Why is my LG dryer not heating?
On LG dryers, no heat with the drum still turning is most often a vent restriction triggering Flow Sense ($0 to fix yourself), a blown thermal fuse ($100 – $200 repaired), or a failed heating element ($150 – $300). LG's Flow Sense system will display d80, d90, or d95 warnings before it shuts heating off entirely — those codes are telling you exactly what's wrong.
LG electric dryers with dual heating elements (common on larger-capacity models) can lose one element and still produce some warmth — so if drying times doubled but there's still faint heat, a single element may have failed while the second one limps along.
Most likely causes
Flow Sense vent restriction (d80 / d90 / d95 error)
$0 – $170How to tellLG displays d80, d90, or d95 on the panel; drying times are long; clothes come out warm but damp; the display percentage shows airflow blockage level
The fixDisconnect the dryer from the duct and clean the full exhaust run from the back of the machine to the exterior wall cap — not just the lint trap. d80 = 80% restricted. d95 = almost fully blocked. Clear it and the heat returns.
Thermal fuse blown
$100 – $200How to tellDrum spins but zero heat from the first minute; no d-code displayed; happened right after a very long or heavily loaded cycle
The fixTest the thermal fuse with a multimeter — LG places it on the exhaust duct near the heating element housing. Replace the fuse AND clear the vent that caused it to blow.
Heating element failed (single or dual)
$150 – $300How to tellNo heat after fuse and vent check out fine; on dual-element models, heat is present but very weak and drying takes twice as long
The fixReplace the heating element assembly — LG dual-element dryers require identifying which element failed before ordering the correct replacement
Thermistor (temperature sensor) failed
$125 – $250How to tellHeat cuts in and out erratically; tE1 or tE3 error code on newer LG models; loads inconsistently damp
The fixReplace the thermistor — a small sensor clipped to the exhaust duct or element housing
Gas models: igniter or flame sensor weak
$150 – $300How to tellGas LG dryer ignites briefly but heat doesn't sustain; first cycle is cold, next cycle is warm — inconsistent
The fixReplace the igniter and radiant flame sensor together — replacing one without the other is a common callback repair
Try this first (before you pay anyone)
- Check the control panel for d80, d90, or d95 codes — these are LG's Flow Sense readings showing exhaust blockage percentage. A d80 means 80% restricted. Clean the full duct run from machine to exterior vent cap before doing anything else.
- Disconnect the exhaust duct at the back of the dryer and run a timed-heat cycle without it connected. If heat returns immediately, the duct (not the dryer) is the problem.
- For electric models, check both legs of the 240V breaker at the panel — if one trips, LG dryers will spin and tumble normally but produce zero heat since the element is on the tripped leg.
- If you see a tE1 or tE3 code, that's a thermistor fault — a much cheaper repair than the element itself. Note the exact code before calling a tech.
Unlock the hiring checklist
Use this before you call an appliance repair, so you know what to ask and what to avoid.
Call a pro when…
- The vent is fully clear and the dryer still shows no heat — element, fuse, or thermistor needs multimeter testing
- You see error codes tE1, tE3, or a persistent d95 that doesn't clear after duct cleaning — a tech can pull the code history and pinpoint the failing component
- It's a gas model and you smell gas, hear clicking with no flame, or the igniter glows orange but no blue flame follows
- The dryer has dual heating elements and produces weak heat — diagnosing which element failed on a dual-element LG is tricky without a wiring diagram
Repair or replace?
LG dryers run about 13 years. A thermal fuse or heating element repair on an LG dryer under 9 years old is nearly always worth doing — you're spending $100–$300 on a machine that costs $700–$1,300 new. Past 10–11 years, apply the 50% rule: if the repair quote exceeds half the cost of a comparable new unit, replacement is the smarter move. LG dryers have good parts availability, but dual-element models cost more to repair than single-element models — factor that in when getting a quote.
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Related questions
What does the d80 or d90 code mean on my LG dryer?
LG's Flow Sense system monitors airflow through the exhaust duct. A d80 code means the duct is approximately 80% restricted; d90 means 90%; d95 means nearly fully blocked. The dryer is telling you the vent is clogged — clean the full duct run from the back of the machine to the exterior cap, including any elbows where lint packs first. Once cleared, the code goes away and normal heating returns.
Does my LG dryer have two heating elements?
Some LG electric dryers — particularly larger capacity models (7.4 cu. ft. and above) — use a dual heating element design. If your dryer produces some heat but drying times have roughly doubled, one element may have failed while the second still operates. A tech can confirm with a multimeter and replace only the failed element.
How much does it cost to fix an LG dryer that won't heat?
If the cause is a clogged vent, it's free to fix yourself or $100–$170 for a professional duct cleaning. A thermal fuse replacement runs $100–$200. A heating element repair runs $150–$300. The diagnostic visit ($75–$150) is typically credited toward any repair that gets done.
Why did my LG dryer stop heating suddenly?
Sudden no-heat on LG dryers almost always points to a blown thermal fuse — a safety device that cuts the heating circuit when the dryer overheats. The fuse itself is a $5–$20 part, but the reason it blew (a clogged vent duct) needs to be fixed at the same time, or it will blow again.