Maytag dryer not heating up? Common causes include a burnt heating element, thermal fuse or cut-off issues, or a problem with the thermostat. Follow this troubleshooting guide to determine which part is faulty, and how to fix it.

Maytag is one of the most widely recognizable manufacturers of large appliances in the world. They have a really good reputation for making high-quality products, however, like any mechanical device, there will come a time when it breaks.

Read also: 10 Reasons Dryer Won’t Start or Run

Always begin repairs and troubleshooting by shutting off the power supply to the dryer to prevent injury and even potential electrocution. 

5 Most Common Causes For Maytag Dryer not heating

1. Burnt Heating element

What it is: For your Maytag dryer to effectively dry your clothes, it must first generate heat. When you push the start buttons, the control panel sends power to the heating element. The heating element generates heat which is pushed into the dryer by a blower fan. This hot air, obviously, is what dries the clothes placed into the drum.

Why it fails: Whenever a Maytag dryer not heating up, there’s an 80% chance that it’s caused by a heating element that has burned out.

You can confirm whether or not that’s the case by inspecting the heating element on your Maytag dryer, either visually or with a multimeter.

Inspect the coil visually

Grab a flashlight and inspect the entire heating element up-close.

Burnt out elements will give off a burnt smell or have burn marks somewhere along the length of the element.

Test the element with a multimeter

When you use a multimeter, check the terminal lead to check the heating element’s resistance. The reading should be approximately 10 Ohms. If that’s the case, then that means your heating element is in good working order. If not, you may have open or shorted coils.

How to fix: To fix this problem, you’ll need to replace the heating element. For the most part, it’s a pretty straightforward task. Reaching the element housing it what makes this a time-consuming and labor-intensive job.

Read: Cost to Replace Dryer Heating Elements in 5 Top Brands

Replacement elements can be purchased online at various retailers including Amazon. Click here for Amazon products in the $35 range. Double check your model number!

Note: we may receive a small commission for purchases, at no additional cost to you.

Replacing the heating element

Always begin any repairs by shutting off the power supply to the dryer to prevent injury and even potential electrocution. Also make sure the exhaust hose is disconnected.

Then, keep your user manual and technical sheet close by as a quick reference. That will help you locate and identify the heating element on your model, which will be in its housing somewhere along the air vents. To get there, you may need to remove several parts that include the drum and any other components in the way. Follow the steps below:

1. Pull the unit out so that you have plenty to room to get at the back access panel.
2. Using the ¼” nut driver to remove all of the screws that are holding the large and small access covers and set them aside.
3. Locate the heating element unit at the bottom of the dryer. Disconnect the wires using the flat tip screwdriver and then remove the two screws that are holding the heating element in place.
4. With the screws removed pull down on the heating element unit and completely remove it from the dryer.
5. Install the new heating element.
6. You will need to remove the thermostat from the old heating element and install it on the new one. To do this remove the single screw that is holding the thermostat in place and remove it. Place the thermostat in the same location on the new one and tighten the screw back in.
7. Reconnect all of the wires that you disconnected on the new heating element. Reverse the above procedures with the new element, and work your way backwards by replacing any components and panels you took apart earlier.
8. Be sure to plug the power cord back into the outlet and reattach the exhaust hose to the outside vent. Test the dryer to be sure that it starts heating up like it is supposed to do.

2.Thermal Cut-Off is blown– Heater Assembly

The second most common cause of the Maytag dryer not heating is that the Thermal Cut-off is faulty.

What it is: For all home appliances that generate heat, there’s an extra component that adds protection from overheating. That part is called the thermal cut-off fuse. If temperatures rise too high, this device will burn (blow out) to protect the rest of the appliance.

In this case, your Maytag dryer has a thermal cut-off fuse in the heater assembly that protects against overheating in the heater assembly. Maytag dryer not heating.

Why it fails: As mentioned before, this happens whenever the temperature around the heater assembly rises beyond safe levels, as the fuse burns out to protect the rest of the machine from damage.

That kind of overheating typically happens because the dryer’s vents are clogged. Without proper airflow to carry heat away from the heating elements, the heater assembly overheats and leads to the thermal cut-off fuse burning.

How to fix: There are two parts to fixing this problem. First, you’ll need to replace the burnt-out thermal cut-off fuse. These are ‘disposable’ parts and can’t be repaired. A homeowner can replace this part with a few tools following the steps below. As usual, shut off the power supply (unplug) before performing any repairs.

A replacement thermal cut-off kit can be purchased easily online at retailers such as Amazon. Click here to purchase a replacement part for around $10-12.

The kit comes with all of the parts that you need to complete the repair including the Thermal Cutoff and a new thermostat (it is recommended that you replace both at the same time). The only tools you will need are a ¼” nut driver and a flat tip screwdriver.

replacing the thermal cut-off (and thermostat)

One more thing you need to watch out for: The heater assembly might still be hot. So be careful if you’re working on it before it has time to cool down.

1. The first thing is to is pull out the dryer so that you can get at the back of it. Unplug it from the outlet and remove the exhaust hose.

2. Using the nut driver to remove all of the screws on the back access cover.

3. The Thermal Cutoff is located at the top end of the heat shut and the thermostat is located at the bottom end.

4. Using a flat tip screwdriver pop off the two wires that are connected to the old Thermo Cut-off and remove the screw holding it in place.

5. Install the new cut-off and put the screw back in and connect the wires onto the new one.

6. Follow the same procedure to remove the old thermostat and then put the cover back on.

7. Plugin the power cord and hook up the exhaust hose and test the dryer.

Replacing the fuse only solves the symptom and not the root cause. Be sure to clean out all of the dryer’s vents to ensure proper airflow and prevent overheating. (Maytag dryer not heating)

3. Thermal Fuse is blown – blower wheel

As mentioned before, your Maytag Dryer comes with a Thermal fuse designed to prevent possible damage to the machine or even prevent a house fire. If your Maytag dryer is not heating, this fuse has shut down the heating circuit due to overheating.

The Thermal Fuse is located at the lower part of the dryer blower wheel. See picture below. Notice the difference from the picture above.

Once you have the new fuse to replace the old one with you will only need a couple of tools; ¼” nut driver and a flat tip screwdriver.

Once you have the replacement Thermal fuse in hand, you can start the repair.

The first thing you need to do is pull the dryer away from the wall and be sure that it is unplugged and the exhaust hose is disconnected.

Once you have easy access to the back of the dryer use the ¼” nut driver to remove all of the screws from the back cover. Set it aside and locate the old Thermal fuse.

It should be located at the lower part of the dryer blower wheel. Using a flat tip screwdriver to pop off the two wires that are connected to the terminals of the old fuse.

Then using the ¼” nut driver remove the single screw that is holding it in place. Remove the old Thermal Fuse and install the new one and put the screw back in place and tighten it.

Attach the two wires on the terminals of the new fuse (it does not matter which wire you attach to which terminal).

Put the access cover back on and tighten all of the screws. Plugin the power cord to the outlet and hook up the exhaust hose and reposition the dryer. Turn it on to test and check to see if it heats up.

4. Hi-Limit Thermostat failed

The last of the common causes is that the Hi-Limit Thermostat is not working anymore. If you’ve been using your Maytag dryer for a long time now, it is possible the thermostat has suffered wear and tear and can no longer function properly.

If the Hi-Limit Thermostat fails it will not allow the heating element to turn on and there will be no heat to force into the dryer to dry your clothes.

You can diagnose the thermostat with your multimeter by checking its resistance. A functioning thermostat should produce a reading of 0.1-0.5 Ohms. However, it’ll show an infinite reading if it’s faulty and needs to be replaced. Replacement parts are linked below.

Note: we may receive a small commission for purchases, at no additional cost to you.

Once you have the new Hi-Limit Thermostat in hand the replacement is really easy to accomplish. You will only need a couple of tools; ¼” nut driver and a flat tip screwdriver. 

Follow this Link to get the part on Amazon. Be sure to check model number.

How to fix: Typically, you can find the thermostat behind the rear panel of the dryer. That’ll depend on the exact model you have and its design, so refer to the user manual and tech sheet to be sure.

As always, disconnect the power supply (unplug) before beginning any sort of work. Disconnect the exhaust hose and pull the dryer away from the wall so you have space to work.

Replacing the thermostat

1. You will need to use the ¼” nut driver to remove all of the screws that are holding the two access covers that you will need to remove.
2. Once you have taken the covers off, you will need to locate the old Hi-Limit Thermostat which is mounted on the heating element at the bottom of the dryer. You will need to disconnect the two wires that are connected to the thermostat using the flat tip screwdriver. Then, use the nut driver to remove the screw holding the thermostat in place.
3. Remove the old thermostat and set it aside and install the new one. After tightening the mounting screw on the thermostat you need to hook the two wires back onto the thermostat.
4. Remove the old thermostat and set it aside and install the new one. After tightening the mounting screw on the thermostat you need to hook the two wires back onto the thermostat.
5. The last thing you need to do is to put the access covers on and tighten all of the screws. Plug the cord into the outlet and hook up the exhaust hose and put the dryer back into its normal place and test.

5. Control Board Relay Failed (Maytag dryer not heating)

What it is: As you know, the ‘brain’ of almost any household appliance is the main control board. It’s made up of electrical components controlling different parts of the Maytag dryer, including its ability to generate heat.

When your Maytag dryer is not heating, we’re looking at the relay on that control board which is dedicated to supplying power to the heater.

Why it fails: While the rest of the control board might be functioning normally, the heater relay on the control board may be the part that’s failed. It will not send power to the heater, and your dryer can’t heat up.

How to fix: Technically, it is possible to fix just the damaged heater relay alone. Depending on where you live, you might be able to find a service that can do it for you.

**However, the more straightforward solution would be to replace the main control board altogether.**

You’ll usually find the main control board located behind the control panel on your dryer.

You will have to remove the top panel to gain access to it, though that might differ depending on the model you have. Refer to the user manual and technical sheet for instructions on removing the panel. Always unplug the dryer (or any electrical appliance) before attempting repairs.

Once you’ve reached the board, remove its electrical connectors and mounting screws. Place the new board in, and replace those screws and connectors the same way as before.

Maytag Dryer not heating. See also: Samsung Dryer Not Heating.