Amana Dryer Not Heating? A Comprehensive Troubleshooting Guide

A cold load of laundry fresh from a dryer that refuses to heat is a frustrating experience. If your Amana dryer isn’t producing the warmth you expect, don’t panic! This comprehensive guide will walk you through the common causes of this issue and provide detailed troubleshooting steps to help you pinpoint and resolve the problem. Before you call for professional help, let’s explore what you can do on your own.

Understanding How Amana Dryers Generate Heat

Before we dive into troubleshooting, it’s helpful to understand the basic principles of how an Amana dryer generates heat. Amana dryers, like most electric and gas models, rely on a heating element or a gas burner, respectively, to produce the necessary warmth for drying clothes. A thermostat and a thermal fuse are crucial safety components that regulate the heat and prevent overheating. A faulty component within this system can easily cause your dryer to fail at its most basic function – heating.

Initial Checks Before Troubleshooting

Before you start disassembling your dryer or ordering parts, conduct some basic initial checks:

1. Check the Power Supply: This might sound obvious, but make sure your dryer is properly plugged into a working outlet. Test the outlet with another appliance to confirm it’s receiving power. If it’s an electric dryer, check the circuit breaker to see if it has tripped. Reset the breaker if necessary. For gas dryers, ensure the gas valve is open and the supply line is connected correctly.
2. Check the Dryer Settings: Ensure the dryer is set to a heated cycle, not just an air-dry or no-heat option. Sometimes a simple setting change is all that’s needed. Check that the ‘Heat’ setting (High/Medium/Low) is selected according to your preference.
3. Check the Lint Filter: A clogged lint filter is a common culprit for many dryer issues. A full filter restricts airflow, causing the dryer to overheat, which can cause the heating element to shut down. Clean the lint filter thoroughly before proceeding. If the lint trap is excessively full, this means reduced air flow and can trigger thermal fuses or thermostats to shut down power to the heating source. Always clean the lint filter after each use.
4. Check the Venting System: Similar to a clogged lint filter, a blocked vent system is a major cause for overheating and reduced performance. Look for any kinks or clogs in the exhaust hose behind the dryer or in the vent leading outside. A restricted vent can also cause the thermal fuse to shut down power to the heating source. Ensure the vent is clear of obstructions and debris. You may need to disconnect the vent from the dryer for testing purposes.

If you’ve completed these initial checks and your dryer is still not heating, proceed with the more detailed troubleshooting steps below.

Troubleshooting Steps for Electric Amana Dryers

If your Amana dryer is electric, here’s what to check when it’s not heating:

1. Check the Heating Element: The heating element is the primary component responsible for producing heat in an electric dryer. A faulty heating element is a very common reason for your dryer not heating. Use a multimeter to test the heating element for continuity. Disconnect the power from the dryer at the circuit breaker before starting this process.

How to Test the Heating Element:

1. Unplug the dryer from the power outlet.
2. Gain access to the heating element. This typically involves removing the back panel of the dryer.
3. Locate the heating element terminals. Disconnect the wires connected to these terminals.
4. Set your multimeter to measure ohms (Ω).
5. Place the multimeter probes on the element terminals.
6. A reading within the specified range (typically 8 to 50 ohms, but check your dryer’s service manual for the exact value) indicates continuity. An open circuit (no continuity) means the element is faulty and needs replacement.
2. Check the Thermal Fuse: The thermal fuse is a safety device designed to prevent the dryer from overheating. If the dryer gets excessively hot due to airflow problems or other reasons, the thermal fuse will blow, cutting off power to the heating element. The thermal fuse is a one time use only part. When they fail, they need to be replaced. Use a multimeter to test the thermal fuse for continuity.

How to Test the Thermal Fuse:

1. Unplug the dryer from the power outlet.
2. Locate the thermal fuse (usually on the blower housing or near the heating element).
3. Disconnect the wires connected to the fuse terminals.
4. Set your multimeter to measure ohms (Ω).
5. Place the multimeter probes on the fuse terminals.
6. If you get a reading of 0 ohms, this means there is continuity and the thermal fuse is good. If there is no continuity on the meter, the thermal fuse has failed and must be replaced.
3. Check the Cycling Thermostat: The cycling thermostat is another safety component that regulates the temperature of the dryer. It cycles the heating element on and off to maintain a consistent drying temperature. If the thermostat is not working correctly it may prevent the heating element from receiving power. Use a multimeter to test the cycling thermostat for continuity.

How to Test the Cycling Thermostat:

1. Unplug the dryer from the power outlet.
2. Locate the cycling thermostat (usually on the blower housing).
3. Disconnect the wires connected to the thermostat terminals.
4. Set your multimeter to measure ohms (Ω).
5. Place the multimeter probes on the thermostat terminals.
6. Check for continuity. This means your multimeter reading should not be zero.
7. If the cycling thermostat shows no continuity, it will need to be replaced.
4. Check the High-Limit Thermostat: The high-limit thermostat is another safety device that is designed to prevent the dryer from overheating. Like the thermal fuse, this thermostat can interrupt power to the heating element. Use a multimeter to test the high-limit thermostat for continuity.

How to Test the High-Limit Thermostat:

1. Unplug the dryer from the power outlet.
2. Locate the high-limit thermostat (usually on the blower housing).
3. Disconnect the wires connected to the thermostat terminals.
4. Set your multimeter to measure ohms (Ω).
5. Place the multimeter probes on the thermostat terminals.
6. If you get a reading of 0 ohms, this means there is continuity and the high-limit thermostat is good. If there is no continuity on the meter, the high-limit thermostat has failed and must be replaced.
5. Check the Timer or Electronic Control Board: In some cases, a faulty timer or electronic control board can cause the dryer not to heat. This is a more complex issue and might require professional help, but first check for any obvious signs of damage, such as burnt components.
6. Check the Start Switch: Some Amana dryers have start switches that may be a reason for no heat. Use a multimeter to check the start switch for continuity.

How to Test the Start Switch:

1. Unplug the dryer from the power outlet.
2. Locate the Start switch (usually behind the control panel).
3. Disconnect the wires connected to the switch terminals.
4. Set your multimeter to measure ohms (Ω).
5. Test the switch with the Start button depressed. There should be continuity. Test the switch again without depressing the Start button. There should be no continuity.
6. If the start switch does not behave in this way, it will need to be replaced.

Troubleshooting Steps for Gas Amana Dryers

If your Amana dryer is gas, here’s what to check when it’s not heating:

1. Check the Gas Supply: Verify that the gas supply valve is fully open. Also, check if other gas appliances are working, to rule out a problem with your gas supply.
2. Check the Igniter/Glow Bar: In a gas dryer, the igniter or glow bar is responsible for igniting the gas. If the igniter is faulty, the dryer will not produce heat. Inspect the igniter for any cracks or damage. You may need to use a multimeter to test for continuity.

How to Test the Igniter:

1. Unplug the dryer from the power outlet and shut off the gas supply.
2. Locate the igniter (usually near the gas valve assembly).
3. Disconnect the wires connected to the igniter terminals.
4. Set your multimeter to measure ohms (Ω).
5. Place the multimeter probes on the igniter terminals.
6. If there is no continuity on the meter, the igniter has failed and must be replaced.
3. Check the Flame Sensor: The flame sensor detects the presence of a flame and signals to the control board that the burner is working. If the flame sensor is defective, the burner will shut down immediately. Use a multimeter to check the flame sensor for continuity.

How to Test the Flame Sensor:

1. Unplug the dryer from the power outlet and shut off the gas supply.
2. Locate the flame sensor (usually near the burner assembly).
3. Disconnect the wires connected to the sensor terminals.
4. Set your multimeter to measure ohms (Ω).
5. Place the multimeter probes on the sensor terminals.
6. You should have some continuity on the meter. If there is no continuity, the flame sensor has failed and must be replaced.
4. Check the Gas Valve Solenoids: The gas valve solenoids control the flow of gas to the burner. If these solenoids are not working correctly, gas will not reach the burner. Use a multimeter to check the gas valve solenoids for continuity.

How to Test the Gas Valve Solenoids:

1. Unplug the dryer from the power outlet and shut off the gas supply.
2. Locate the gas valve assembly.
3. Disconnect the wires connected to each of the solenoid terminals.
4. Set your multimeter to measure ohms (Ω).
5. Test each solenoid. You should have continuity. You should have a reading that is in the specific ohm range of the solenoid. If there is no continuity or the reading is outside the range of the solenoid, it has failed and must be replaced.
5. Check the Thermal Fuse and Thermostats: As in electric dryers, gas dryers also have thermal fuses and thermostats that may need to be checked. Follow the steps described above for electric models.
6. Check the Timer or Electronic Control Board: Similar to electric dryers, a faulty timer or control board can cause heating issues. Check for any visible damage.

Important Safety Precautions

Before attempting any repairs on your dryer, always take the following safety precautions:

• Unplug the Dryer: Always disconnect the dryer from the power source by unplugging it from the wall outlet before starting any work. This is absolutely essential to prevent electrical shock.
• Turn Off the Gas Supply: For gas dryers, always shut off the gas supply before doing any work on the dryer.
• Consult the User Manual: Refer to your Amana dryer’s user manual for specific instructions related to your model.
• Take Pictures: Before disconnecting any wires, take pictures with your phone. These pictures will make reassembly much easier.
• Work Carefully: If you are unsure about any step or feel uncomfortable with any of the troubleshooting, do not proceed. Contact a qualified appliance repair technician.

When to Call a Professional

If you have exhausted all of the troubleshooting steps outlined above and your Amana dryer is still not heating, it’s time to call a qualified appliance repair technician. Some issues, such as a faulty control board, require specialized tools and expertise to resolve. Attempting to fix complex problems without the right knowledge can cause further damage to the appliance or personal injury. Professionals have specialized tools, training, and access to specialized parts, which makes repairs faster and more efficient.

Conclusion

A dryer that won’t heat is frustrating, but with a systematic approach, you can often identify and resolve the problem yourself. By carefully following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to troubleshoot the most common causes of a non-heating Amana dryer. If the issue persists after trying these steps, don’t hesitate to contact a professional. Hopefully, this guide has helped you restore your dryer to its normal function!