The South Korean company LG Electronics produces large quality household appliances. Refrigerators, washing machines, dryers and more are distinguished by their reliability and long service life. But they also have problems. If your LG electric or gas dryer does not heat up, you can try to diagnose and fix the problem yourself.
There are several reasons why the appliance does not heat up and leaves clothes completely or partially damp at the end of the drying cycle. This article covers some of the most common problems, and how to test and fix each possible cause.
Thermal fuse blown
This part performs the function of protection in the power circuit of the clothes dryer. The fuse blocks the power supply to the heating element in case of overheating. The gas dryer also has a thermal fuse, it turns off the burner at increased load.
To check if current is flowing through this part, you will need a multimeter. Your actions:
- Unplug the appliance and remove the ventilation hose from the back of the dryer.
- Using a ¼ inch screwdriver, remove the screws securing the two rear covers.
- Locate the heating element block, unscrew the screw holding the thermal fuse.
- Disconnect the wires connected to the fuse.
- Remove the part, check it for continuity.
- In case of failure, replace the fuse. It is better to buy the original part from the manufacturer.
- Install a new fuse, tighten the screw that holds it in place.
- Connect the wires, screw the rear covers into place.
- Connect the ventilation hose and plug in the power cord.
- Check how the dryer works.
Problems with the thermal fuse in gas dryers
These models are equipped with an additional fuse. Its purpose is to turn off the power to the igniter in case of overheating. The latter phenomenon is usually associated with clogging of the ventilation system or the lack of preventive cleaning of the dryer for many years.
In order to get to the igniter and restart it, you first need to turn off the power and then disconnect the exhaust hose from the back. When you take it out, you will see a hole in which there will be a thermal fuse with a black button. Press the button and reset the fuse. You should hear a click. Then reverse the assembly steps above and test the dryer for proper operation.
Igniter failure in gas dryer
If the igniter fails, it will not be able to generate a spark to ignite and there will be no heat. When you press the “Start” button, the dryer will start but will not heat up. Such a malfunction is rare, but requires a complete replacement of the part.
Broken gas burner valve
The dryer is designed with a gas valve that allows the gas to pass through the burner and produce heat. There are 2 coils on the valve: main and auxiliary. You need to use a multimeter to check the voltage in both. If any of the coils show zero resistance, then the valve is broken and cannot open, and, accordingly, no heat is produced.
Burnt out electric heating element
In an electric dryer, heat is produced by a heating element powered by electricity. It consists of one or more coils, and if at least one fails, the laundry will stop drying. To make sure that the problem is in the heating element, you need to check it with a multimeter or carefully inspect the part for burnt areas.
Follow these steps:
- Unplug the power cord and move the device away from the wall.
- Disconnect the ventilation hose from the back of the dryer.
- Using a ¼ inch screwdriver, remove the screws holding the two rear covers. Remove them and locate the heater block at the bottom of the dryer.
- Disconnect the wires and remove the screws holding the heating element. Remove it from the dryer and carefully inspect it for burnt or melted areas.
- If possible, use a multimeter and check the voltage in the heater.
- If you find a malfunction, or the test shows that there is no voltage in the part, it must be replaced with a new one. To do this, contact the manufacturer or its official distributor and order a new heater.
- Connect the part and repeat the above steps in reverse order.
- Check the electrical appliance for operability.
Clogged ventilation system
The LG dryer has an outlet vent that connects to the house’s exhaust vent with a flexible hose. This system is provided in all models of the manufacturer.
If the tumble dryer does not heat up, there is a chance that the flexible vent hose is physically damaged. He could also get very clogged with pile, which passed through the filter mesh inside the drum.
Turn off the power to the dryer, disconnect the exhaust hose and move the appliance away from the wall. Check for lint buildup at the hose connection to the dryer. Then inspect the hose and make sure that there are no compressed balls of pile inside it. The last thing you check is the opening through which the airflow is escaping from the house.
If the ventilation hose is damaged, it must be replaced with a new one. Measure the length of the old hose to order exactly the same new one. When you have it in your hands, connect it and tighten the clamp so that the design is secure. Connect the power cord and check the device.
Control board failure
This is the least likely cause and the control board should be checked last. Diagnosing this part of the dryer is not as easy as other parts. But if you have followed all the recommendations from the above sections, and the problem remains, you need to look at the control board.
To do this, disconnect the appliance from the mains, disconnect the exhaust hose and move the dryer away from the wall. Loosen the screws holding the top cover. Remove it, find the main control board and disconnect all the wires leading to it.
Remove one fixing screw that holds the part in place. Remove the board and inspect for burnt areas on it. If there is visible damage, you will have to change the part to a new one, and here it is very important that it be from an official manufacturer, because the board is the “brain” of household appliances.
Install the new part in place of the old one and connect the wires. Tighten the retaining screw, connect the ventilation hose and power up the dryer. Check if the appliance is heating up. If the problem persists, contact the service center. A qualified master will conduct a comprehensive diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the LG dryer heat up but not dry enough?
One of the most common reasons why the appliance does not dry clothes completely is a clogged ventilation system. The dryer cannot release moist air and it circulates inside the drum.
To determine the effectiveness of ventilation, you need to leave the house at the time of operation of the dryer and check the hood. If the airflow at the outlet is weak, then the vent line is clogged.
Reset FlowSense LG Dryer
This feature prevents the dryer from overheating. FlowSense sensors measure the temperature inside the instrument at two points. If the temperature difference is greater than a certain value, error codes D80, D90, D95 appear on the control panel, or 4 bars light up on the FlowSense indicator panel.
To clear the error, clean the inside of the dryer, wipe off any lint from the FlowSense sensors with a damp sponge, and allow air to flow through the ventilation system normally.
Why is the thermal fuse constantly blowing in the LG dryer?
This happens due to overheating inside the heating element assembly. Causes: blockage of ventilation, problems with the heating element or a malfunction of the control board.
How to fix NP error code?
The nP code stands for “NO POWER”. The error occurs when there are power outages and the dryer only works on one phase, which stops heating.
To fix the nP error, make sure the dryer’s double switch has not tripped (if it does, reset the switch). Then check the power socket and the continuity of the power supply.