Last updated: 2026-10-30 · By Fix It or Replace editorial team

Kenmore Dryer Not Heating? Both Breakers, 240 V (or 208 V), Gas Valve, Air Only, Lint Screen, Vent, L2, Thermal Fuse, Element, Thermostats, Igniter, Coils — By Model Prefix 110 / 796 / 417 — Fixes, Costs, Repair vs Replace (2026)

Verdict at a glance

Safety check before any DIY (30 seconds)

Stop and don't start the DIY steps below if any of these is true:

• You smell gas. Don't touch switches. Leave, and call your gas utility from outside.
• You smell burning, see scorch marks, or a breaker keeps tripping. Leave it off. Kenmore's guide says call an electrician if the fuse or breaker problem continues.
• Unplug before any panel comes off. For gas dryers, close the gas valve too.
• Gas burner parts (igniter, coils, sensor) sit next to the gas line. If you aren't confident, it's a pro job.
• Don't run the dryer with the lint screen loose, damaged, blocked, or missing. Kenmore says this can cause overheating and damage.
• The vent is crushed, disconnected, or packed with lint. That's what blows the thermal fuse. Fix it first.
• The dryer is within its first year. Use Kenmore's warranty service before removing panels.
• Recall check: search your model on the CPSC recall site before paying for a repair. One example: in 2012, LG and Sears recalled about 21,000 gas dryers (LG and Kenmore brands) for a gas valve fire hazard, with a free gas valve replacement (CPSC notice). If you have an older 796 gas Kenmore, check it before buying a valve.

If none of these apply, the free checks below are safe for most owners.

Fix order at a glance (cheapest first)

DIY tiers: Easy (no tools) · Moderate (basic tools, one panel, multimeter) · Advanced (heater or burner access) · Pro only (house wiring, boards, gas you aren't confident with, or under warranty).

Which Kenmore dryer do you have? (the model prefix decides the parts)

Find the model number on the label inside the door opening or on the back of the dryer. It looks like 110.12345678 or 796.12345678. Kenmore's warranty won't pay for service if the model and serial plate is missing or altered, so keep it readable.

Labeling note: Kenmore's own website publishes warranties and manuals, not model-by-model troubleshooting. The prefix-to-maker mapping comes from parts retailers (PartSelect and Parts Dr, sources 6–7), not an official Kenmore table; we don't claim any company owns Kenmore beyond what Kenmore's warranty page states (the warrantor is a Transformco subsidiary). The free checks on this page come from Kenmore 110-series use-and-care guides. If your model starts with 796 or 417, use your own Kenmore manual (Kenmore manuals) and the matching maker's guide.

Five-minute checks before you call anyone

1. Cycle and temperature. Choose a heated Timed Dry with a temperature other than Air.
2. Breakers. Find both dryer breakers (electric). Switch each fully off, then on. Kenmore's guide also says to use a time-delay fuse if your home has fuses.
3. Gas valve. Open the valve on the supply line (gas).
4. Lint screen. Pull it out and roll the lint off with your fingers. Kenmore says don't rinse the screen to remove lint (wet lint is hard to remove). Vacuum lint from the screen housing.
5. Fabric softener sheet on the air outlet grille, just inside the door behind the lint screen? Remove it. Kenmore says use one sheet, once.
6. Outside hood test. Run the dryer 5–10 minutes and hold your hand under the outside exhaust hood. No air movement = clean the vent or replace it with heavy metal or flexible metal vent.
7. Vent size and route. 4-inch diameter; not too long; not too many turns.
8. Room temperature. Kenmore says dryer cycles need the room above 45°F (7°C).
9. Display codes. L2 = low or no line voltage. PF = power failure.

How to know it's fixed: a few minutes into a heated Timed Dry, the drum and clothes are clearly warm.

Kenmore's own guides disagree on voltage

Our take: many dryers are rated for 240 V and also work on 208 V (common in apartments), but only your manual or the dryer's rating plate says whether yours is. If heat is weak on 208 V, ask an electrician to measure the supply before you buy parts.

Kenmore dryer codes linked to no heat (110-series guides)

LG-built (796) and Frigidaire-built (417) Kenmore dryers can show different codes; check your manual.

Which part each symptom points at:

Codes from Kenmore 110-series use-and-care guides (sources 2–3), checked 2026-10-30. The part mapping is our own from those guides and the Whirlpool-, LG-, and Frigidaire-family part catalogs. We checked the open ApplianceDB sample (source 14) for Kenmore dryer codes; none were in the sample, so it wasn't used here.

Diagnose by symptom → likely part

1. Electric: tumbles, no heat, after long dry times

Likely cause: a thermal cut-off (on the heater housing on many 110 models) or thermal fuse. Both are one-time devices; a blown one usually means the vent was restricted.

DIY difficulty: Moderate.

2. Electric: cold, fuses good

Likely cause: an open heating element, or a failed cycling thermostat.

DIY difficulty: Advanced.

3. Gas: igniter doesn't glow

Likely cause: a failed igniter, an open flame (radiant) sensor, or the thermal fuse.

DIY difficulty: Advanced (gas line nearby).

4. Gas: igniter glows, then goes out with no flame

Likely cause: failed gas valve coils.

DIY difficulty: Advanced.

Prevent it next time

• Clean the lint screen before each load (Kenmore); vacuum the housing as needed.
• One fabric softener sheet, used once.
• Check airflow at the outside hood every few months.
• 4-inch heavy metal or flexible metal vent, short, few turns.
• Don't overload; separate big loads so they tumble freely.

Related guides: Whirlpool dryer not heating · LG dryer not heating · Frigidaire dryer not heating · Amana dryer not heating · Kenmore washer not spinning · GE dryer not starting

What Kenmore's warranty covers on a dryer

Per the Kenmore warranty information page on kenmore.com (revised January 10, 2024; the warrantor is Transform SR Brands Management LLC, a Transformco subsidiary). Your dryer's use-and-care guide has the version that applies to your purchase:

What this means for a dryer that won't heat: in year 1, a failed fuse, element, thermostat, igniter, or coil is a free repair. Kenmore's exclusions include a technician to clean or maintain the product (vent cleaning), to instruct you on operation or installation, expendable items such as filters and belts, problems with house fuses, circuit breakers, house wiring, or gas supply systems, and installation not done by Kenmore authorized agents. You need proof of original sale.

→ Kenmore: warranty information · Kenmore: manuals · Kenmore warranty line 1-844-553-6667

Before you pay for any repair: a 4-point check

1. Warranty: year 1; retailer or credit-card extended protection; any protection agreement you bought.
2. Recalls: search your model at cpsc.gov/Recalls.
3. Free fixes done: cycle, breakers, gas valve, lint screen, outside-hood airflow, vent.
4. Written quote: ask for part, labor, and trip fee separately, the part number for your model prefix, and whether they checked the vent if a fuse blew.

What it costs: repair parts and pro service (2026)

Part prices checked 2026-10-30 on Sears PartsDirect public search pages (S1–S7). Pro-cost cells tagged [GUIDE] from G1 (Fixr) and G2 (HomeGuide), re-read 2026-10-30; [GUIDE] figures are national averages, not Kenmore-specific quotes. Prices change; confirm with your full model number.

Tip: read the tech your full model number, including the prefix. A 110 and a 796 Kenmore dryer use completely different heater parts.

Repair vs. replace calculator

1. What's the all-in repair cost? → R = trip/diagnostic fee + part + labor + tax, minus anything Kenmore's warranty (or a recall) covers
2. What does a comparable new dryer cost, all-in? → N = unit + delivery + installation + haul-away (+ cord, gas connector, or vent kit)
3. How old is your dryer, and how long should it last? → Age and Life (use about 10 years, inside Fixr's 8–12 and HomeGuide's 8–13 ranges, if you don't know)
4. How much have you spent on repairs in the last 2 years? → Past

Step A — Cost ratio: R ÷ N
Step B — Life used: Age ÷ Life
Step C — Repeat-repair check: (R + Past) ÷ N

Repeat-repair rule: if Step C is over 50%, lean toward replacing. If the part is no longer available for your model, replace.

Worked example 1 (illustrative numbers): A Kenmore 110 electric dryer tumbles but stays cold. One of the two breakers is half-tripped. Switching it fully off and on restores heat. R = $0.
→ Not a repair.

Worked example 2 (illustrative numbers): An 8-year-old Kenmore 110 electric dryer stopped heating after weeks of slow drying. The thermal cut-off is open and the outside hood is packed with lint. A tech fits a cut-off kit and cleans the vent: R = $260; N = $900.
260 ÷ 900 = 29%; life used 8 ÷ 10 = 80%; repeat check 29% → Repair (and keep the vent clean).

Worked example 3 (illustrative numbers): A 14-year-old Kenmore 796 electric dryer needs a heating element, a year after a drum repair ($280): R = $420; N = $950.
420 ÷ 950 = 44%; life used 14 ÷ 10 = over 100%; repeat check (420 + 280) ÷ 950 = 74% → Replace.

Tips toward replacing: heat damage, repeat failures on an older dryer, or discontinued parts for your prefix.
Tips toward repairing: it's a fuse, cut-off, thermostat, element, igniter, or coils; the dryer is under about 7 years old; or it's covered.

Why 50%? It's the common rule of thumb, and the one we use. Some technician checklists draw the line a little higher, at about 60% of a new dryer's price, so treat a repair that costs 50–60% of new as a second-quote zone, not an automatic replace.

Who services Kenmore dryers near you

1. Kenmore (warranty). Call the Kenmore warranty line 1-844-553-6667 with your proof of original sale.
→ Kenmore: warranty information

2. A partner appliance pro (out of warranty).
Our call line connects you with an independent appliance repair provider in your area. Tell them electric or gas, the full model number (prefix first), any code, and whether the igniter glows.

Questions to ask any technician:

• Do you work on this platform (Whirlpool-, LG-, or Frigidaire-built)?
• Did you check the vent before replacing the fuse or cut-off?
• Can you split the quote into part, labor, and trip fee?
• What warranty do you give on your labor?

Optional: is an appliance warranty worth it?

A home warranty (service contract) can cover repairs for a yearly fee plus a per-visit service fee. Read the exclusions carefully: plans often exclude vent cleaning and damage from a clogged vent.

FAQ

Why is my Kenmore dryer running but not heating?
Kenmore's guide lists a blown fuse or tripped breaker (electric dryers use two), the wrong power supply, and a closed gas valve. Also check for Air Only, a clogged lint screen, and a blocked vent. After that, a thermal fuse or cut-off, element, thermostat, igniter, or coils.

Who makes my Kenmore dryer?
Check the first three digits of the model number. Parts retailers list 110 as Whirlpool, 796 as LG (laundry), and 417 as Frigidaire. That isn't an official Kenmore table, so confirm with your model's parts list.

What does L2 mean on a Kenmore dryer?
On Kenmore 110-series models with a display, L2 means low or no line voltage is keeping the heater off. Check both breakers and the cord, restart a heated Timed Dry, and consult a qualified electrician if it persists.

Where is the thermal fuse on a Kenmore dryer?
It depends on the maker. On many Whirlpool-built (110) models it's on the blower housing, with a thermal cut-off on the heater. Your model's parts diagram shows the location.

Does a Kenmore dryer work on 208 volts?
One Kenmore 110-series guide says 240 V or 208 V; another says 240 V. Check your own manual and the dryer's rating plate.

How much does it cost to fix a Kenmore dryer that won't heat?
Often nothing. When we checked Sears PartsDirect on 2026-10-30, Whirlpool-family thermal fuses listed for Kenmore dryers ran about $15 to $49. Fixr and HomeGuide put a heating element replacement at $150 to $350.

Should I replace a Kenmore dryer that won't heat?
Rarely: most no-heat parts are inexpensive. Consider it on an older dryer with repeat repairs, or if parts for your model are discontinued.

About the author

Fix It or Replace editorial team — We research appliance repairs using manufacturer documentation, parts-supplier data, and current US cost guides, and we cite every source below. We are not appliance technicians; for gas, house wiring, or control boards, call a qualified pro.
Last updated: 2026-10-30.

Sources

1. Kenmore US: "Warranty Information" (revised January 10, 2024; warrantor Transform SR Brands Management LLC, a Transformco subsidiary; one year free repair or replacement from the date of original sale; 90 days for non-household use; exclusions incl. a technician to clean or maintain, instruction, expendable items such as filters and belts, house fuses, circuit breakers, house wiring, plumbing or gas supply, installation not by Kenmore authorized agents, missing or altered model and serial plate; proof of original sale; 1-844-553-6667). https://www.kenmore.com/warranty-information (accessed 2026-10-30)
2. Kenmore Electric or Gas Dryer Use & Care Guide, models 110.6813*410, 110.7813*410, 110.6913*410, 110.7913*410, 110.C6813*413, 110.C6913*413 (P/N W10680143F), hosted by Sears PartsDirect (dryer will not run: door, Start/Pause held up to 3 seconds with the pad of a finger, 2 fuses or breakers, 240-volt or 208-volt, time-delay fuse; dryer will not heat: drum may turn with no heat, 2 fuses or breakers, call an electrician, 240-volt or 208-volt, gas valve open; lint screen before each load, vacuum the housing; outside hood airflow test 5–10 minutes, heavy metal or flexible metal vent; vent length and turns; 4-inch vent; level; Air Dry Temp; fabric softener sheet on the grille, one sheet once; room above 45°F; closet ventilation; PF; L2 low or no line voltage, touch any pad, check fuses or breakers and cord, restart heated Timed Dry, consult a qualified electrician; "--" knob not on a cycle). https://c.searspartsdirect.com/doc/1701182L (accessed 2026-10-30)
3. Kenmore Electric or Gas Dryer Use & Care Guide, models 110.6813*410, 110.7813*410, 110.C6813*410, 110.6913*410, 110.7913*410, 110.C6913*410, hosted on sears.com (dryer will not heat: 2 fuses or breakers, electric dryers require 240-volt, gas valve open; lint screen: roll lint off, don't rinse, don't run with the screen loose, damaged, blocked, or missing, which can cause overheating; Air Only setting). The PDF didn't download for us; we read its text through a search-engine index on 2026-10-30. http://i.sears.com/s/d/pdf/mp-tc/spinpdf/spin_prod_1277595412 (accessed 2026-10-30)
4. Kenmore US: manuals lookup. https://www.kenmore.com/manuals (accessed 2026-10-30)
5. Whirlpool-family cross-reference for 110 models: our Whirlpool dryer not heating and Amana dryer not heating guides (Whirlpool and Amana US Product Help). LG-family cross-reference for 796 models: our LG dryer not heating guide. Frigidaire-family cross-reference for 417 models: our Frigidaire dryer not heating guide.
6. PartSelect: "Sears and Kenmore Appliance Fault Codes — Model Prefix Chart" (110 = Whirlpool, 417 = Frigidaire). Retailer source, not Kenmore. https://www.partselect.com/justforfun/Sears-And-Kenmore-Appliance-Fault-Codes.htm (accessed 2026-10-30)
7. Parts Dr: "Who Made My Sears Kenmore Appliance? Model Number Prefix Guide" (110 = Whirlpool; 796 = LG for laundry). Retailer source, not Kenmore. https://partsdr.com/blog/who-made-my-sears-kenmore-appliance/ (accessed 2026-10-30)
8. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: recalls search. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls (accessed 2026-10-30)
9. Federal Trade Commission: endorsement and affiliate disclosure guidance. https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/ftcs-endorsement-guides-what-people-are-asking
10. U.S. CPSC: "LG Electronics and Sears Recall Gas Dryers For Repair Due to Fire Hazard" (August 21, 2012; about 21,000 units; turn off gas and stop using; Kenmore or LG dryers bought from Sears: contact Transform for Kenmore branded products for a free gas valve replacement). Found via the ApplianceDB recall table (source 14). https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2012/LG-Electronics-and-Sears-Recall-Gas-Dryers-For-Repair-Due-to-Fire-Hazard (accessed 2026-10-30)
11. Part prices (Sears PartsDirect, S-list) and repair cost guides (Fixr G1, HomeGuide G2), see lists below (accessed 2026-10-30).
12. Kenmore part listings on Sears PartsDirect also include Kenmore-labeled assemblies without a maker named (for example gas valve assemblies 17438200000053 $120.12 and 17438200000561 $224.84; igniter 137524000 $113.65). We list them here for completeness but didn't assign them to a platform. https://www.searspartsdirect.com/search?q=kenmore%20dryer%20gas%20valve%20coil · https://www.searspartsdirect.com/search?q=kenmore%20dryer%20igniter
13. Kenmore US: home page (brand contact and product support). https://www.kenmore.com/
14. ApplianceDB free developer sample (no Kenmore error codes in the sample, so not used for this page's code tables; its CPSC recall table surfaced source 10). Data under the Open Database License (ODbL) v1.0. https://github.com/ApplianceDB/ApplianceDB-public (accessed 2026-10-30)

Part price sources (Sears PartsDirect public search results for "kenmore dryer …", USD, accessed 2026-10-30; GE WE- and Samsung DC- numbers, furnace and microwave parts excluded; prices change, confirm with your model number):

• S1. Search "kenmore dryer thermal fuse": Whirlpool-family WP40113801 $15.08, WP3390719 $19.10, WP3399849 $22.70, WP306604 $26.84, WP3403607 laundry center $32.93, W10909685 $40.71, WP307473 $45.44, WP53-1182 $45.78, WP8572767 $49.17, WP33001762 $49.40 (aftermarket-style WD-7350-015, LA-1053, R9900489 and Samsung DC96-00887C excluded). https://www.searspartsdirect.com/search?q=kenmore%20dryer%20thermal%20fuse
• S2. Search "kenmore dryer thermal cut-off": Whirlpool-family kits W11050897 $12.99, 280148 $36.42, WP35001193 $38.67, 279973 $46.20, 279769 $46.63, 279816 $54.05, WP8573713 $57.25, W11034847 $62.90, W10900067 $63.02, W10169881 $68.90, W10154212 $110.38 (Samsung DC47-/DC96- and LG 383EEL9001C excluded). https://www.searspartsdirect.com/search?q=kenmore%20dryer%20thermal%20cut-off
• S3. Searches "kenmore dryer high limit thermostat" and "kenmore dryer cycling thermostat": Whirlpool-family WP3977767 $13.74, WP694674 $39.66, WP3387134 $43.02, WP3390291 $43.31, WP8573028 $52.67, 279054 $52.79, WP3404153 $53.09, WPY304474 $55.96, WPY304475 $57.51, WP3404154 $65.79, WP8557403 $69.50, WP3391914 $78.59, WP33303391 $98.40; LG 6931EL3003D $18.24, 6931EL3001E $29.18, 6931EL3002M $53.12, 6931EL3001F $57.70, AGM30045804 kit $113.72 (GE, Samsung, Kelvinator, and Kenmore 137539200 excluded). https://www.searspartsdirect.com/search?q=kenmore%20dryer%20high%20limit%20thermostat · https://www.searspartsdirect.com/search?q=kenmore%20dryer%20cycling%20thermostat
• S4. Search "kenmore dryer heating element": Whirlpool-family WP4391960 $27.04, 279838 $50.54, WP3387747 $68.68, W11375548 $70.39, 3937010 $89.19, WP8544771 $98.21, WP3387749 $138.96, WP8544772 $139.13, W10864898 $139.90, WP3403591 $171.06; LG 5301EL1001J $236.31, 5301EL1001A $261.15, 5301EL1001H $302.57; Frigidaire 5304535760 (4,700 W) $77.10 (GE WE11M62 and Samsung DC97-14486A excluded). https://www.searspartsdirect.com/search?q=kenmore%20dryer%20heating%20element
• S5. Search "kenmore dryer igniter": Whirlpool-family kit 279311 $28.26, 4391996 $36.64; Frigidaire 5303937186 $72.00, 5304517325 $146.89; LG 5318EL3001A $134.64 (GE, Samsung, and Kenmore 137524000 excluded). https://www.searspartsdirect.com/search?q=kenmore%20dryer%20igniter
• S6. Search "kenmore dryer gas valve coil": Whirlpool-family kit 279834 $26.08, WPW10368268 $54.67, secondary coil 58804B $65.85, kit WPW10328463 $68.11; Frigidaire kit 5303931775 $20.81 (LG gas valve AGM30063309 $283.06 listed; Kenmore-labeled valve assemblies in source 12). https://www.searspartsdirect.com/search?q=kenmore%20dryer%20gas%20valve%20coil
• S7. Search "kenmore dryer flame sensor": radiant sensor WP338906 $25.91 (furnace and microwave parts excluded). https://www.searspartsdirect.com/search?q=kenmore%20dryer%20flame%20sensor

Pro-cost guide sources [GUIDE] (US national averages, parts + labor, not brand-specific quotes; the guide pages carry 2024–2025 dates, so local quotes may differ):

• G1. Fixr, "How much does it cost to repair a dryer?" (updated January 31, 2025): heating element replacement $150–$350; thermostat $100–$260; igniter $100–$250; coil $150–$300; vent replacement $75–$150; service fee $50–$80, labor $50–$100 per hour; dryers last 8–12 years; new dryer $600–$1,500; brand table has no Kenmore row used here. https://www.fixr.com/costs/dryer-repair (accessed 2026-10-30)
• G2. HomeGuide, "How Much Does Dryer Repair Cost? (2026)" (byline November 14, 2024): heating element $150–$350; thermal fuse $75–$150; thermostat $100–$300; control board $250–$500; igniter $100–$250; coil $100–$200; clogged vent $80–$185; minimum service fee $70–$130; new dryer $800–$1,200 (unit); dryers last 8–13 years on average. https://homeguide.com/costs/dryer-repair-cost (accessed 2026-10-30)

Disclosure

Fix It or Replace is an independent site. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Kenmore, Sears, Transformco, Whirlpool, LG, or Frigidaire. Brand names are trademarks of their owners and are used here only to describe the products we cover.

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• Call line: Phone numbers labeled "partner pro" are operated by a third-party lead service that routes your call to an independent repair provider in your area. We may be paid for calls. We don't employ the technicians, and we don't guarantee their work, pricing, or availability. Confirm licensing, insurance, and quotes directly with the provider.
• Prices are estimates and change often. Always get a written quote.
• Safety: Unplug the dryer (and shut off gas) before working on it. If you smell gas, leave and call your gas utility. If you're unsure, call a qualified professional.

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