What causes an electric dryer to not produce heat?
We can attribute this problem to a defect in one of the following dryer parts: the control board, heating assembly and element, thermal fuse, cycling and high-limit thermostats. To diagnose, simply check for any obvious damage and test for continuity (with a multimeter).
Check your dryer's owners manual for guidance to locate each specific part. Alternatively, look online for images or videos of your particular dryer in disassembled form. Once you know where to look, use your multimeter / multitester to see if each part has continuity. Keep in mind, for example, the heating element could have continuity but short out against its housing. If you aren't experienced with continuity testing it's likely best to leave diagnosing to a professional.
What if your issue is just a lack of heat, though?
If your dryer is still producing some heat but drying times are too long... The problem could either be a faulty part or a lack of proper maintenance. Before testing all the different parts and seeking out a dryer repair, do some cleaning.
The venting system, lint trap (soap + scrub) and lint trap chute all need to be cleaned out. More importantly, the machine needs to be taken apart so you can vacuum up dirt, debris, lint and small pieces of clothing that fell through the chute. If not, these materials can clog up the blower wheel and hinder its performance which would explain your longer drying times.
Additionally, remember that not all dryer problems are traced back to the same issue. The mentioned parts are more common but not guaranteed to be the reason for your heat issues. Contact a dryer repair expert today to quickly get to the bottom of your problem.
Some simple efforts can really increase the longevity of your laundry appliances. For instance, your dryer should be maintained for adequate air flow. Clean out the lint trap and chute on a regular basis make sure there are no obstructions in the exhaust duct. Swap any plastic or aluminum foil ductwork as it can accumulate lint and eventually get blocked up. Metal material is a must for your dryer ducts as it will not pose a fire risk and lint will be unable to get jammed up inside of the ductwork.