If the LG DLEX6500 tumbles but blows cool air, LG's own table lists three causes before any part: the breaker or house fuse has tripped, the gas is off on a gas model, or Energy Saver is on. Energy Saver is selected by default on the Normal cycle and adds an air-dry section at the start, so no heat early on is normal. Deselect it, run Timed Dry with the knob and OK button, and feel the exhaust: LG's heating test says it should be warm after a few minutes on an electric model.
Differential
Likely causes of “LG electric or gas dryer runs but does not heat”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Energy Saver selected on the Normal cycle
What separates it The drum tumbles, the load stays cool at the start and the cycle runs long
How to confirm Turn the Energy Saver option off and restart the Normal cycle
- 2
A tripped breaker or blown house fuse
What separates it The drum runs but the air is never warm and the breaker sits between on and off
How to confirm Reset the breaker once, or replace the fuse with the same rating, and never a bigger one
- 3
The gas supply or a shutoff valve is closed on a DLGX gas model
What separates it The dryer runs with no message, since LG says it will run even without gas
How to confirm Check that the house gas shutoff and the dryer's own shutoff are both fully open
- 4
A blocked exhaust that stops the dryer building heat
What separates it Clothes are warm and damp and the Flow Sense light or a duct blockage message shows
How to confirm Clean the lint filter and check the vent hood outside for lint
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the dryer is electric (DLEX) or gas (DLGX), from the label inside the door
- Whether the Energy Saver option is on and which cycle you used
- Whether a temperature sensor, gas supply or duct blockage message appeared on the display
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedTurn Energy Saver off
ReversibleOn the Normal cycle LG selects Energy Saver by default. It adds an air-dry stretch at the start of the cycle, so turn the option off and start again before suspecting a part.
Check the breaker or fuse
ReversibleLook at the panel. Reset a tripped breaker once, or replace a blown fuse with the same rating. LG says never to raise the fuse capacity, and to have a circuit overload fixed by a qualified electrician.
Check the gas (gas models only)
ReversibleOpen the hose shutoff and the dryer's shutoff fully and confirm other gas appliances work. LG says the dryer runs even when no gas is supplied, and lists a gas supply message for a supply that is off.
Run LG's heating test
ReversibleClose the door, press Power, turn the knob to Timed Dry and press OK. On an electric model the exhaust air should be warm after a few minutes. On a gas model the igniter should light the burner, and if air is in the line it retries after about two minutes.
Clean the lint filter and check the vent
ReversibleLift the filter out, roll the lint off, and hold it to a light for softener film. Then check the outside vent hood, because a restricted duct makes the dryer overheat and can shut off the heat.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Controls named in the manual
- Power, a cycle knob, an Options button, OK, Start/Pause, and option buttons for Steam, Energy Saver, Low Static and Wrinkle Care. Damp Signal and Control Lock are switched from the Options menu.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models DLEX5500, DLEX4000, DLGX6501, DLHC5502, DLHC1455, WKEX200H, DLEX4500, DLGX4001.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If you smell gas at any point, leave the house and call the gas utility from outside
- !If the breaker is on, the gas is open, Energy Saver is off and the exhaust is still cool, call LG service
- !If a temperature sensor error shows, turn the dryer off and call for service as LG instructs
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Why is my LG DLEX6500 cool at the start of a Normal cycle?+
Energy Saver is on by default for Normal and adds an air-dry section at the start, so it is normal to feel no heat early. Turn it off to remove that stretch.
Can the gas version run without gas?+
LG says the dryer will run even if no gas is supplied and no error code shows, so check both gas shutoffs.
How do I run the heating test?+
Press Power, turn the knob to Timed Dry and press OK. On electric models the exhaust air should be warm after a few minutes.
What does the temperature sensor error mean?+
The dryer has a temperature sensor failure. LG says to turn it off and call for service.
Can I use a bigger fuse if it keeps blowing?+
No. LG says never to increase the fuse capacity, and to have a real overload corrected by an electrician.
Does a clogged vent stop heat?+
Restricted exhaust makes the dryer run long and hot. LG says using it with a severely restricted exhaust is dangerous.
How much can the drum hold?+
The manual gives 7.4 cu ft for the DL*X670**, DL*X650** and DL*X550** dryers, with a Normal cycle load of 22.5 lb (10.2 kg).
What is Low Temp Dry?+
A cycle from the manual's cycle list that reduces energy use; its default temperature is Med. Low, so clothes will feel cooler than on Normal.