7 Steps to Fix Your Speed Queen Dryer Not Heating

There’s nothing more frustrating than pulling out a load of soggy clothes from a dryer that just ran for an hour. If your Speed Queen dryer is tumbling away but not producing any heat, don’t panic – and definitely don’t call a repair guy just yet.

You can probably fix this yourself in about 30 minutes with some basic tools. I’ve walked hundreds of homeowners through this exact problem, and 9 times out of 10, it’s something simple you can handle on your own.

Let’s get your dryer heating again!

Before We Start: What You’ll Need

Grab these items before we begin:

• A screwdriver set
• A multimeter (you can get one for $15 at any hardware store)
• A flashlight
• Maybe a friend to help move the dryer if needed

Safety first: Unplug your dryer from the wall and turn off the breaker. For gas dryers, also turn off the gas supply valve. Trust me, taking these extra 30 seconds now is way better than dealing with electrical shock later.

Step 1: Check the Obvious Stuff (Don’t Skip This)

I know, I know – you want to dive into the technical stuff. But hear me out. About 40% of “broken” dryers I see just need a good cleaning.

Clean that lint filter completely

Even if it looks “pretty clean,” wash it with warm soapy water and let it dry. Fabric softener residue can clog the mesh in ways that aren’t obvious.

Check your outside vent

Walk outside while someone runs the dryer. You should see the vent flap moving strongly. If it’s barely budging, you’ve found your problem. A blocked vent will shut down your heating system faster than you can say “fire hazard.”

Look at your circuit breaker

Dryers need both sides of a 240-volt circuit. Sometimes one side trips while the other stays on, giving you tumbling but no heat. Push any dryer breakers completely OFF, then back ON. A halfway-tripped breaker won’t cut it.

If these quick checks don’t solve it, let’s move to the real troubleshooting.

Step 2: Find and Test the Thermal Fuse

This little guy is usually the culprit. The thermal fuse is your dryer’s safety guard – it cuts power when things get too hot. Problem is, once it blows, it’s done forever.

Where to find it

Look near the blower housing (usually on the back or side). It’s a small rectangular piece about the size of your thumb with two wires connected.

How to test it

Set your multimeter to continuity mode (the symbol that looks like sound waves). Touch the probes to each terminal. If it beeps, the fuse is good. No beep? You found your problem.

Here’s the important part

If your thermal fuse is blown, something caused it to overheat. Don’t just replace it – you need to find out why it blew, or your new fuse will blow too. Usually, it’s an airflow problem we’ll check in the next steps.

Step 3: Inspect Your Heating Element

The heating element is like the heart of your dryer’s heating system. Over time, the coils can crack or break.

Visual inspection first

Look for obvious breaks in the coil, burned spots, or places where the coil is touching the metal housing. Sometimes you can spot problems just by looking.

Multimeter test

Set your meter to measure resistance (ohms). A good Speed Queen heating element should read between 10-30 ohms. If you get “infinite” or “OL” (overload), the element is broken. If it reads under 5 ohms, it’s dangerous and needs immediate replacement.

Pro tip: If you’re replacing the element, take a picture of how the wires connect before you disconnect anything. Your future self will thank you.

Step 4: Test the Thermostats

Your Speed Queen has several thermostats that control when heat turns on and off. These should show continuity (beep on your multimeter) when tested at room temperature.

They’re usually located on or near the heating element assembly. If any thermostat shows no continuity, it needs replacement.

Important: When replacing thermostats, make sure the new ones have the exact same temperature rating as the originals. Using the wrong rating can cause overheating or poor performance.

Step 5: Check for Airflow Restrictions

Even if your lint filter looks clean, restrictions can hide deeper in the system.

• Disconnect the vent hose from the back of your dryer and check inside. You’d be amazed how much lint can build up there. Use a vacuum or leaf blower to clear it out.
• Check the entire vent run from your dryer to the outside. Long vent runs, multiple turns, or crushed flexible ductwork can all restrict airflow enough to cause heating problems.
• Look for birds or small animals that might have made homes in your outside vent. It happens more often than you’d think.

Step 6: Put Everything Back Together

Once you’ve identified and fixed the problem:

1. Replace any blown components with exact matches
2. Reconnect all wires using your photos as reference
3. Double-check all connections are tight and secure
4. Replace any panels you removed
5. Restore power and test

Step 7: Test and Prevent Future Problems

Run a test cycle with a few damp towels. Your dryer should start producing heat within the first few minutes.

To keep this from happening again:

• Clean your lint filter after every single load
• Schedule annual professional vent cleaning
• Don’t overload your dryer
• Pay attention to longer drying times – they’re often the first sign of developing problems

When to Text Fred’s

If you’ve worked through these steps and still have no heat, it might be time for professional help. Multiple failed components often indicate electrical problems that need expert diagnosis.

For gas dryers, anything involving the gas system (igniter, gas valve, or burner assembly) should be handled by a qualified technician due to safety concerns.

You’ve Got This!

Most Speed Queen heating problems boil down to airflow restrictions or a blown thermal fuse. These are both totally fixable with basic tools and a little patience.

Remember: work methodically through each step rather than jumping around. Take your time, stay safe, and don’t be afraid to call for help if you get stuck.

Your Speed Queen is built to last decades with proper care. Once you get it heating again, it’ll serve you faithfully for years to come. Now go rescue those damp clothes.