As frustrating as a Maytag Bravos dryer not heating up is, it’s DIY fixable – at least most of the issues are! You just have to look keenly and identify the fault, and that’s where this troubleshooter comes in.
Both gas and electric Maytag Bravos dryers won’t heat up due to a blown-up fuse, blocked or wrong vent, dirty lint screen, or an incorrect cycle. On a separate occasion, a gas-only Maytag Bravos dryer won’t heat up due to gas failure, while its electric sibling won’t get hot due to power failure.
Furthermore, a Maytag Bravos gas dryer will stay cold due to a faulty gas valve solenoid, igniter, or flame sensor. In contrast, a Maytag Bravos electric dryer will remain the same due to a defective heating element, high limit or cycling thermostat, or timer.
And if it’s not just the heating part that’s not taking place but a paralysis of most of the dryer’s function, then it’s worth checking the main control board as it could be defective.
On that note, we’ll discuss all these reasons, highlighting their most likely causes and suggesting their DIY repairs.
Let’s jump into it!
In a rush? See below the most probable reasons Maytag Bravos dryers won’t get hot, plus their possible fixes.
Common Reasons and Fixes to A Maytag Bravos Dryer Not Heating
| Possible Cause (Both Gas And Electric Dryers) | Possible Fix | |
| 1. | Blown-Up Fuse | Replace the thermal fuse if it shows no continuity on a multimeter |
| 2. | Blocked Exhaust Vent | Unblock the air vent but if it’s crushed, replace it |
| 3. | Wrong Vent Type | Avoid metal foil and plastic vents and use rigid or flexible metal vents instead |
| 4. | Dirty Lint Screen | Clean the lint screen with a dryer lint screen brush |
| 5. | Incorrect Cycle | Match your wet laundry with the correct dry cycle |
| (Gas-Only Dryer) | ||
| 6. | Gas Failure | Connect the dryers gas supply if it’s not and turn on the shut-off handle/valve to promote the gas flow |
| 7. | Faulty Gas Valve Solenoid | Replace the solenoid valve if it has no continuity |
| 8. | Faulty Igniter | Replace the igniter if it lacks continuity |
| 9. | Malfunctioning Flame Sensor | Replace the flame sensor if it shows no continuity |
| (Electric-Only Dryer) | ||
| 10. | Power Failure | Reset the circuit breaker is tripped and replace the power cord or socket if any is faulty |
| 11. | Burnt Heating Element | Replace the heating element if it’s burnt |
| 12. | Malfunctioning High-Limit Thermostat | Replace the thermostat if it won’t show continuity |
| 13. | Faulty Cycling Thermostat | Replace the thermostat if it lacks continuity |
| 14. | Faulty Timer | Get a new timer if the old has no continuity |
Why Is My Maytag Bravos Dryer Not Getting Hot?
Several reasons could explain why your Maytag Bravos dryer won’t get hot, and they vary between gas-powered and electric types. Let’s discuss them next:
Both Maytag Bravos Gas and Electric Dryer Not Heating Up
A Maytag gas-only or electric dryer won’t get hot due to any of these reasons:
1. Blown-up Fuse
The Maytag thermal fuse’s job is to cut off the power/gas supply when the dryer overheats. So, this little fuse sacrifices itself to save your dryer. However, the dryer is unable to heat up when that happens.
Fix
Use a multimeter to check your Maytag Bravos dryer thermal fuse. If it shows no continuity, replace it.
2. Blocked Exhaust Vent
When the exhaust vent is blocked, you can expect your Maytag Bravos dryer to display the error code ‘Check Vent.’ Often, that happens due to lint blocking, kinking, or crushing.
The dryer won’t heat up if something is blocking its fuel or electricity supply.
Fix
If the dryer is dirt blocked, clean it with a dryer vent/lint screen cleaner. If it’s kinked, straighten it out but if it’s crushed, replace it.
3. Wrong Vent Type
Maytag does not recommend using metal foil or plastic vents as they are fire hazards. But still, they could be why your dryer won’t heat up.
The other issue is that you should avoid using vents with a diameter outside 4 inches. Such vents reduce airflow and lengthen the drying time.
Fix
Use a flexible or rigid metal vent and only opt for a 4-inch diameter for maximum airflow.
4. Dirty Lint Screen
A Maytag Bravos dryer will display the error code AF when the lint screen blocks. Often, the lint screen clogs with excess dirt, detergent, or fabric softener residue, which lengthens the drying time.
So, you may have to wait a long time before your dryer can heat up and dry your laundry.
Fix
Inspect the lint screen and if you find it dirty, clean it, preferably with a dryer vent/lint screen cleaner.
5. Incorrect Cycle
The Maytag Bravos dryer is designed to automatically go off during an Auto-Dry Cycle when the moisture sensor senses the moisture level.
Once that happens, the dryer won’t heat up anymore. However, if you opt for Timed-Dry, your clothes will dry for a preset amount of time which means the dryer will be heating throughout the period.
Fix
Choose the correct dry cycle to match your laundry. Go for Timed-Dry for extra damp laundry.
Maytag Bravos Gas Dryer Not Heating
Now, consider these specifics in addition to the above, if you have a gas-only Maytag dryer that won’t get hot:
6. Gas Failure
Without gas, your Maytag Bravos dryer won’t heat up – it’s that simple. Often, users forget to turn on the gas supply line and shut off the valve, and once that happens, the dryer won’t turn on or heat.
Others fail to connect the gas supply to the dryer, and the result is the same.
Fix
Start by checking your dryer gas supply. Ensure it’s well connected. After that, inspect the shut-off valve and open it to allow gas to flow. Just turn the valve to enable its handle to align parallel to the gas supply pipe.
7. Faulty Gas Valve Solenoid
The gas valve solenoid’s job is to allow gas supply into the dryer’s burner. That means the burner won’t get any gas to ignite if the solenoid is faulty. And if that doesn’t happen, your gas dryer will stay cold.
Fix
Consider testing the solenoid’s continuity. It must be defective and worth replacing if it shows no continuity.
8. Faulty Igniter
For the gas to ignite and allow your gas dryer to heat up, the spark has to originate from the igniter. That, however, won’t happen if the igniter is faulty. (https://primer.com.au/) Though an igniter doesn’t fail often, it could be the reason the burner won’t get hot.
Fix
Test the igniter’s continuity level to determine if it’s faulty. If it is, then replace it.
9. Malfunctioning Flame Sensor
As its name hints, the flame sensor’s job is to detect heat/flame sparked by the igniter. Once the igniter sparks adequate heat, the sensor compels the solenoid to open up and allow gas to flow to the burner.
So, if it’s not working, the solenoid won’t open, and the burner won’t heat up.
Fix
Use a multimeter on the flame sensor to determine its continuity level at room temperature. If it’s negative, replace the sensor.
Maytag Bravos Electric Dryer Not Heating
If you have an electric Maytag dryer that won’t get hot, consider these possibilities in addition to the first five:
10. Power Failure
A blown-up fuse is not the only thing that interferes with your electric dryer’s electric current supply. Issues like a tripped breaker (when there’s a surge), a faulty power cord, or a defective electric outlet could also prevent your dryer from getting any power.
Once that happens, your Maytag Bravos dryer is unable to heat up.
Fix
Check your home circuits to see if the circuit breaker is tripped and reset it. And using a multitester/multimeter, test the power cord and socket for continuity and voltage and replace them if they are faulty.
11. Burnt Heating Element
The heating element’s job is to heat the air before it gets into the dryer drum. So, if it’s faulty, the cold air won’t warm up, and your dryer will stay cold. That often happens when the Maytag Bravos dryer heating element burns out.
Fix
Test your heating element’s continuity level with a multimeter. If it shows no continuity, it’s likely burned, so you should replace it.
12. Malfunctioning High Limit Thermostat
The high limit (hi-li) thermostat’s job is to regulate your dryer’s temperature. Once the dryer overheats, the thermostat shuts the burner off, stopping the dryer from getting hot. So, the thermostat is worth checking.
Fix
Use a multimeter to check the hi-li thermostat’s continuity. If it lacks continuity, replace it.
13. Faulty Cycling Thermostat
As its name suggests, the cycling thermostat circles hot air around your dryer. If it’s faulty, the dryer won’t heat. Note, however, that the cycling thermostat rarely fails, but it’s a possibility worth checking.
Fix
Test the cycling thermostat continuity level with a multimeter and replace it if it shows none.
14. Faulty Timer
The last check for a non-heating electric Maytag Bravos dryer is the timer. Overall, it’s the least likely to be faulty compared to the other discussed components, but it could happen. Its faultiness means the dryer is unable to run.
Fix
Use a multimeter to check the timer’s continuity level. If it shows no continuity, get a new timer.
Is Your Maytag Bravos Dryer Still Not Getting Hot? Try this!
If your Maytag Bravos dryer still won’t get hot after going through the above 14 checks, the only remaining probable explanation is a defective main control board. Consider replacing it but before you do, confirm that none of the other dryer parts are bad.
Are there any similar threads or discussions related to Maytag dryers in the passage?
Yes, there are similar threads and discussions related to Maytag dryers in the passage. Some of these include:
1. “MGDC300XW1 gas dryer will not start” – started by jwoodhall on Sep 3, 2023, with 1 reply and 167 views.
2. “Maytag Bravos ecoconserve MCT electric dryer Model MEDX700XL0 disassemble ?” – started by cowebb1 on Aug 5, 2023, with 4 replies and 631 views.
3. “Maytag front load dryer not running.” – started by bthomas154 on Aug 1, 2023, with 0 replies and 226 views.
4. “Maytag Dryer LDG8704AAE heat does not stay on” – started by Mike86 on Nov 7, 2023, with 4 replies and 125 views.
5. “Maytag Bravos XL Dryer (MEDB835DW3) clicks but won’t run” – started by Ty_Bower on Jul 4, 2023, with 7 replies and 874 views.
These threads discuss various issues and problems with Maytag dryers, such as failure to start, disassembly questions, lack of heat, and clicking sounds without running.
What replacement part did someone suggest to fix the issue?
What should be done before considering the replacement of the main control board according to Excerpt_Yours?
Excerpt_Yours advises confirming that none of the other dryer parts are bad before considering the replacement of the main control board.
What are the potential causes of the issue according to Excerpt_Yours?
Excerpt_Yours suggests potential causes such as a faulty sensor, burned component, lack of continuity in certain parts, or a defective main control board.
Are there any other ideas or suggestions?
The person is open to other ideas and is willing to consider alternative solutions.
Did anyone else have the same issue?
Yes, someone else online had the same issue, indicating that it is not an isolated problem.
What did someone else suggest to fix the issue?
Another person suggested replacing the WPW10336133 Control Board (user interface panel) to resolve the issue.
“In a search online, it appears that someone else had the same issue and by replacing the WPW10336133 Control Board (user interface panel) it worked. I may give that a shot. If anyone else has other ideas I am all ears. However, let’s explore some other possibilities as well. Here are some suggestions based on common troubleshooting steps:
– If you find that the sensor is not functioning properly and providing a negative reading, it is recommended to replace the sensor.
– In case the sensor shows no continuity, it is likely burned and should be replaced.
– If you come across a lack of continuity in any component, it is advisable to replace it for optimal performance.
– To determine the cycling thermostat’s continuity level, use a multimeter and replace it if it shows no continuity.
– Similarly, check the timer’s continuity level using a multimeter. If it shows no continuity, consider getting a new timer.
Now, if you have gone through the above 14 checks and your Maytag Bravos dryer still won’t heat up, the only remaining probable explanation is a defective main control board. It is worth considering replacing it as a last resort. However, before doing so, ensure that none of the other dryer parts are faulty. Remember, thorough troubleshooting is key to identifying the root cause of the issue and finding the appropriate solution.”
Closing Remarks On Maytag Bravos Dryer Not Heating!
As shared, there are different possibilities for a non-heating Maytag Bravos dryer. Whether it’s gas or electric type, consider the case of a blown up thermal fuse, blocked air vent (or wrong type), incorrect dry circle, and clogged lint screen.
However, to not avoid checking for the other possibilities, including gas or power failure and component malfunction.
Also Read:
- How to Fix a Maytag Bravos Dryer Not Drying
- Troubleshooting Maytag Bravos XL Dryer Not Getting Hot
- Why Maytag Bravos Washer Won’t Spin
- Why Your Maytag Bravos Washer is Stuck on Sensing
- Maytag Bravos Problems Troubleshooting Manual
- Troubleshooting Guide for a Maytag Dryer That Won’t Start
- Troubleshooting Guide for Maytag Gas Dryer