumulate.
For top-notch dryer performance, it’s wise to give the vent a clean every so often (once or twice a year, depending on usage), even if it doesn’t appear to be blocked.
But if you’re short on time, you can perform a vent blockage test to see if cleaning the vent is a task that needs immediate attention in order to get your dryer working correctly.
It’s best to conduct a vent blockage test before inspecting the vent. Ensure the dryer is empty and fully cooled down before starting the test.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Turn on the dryer and keep the dryer door closed for the whole test duration.
- Press and hold the Adjust Time (UP) and Dry Level simultaneously until Ins or In appears on the display.
Alternatively, you can tap these combinations if the previous code didn’t work:
Cycle 1 + Wrinkle Prevent, or Air Fluff + Wrinkle Prevent.
- Press and hold Start/Pause.
- Wait for 2 minutes for the result.
The result will only be displayed on the screen for 5 minutes.
The possible results are:
- 0 or End: normal and not clogged.
- CLg, Cg, CL9, C9, C80, C8, C90: Clogged. The vent needs cleaning.
The numbers indicate the percentage of clogged. (ex. C8 or C80 means 80% clogged, C9 or C90 means 90% clogged)
- dc: The door was opened during the test.
- C1 or CL1: Laundry was detected in the drum. Empty the drum.
- Ct: The internal temperature is too low (below 32°F) or too high (above 104°F). Wait for an hour or until the dryer returns to room temperature before re-running the test.
If your dryer’s vent is clogged, use a vacuum, soft brush, or vent cleaning kit to clear out the accumulated lint and grime.
Don’t forget, it’s a good practice to clean the vent once or twice a year to keep your dryer running smoothly.
After tidying up, check if your dryer is working. If not, let’s try a few more fixes.
4. Turn off Eco Dry (if applicable)
The Eco Dry feature is your dryer’s energy-saving mode.
When this is activated, the dryer doesn’t emit hot air at the start of the cycle. This could be why your clothes are still damp at the end of the cycle.
Some models may not have this feature, but if yours does, remember to turn it off manually whenever you need your dryer to emit a more sustained heat.
5. Check the power supply
A dryer is hooked up to a double-circuit breaker and needs a lot of power to operate.
If one of these circuits trips, the dryer gets only half the power it needs, which means it’ll spin but not produce heat.
Inspect the circuit breaker linked to your dryer. If it’s tripped, switch off both circuits for 30 seconds and then flip them back on.
If the circuit breaker is faulty, it’s best to have a certified electrician take a look at it.
Nothing works?
If the error codes persist even after trying all the above methods, it’s possible you have a faulty component.
At this point, you’ll need to open up your dryer to check the parts, specifically the thermostat, thermal fuse, and heating element.
If you’re not comfortable disassembling your dryer, it might be best to leave this to the pros.
You can reach out for help via the Samsung support center on their website.
Alternatively, you can give them a call at 1-800-7267864; they’re available from 8 AM to 12 AM (EST), seven days a week. You may need to request a repair service.
If you decide to tackle it yourself, be ready to remove plenty of screws and potentially have dryer parts scattered around.
It’s advisable to have a multimeter on hand to test the components for continuity.
Pro-tip: A functioning thermostat should have a reading between 0.1-0.5 ohms. A working thermal fuse should register 0 or close to 0. If the heating element’s reading is lower than 10 or over 30, it may need replacing.
Wrapping up
Samsung dryers are built to last with robust components, meaning they don’t usually fail in the short term. Often, straightforward solutions are all you need to resolve a heating issue.
Initially, you can run a 30-second Time Dry cycle with the Eco Dry turned off to see if the dryer produces any heat.
You can also look for error codes or perform a diagnosis to identify the specific problem.
The key to fixing a non-heating dryer is to run a few tests and do some cleaning before calling in professionals to inspect its insides.
Here are the quick and easy solutions you can try:
- Check the cycle setting.
- Clean the moisture sensor bars and lint filter.
- Clean the vent.
- Turn off the Eco Dry (if applicable).
- Check the power supply.
If you’ve tried all these steps and the error codes still appear, it might be time to request a repair service to investigate your dryer’s internal components.
