LG Dryer Not Heating: Causes and How to Fix It
Updated · from manufacturer service documentation
On an LG dryer, "not heating" points to a different component depending on whether you have an electric or gas model — electric dryers heat with resistive heater banks, gas dryers heat with a gas valve/burner assembly. Both share the same restricted-vent and thermistor checks; the difference is in what actually produces the heat.
What Causes an LG Dryer to Stop Heating
| Cause | Likelihood | DIY difficulty | Related part |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted vent (see d80/d90 duct-blockage codes) | Most common | Easy — clean vent | Vent duct |
| Electric type: heater bank(s) not energizing | Common (electric) | Moderate — multimeter | Heater element |
| Gas type: gas valve not opening | Common (gas) | Pro repair | Gas valve |
| Thermistor reading abnormal | Less common | Moderate — multimeter | Thermistor |
| Door open during heater activation (trips thermostat) | Less common | Easy — keep door closed during test | — |
How to Fix an LG Dryer That Won't Heat, Step by Step
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Check the vent first, regardless of fuel type
LG's FLOW SENSE™ duct restriction detection applies to both electric and gas models — see the d80/d90 pages for the full vent-check procedure.
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On electric models, confirm the correct heater bank is energizing
The diagnostic test mode shows Motor + Heater 1 (2700W) for a lower-heat stage and Motor + Heater 1 + Heater 2 (5400W) for full heat — if the display and actual heat output don't match what's expected for the selected stage, that points to a heater bank not energizing.
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On gas models, confirm the gas valve is opening
The same diagnostic test mode shows Motor + Valve for gas-type units instead of a heater bank — if the valve isn't energizing when it should, that's a gas-system fault, not a heater fault, and should be treated with appropriate care (gas connections are technician territory).
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Check the thermistor
Both fuel types use a thermistor to read drum temperature; the diagnostic test mode reports thermistor state directly (open/closed) as part of the same sequence used to check the heater or valve.
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Don't activate the heater manually with the door open during diagnostics
LG's service documentation specifically warns that doing so can trip the thermostat attached to the heater — always run heater/valve checks with the door closed as intended.
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If the vent, heater/valve, and thermistor all check out, the issue is likely control-board level
This is a job for a technician, especially on gas models.
Which Models This Applies To
Documented for the LG DLEX3570 (electric) and DLGX7188 (gas) dryer service manuals — both platforms share the same diagnostic test-mode structure, differing mainly in whether the heat-producing component is a resistive heater bank or a gas valve. For the full electric heater resistance test (18–22 Ω per bank, under 1 Ω element-to-housing), see the cross-brand dryer-not-heating page, which covers this in detail using the same DLEX3570 source.
See also: LG d80, d90, Dryer not heating (cross-brand).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my LG dryer heat with an electric element or a gas valve?
Depends on the model — electric LG dryers use resistive heater banks (documented as "Heater 1" and "Heater 1 + Heater 2" stages); gas LG dryers use a gas valve/burner assembly instead. Check your model number if you're not sure which you have.
Is it safe to test the heater myself with the door open?
No — LG's service documentation specifically warns against activating the heater manually with the door open, since it can trip the thermostat attached to the heater. Run these checks with the door closed as the diagnostic mode intends.
Should I attempt gas valve repairs myself?
No — gas valve and burner issues are technician territory. DIY troubleshooting should stop at confirming the vent is clear and the valve isn't obviously failing to energize in diagnostic mode; leave the actual gas-system repair to a professional.
Why does my dryer heat on low but not on high (or vice versa)?
On electric models, LG's diagnostic shows separate stages for Heater 1 alone (2700W) and Heater 1 + Heater 2 together (5400W) — a fault in just one heater bank can produce partial heat instead of none at all.
Based on the LG service documentation for the DLEX3570 (electric) and DLGX7188 (gas) dryer series. Last updated: .