LG Dryer Not Heating: Complete Diagnosis and Repair Guide

LG dryers are popular for their large capacity and advanced features like TurboSteam and Sensor Dry. But when an LG dryer stops producing heat, those features don't matter — your clothes come out just as wet as they went in. Whether you have an LG DLEX3900W (electric front-load), DLGX3901W (gas front-load), or an LG DLE7300WE (electric top-load style), this guide covers every cause of no-heat and how to fix it.

LG Dryer: Electric vs. Gas Heating

Before troubleshooting, identify your dryer type:

• Electric LG dryers (model numbers starting with DLE or DLEX): Use a 5,400-watt heating element powered by a 240V circuit. They have a large 3 or 4-prong plug.
• Gas LG dryers (model numbers starting with DLG or DLGX): Use a gas burner assembly with an igniter and gas valve solenoids. They plug into a standard 120V outlet and have a gas line connection.

The troubleshooting approach differs significantly between the two types.

Quick Checks Before Deep Troubleshooting

1. Cycle selection: Verify you've selected a heated cycle. "Air Dry" and "Energy Saver Cool" modes use no heat. LG's Sensor Dry may also reduce heat toward the end of the cycle if it detects clothes are nearly dry — this is normal behavior, not a malfunction.
2. Electrical supply (electric dryers): Check both poles of the 240V breaker. A partially tripped breaker supplies 120V to the drum motor (it turns) but not to the heating element. Reset the breaker fully — switch it OFF first, then ON.
3. Gas supply (gas dryers): Confirm the gas shutoff valve behind the dryer is in the open position (handle parallel to the pipe = open).
4. LG Flow Sense indicator: LG dryers have a "Flow Sense" indicator (d80, d90, d95 on the display) that warns of restricted airflow. If this indicator is lit, your vent is clogged — see the vent cleaning section below.

1. Clogged Dryer Vent (Root Cause of Most Heating Failures)

A restricted dryer vent is the leading cause of LG dryers not heating properly and is the root cause behind blown thermal fuses (the #1 component failure). LG's Flow Sense system specifically monitors this, but even without an alert, a partially clogged vent reduces heating efficiency dramatically.

Why the vent matters: Hot, moist air must exit the dryer through the vent duct. If the vent is restricted, moisture stays in the drum, the internal temperature rises to unsafe levels, and the thermal fuse blows to prevent a fire.

How to clean:

1. Disconnect the vent hose from the back of the dryer.
2. Clean the hose with a dryer vent brush kit.
3. Clean the wall duct from both ends (inside and from the exterior vent).
4. Verify the exterior vent flap moves freely and isn't blocked by lint, debris, or a bird's nest.
5. Reconnect using rigid or semi-rigid metal vent material. Avoid plastic or foil accordion-style vents — they restrict airflow and are a fire hazard.

Vent specs for LG dryers:

• Maximum length: 25 feet for a straight run (deduct 5 feet per 90° elbow, 2.5 feet per 45° elbow)
• Minimum diameter: 4 inches
• Material: Rigid or semi-rigid aluminum or galvanized steel

Flow Sense codes:

• d80: Vent is 80% blocked — clean soon
• d90: Vent is 90% blocked — clean immediately
• d95: Vent is 95% blocked — do not operate until cleaned

2. Blown Thermal Fuse

The thermal fuse is a single-use safety device that permanently cuts power to the heating circuit when it detects an overtemperature condition. Once blown, it must be replaced — it cannot reset.

Location on LG dryers: The thermal fuse is typically located on the blower housing (exhaust path). On front-load LG models, access it by removing the rear panel or the lower front panel depending on the model.

How to test:

1. Unplug the dryer.
2. Locate the thermal fuse — a small, flat component with two wire terminals.
3. Disconnect the wires and test for continuity. Good = near 0 ohms. Blown = open circuit (no reading).

LG thermal fuse part numbers:

• 6931EL3003D — Most LG electric dryers
• 6931EL3002M — Alternative for some models

Cost: $5–$15 for the part.

Critical reminder: Always clean the vent before replacing a thermal fuse. The fuse blew because of overheating, almost always caused by a vent restriction. If you replace the fuse without fixing the vent, the new fuse will blow within days or weeks.

3. Defective Heating Element (Electric LG Dryers)

The heating element is a coiled resistance wire mounted in a housing at the rear of the dryer. It heats to approximately 200°F–250°F to dry your clothes. Over time, the wire can break from metal fatigue.

Symptoms:

• No heat at all (complete break in the element)
• Weak heat (partial break — the element still heats but at reduced wattage)
• The dryer trips the breaker when starting a heated cycle (element wire touching the housing = ground fault)

How to test:

1. Unplug the dryer and remove the rear panel.
2. Locate the heating element housing (a metal can or enclosure).
3. Disconnect the wire terminals and test for continuity. A working LG heating element should read 7–20 ohms. Open circuit = broken element.
4. Also check for continuity between each terminal and the housing ground. Any continuity here indicates a ground fault (element wire touching the metal casing).

LG heating element part numbers:

• 5301EL1001J — Fits most LG electric dryers (DLEX series)
• 5301EL1001G — Some older models

Cost: $30–$60 for the element. Professional repair runs $150–$280 total.

4. Failed Gas Valve Solenoids (Gas LG Dryers)

Gas LG dryers use solenoid-operated valves to control gas flow to the burner. These electromagnetic coils weaken over time and can't hold the valve open consistently.

Symptoms:

• Dryer heats at the start but stops producing heat mid-cycle
• The igniter glows but gas doesn't ignite (or only ignites intermittently)
• Clothes take 2–3 cycles to dry

How to diagnose:

1. Remove the lower front panel to observe the burner assembly.
2. Start a heated cycle and watch.
3. The igniter (a flat glowing bar) should glow orange-hot, then the gas should ignite (blue flame). If the igniter glows but gas doesn't flow, the solenoids are failing.
4. This failure is often intermittent — the first ignition cycle works, but subsequent calls for heat in the same cycle fail.

Part number: 5221EL2002A (gas valve solenoid set, comes with 2 coils — always replace both).

Cost: $15–$30 for the solenoid set. Professional repair runs $150–$250 total.

5. Faulty Flame Sensor / Thermistor

LG dryers use thermistors (temperature sensors) to monitor drum temperature and regulate the heating cycle. If a thermistor fails, the control board may not activate the heater or may shut it off prematurely.

Types of thermistors on LG dryers:

• Drum thermistor (6322FR2046C or 6323EL2001B): Monitors the air temperature inside the drum. Reads approximately 10,000 ohms at room temperature (this is an NTC thermistor — resistance decreases as temperature increases).
• Exhaust thermistor (6322FR2046L): Monitors the exhaust air temperature.

How to test:

1. Unplug the dryer.
2. Locate the thermistor (usually clipped to the blower housing or inside the drum housing).
3. Disconnect the wires and measure resistance. At room temperature (77°F), expect approximately 10,000 ohms (10kΩ). Significantly different readings indicate failure.

Cost: $10–$25 for the thermistor.

6. Control Board Failure

The main control board (PCB) orchestrates all dryer functions, including sending power to the heating element or gas igniter. Power surges, moisture, and age can cause component failure on the board.

Symptoms:

• No heat despite all individual components testing good
• The dryer displays error codes related to heating (tE = thermistor error, d1/d2 = drying issues)
• The control panel behaves erratically
• Burn marks or swollen capacitors visible on the board

How to check:

1. Access the control board (usually inside the top console or behind the front panel, depending on the model).
2. Visually inspect for burned components, melted plastic, or swollen/leaking capacitors.
3. If visual inspection reveals damage, the board needs replacement.
4. If no visible damage, board-level diagnosis typically requires professional equipment.

Common LG dryer control board: EBR76542950 or model-specific boards. Cost: $100–$250 for the part.

LG Dryer Error Codes Related to Heating

• tE1 / tE2 / tE3 — Thermistor error. The temperature sensor is reading abnormally. Check and replace the applicable thermistor.
• d80 / d90 / d95 — Flow Sense vent restriction alerts. Clean the vent duct.
• HS — Humidity sensor error. The moisture sensor bars inside the drum need cleaning with fine sandpaper or alcohol, or the sensor needs replacement.
• nP — No power to gas valve (gas dryers). Check gas supply and valve solenoids.
• PS — Power supply error. Check the 240V circuit (electric dryers).

LG Dryer Diagnostic Test Mode

1. Plug in the dryer but leave it powered off.
2. Press and hold the Temperature and Time Dry buttons simultaneously.
3. While holding both buttons, press the Power button once.
4. Release all buttons. The display should show "In" or "tSt" indicating diagnostic mode.
5. Press Start to run through automatic tests (motor, heater, thermistors, moisture sensor).
6. Monitor the display for error codes during each test phase.

Smart Diagnosis (LG ThinQ app): If your LG dryer has Wi-Fi, use the LG ThinQ app's Smart Diagnosis feature. It reads diagnostic data from the dryer and provides specific troubleshooting recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does my LG dryer take 2–3 cycles to dry clothes? A: Extended drying times are usually caused by a partially clogged vent (check the Flow Sense indicator), a failing heating element that only produces partial heat, or worn gas valve solenoids that fail to ignite on every heat call. Start by cleaning the vent thoroughly — this resolves the issue in about 60% of cases.

Q: What does the Flow Sense d80 code mean on my LG dryer? A: Flow Sense d80 means your dryer vent is approximately 80% restricted. The dryer will still operate, but drying performance is significantly reduced and the risk of thermal fuse failure or fire increases. Clean the entire vent duct from the dryer to the outside wall. The d80 indicator should clear after a successful cycle with good airflow.

Q: How do I reset my LG dryer after a no-heat error? A: Unplug the dryer for 60 seconds, then plug it back in. If a thermal fuse blew, simply resetting won't restore heat — the fuse must be physically replaced. For error codes, the reset clears the stored code, but if the underlying problem isn't fixed, the code will return during the next cycle.

Q: Are LG dryer parts covered by warranty? A: LG provides a 1-year full warranty (parts and labor), a 3-year warranty on select parts, and a 10-year limited warranty on the direct-drive motor (parts only). The heating element and thermal fuses are covered under the 1-year warranty only. Keep your receipt for warranty claims.

Q: Is it safe to run my LG dryer with the Flow Sense light on? A: At d80, the dryer will run but inefficiently — clean the vent soon. At d90, you should stop using the dryer until the vent is cleaned. At d95, the dryer may refuse to start or may shut down mid-cycle as a safety measure. Never ignore Flow Sense alerts — a restricted vent is a fire hazard.

When to Call a Professional

Call a professional LG dryer technician when:

• Gas dryer repairs — Unless you're experienced with gas appliances, leave gas valve, igniter, and burner assembly work to a professional. Gas leaks are serious safety hazards.
• Repeated thermal fuse failures — If the fuse keeps blowing after vent cleaning, there may be a cycling thermostat failure, internal ductwork restriction, or a heating element touching its housing.
• Control board diagnosis — Board-level troubleshooting requires specialized skills and sometimes factory diagnostic tools.
• 240V electrical issues — If the dryer trips the breaker, there's a short circuit that needs professional isolation.
• Drum not turning AND no heat — Multiple simultaneous failures usually indicate a control board problem or a wiring issue that requires systematic diagnosis.

A professional can diagnose and repair the exact issue in a single visit, avoiding the frustration and expense of replacing the wrong parts.

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