The Dryer in My Kenmore Laundry Center Is Not Drying

Obstruction

• Hot air must continually circulate for a Kenmore Laundry Center dryer to dry clothes effectively. If airflow becomes stifled due to a clog in the vent, usually from lint that is stuck inside, the dryer won’t heat properly. Depending on how badly the vent is blocked, the dryer might not get hot enough to dry clothes in one drying cycle, thereby resulting in slower dry times. In more extreme cases, an obstructed vent could cause the dryer not to heat at all. Consult the manual that came with your dryer for vent cleaning instructions. Once the vent is cleared, the dryer should heat as usual.

Heating Element

• An electric Kenmore Laundry Center dryer supplies heat with a coiled, metal wire heating element. Over time, portions of the element can weaken. When this happens, heat output can be severely diminished or the dryer may stop heating altogether. Contact Kenmore to schedule a service appointment. A technician will measure the element’s heat output, and assess its overall performance. If the technician finds that the element is dying, replace it. Once even a portion of the element fades, the deteriorating portion can’t be repaired.

Igniter

• A gas Kenmore Laundry Center dryer has an igniter that lights a flame, which provides heat to the dryer. If the igniter breaks, the dryer won’t heat. Look in the manual for a diagram to find the igniter on your dryer. Press the “Start” button and see if the igniter glows orange-red or sparks, depending on the type of igniter on your dryer model. If the igniter stays dark, its likely defective. Replace the damaged igniter with a new one.

Thermal Fuse

• A thermal fuse or switch is an emergency sensor that cuts off a dryer’s heater if the dryer gets close to overheating. The fuse’s activation is controlled by a safety thermostat located inside the dryer. Once the safety thermostat reaches a predetermined trip temperature, it immediately blows the Laundry Center dryer’s thermal fuse and the dryer won’t heat again pending you replace the fuse. However, to avoid the fuse blowing again, you should troubleshoot what caused it to blow in the first place and then make the repair.