Dryer Repair
Quick answer
A dryer that runs but does not heat usually has a failed heating element or thermal fuse (electric) or igniter or gas valve coils (gas). One that will not turn often has a broken belt or idler pulley. Angi puts a typical dryer repair at about $180, with most between $100 and $430. Call (888) 217-0236 for an appliance repair technician near you.
Follow the short menu, then your 5-digit ZIP. The line goes quiet for a few seconds while it connects; stay on. If it does not connect, call once more: companies taking calls change minute to minute.
Signs you need a appliance repair technician
- Clothes still damp after a full cycle
- The drum does not turn
- Squealing, thumping or grinding
- The dryer shuts off mid-cycle
- A burning smell
A burning smell or sparks: stop the dryer, unplug it or switch off the breaker, and do not run it again until it is checked.
What to check before you call
- Clean the lint screen and check the vent hose for crushing or lint build-up
- Electric dryers need both halves of a double breaker on
- Gas dryers: make sure the gas valve behind the dryer is open
- Note the brand, model and whether it is gas or electric
What the appliance repair technician does
- 1
Tests the heat circuit
Checks the element or igniter, thermal fuse, thermostats and gas valve coils.
- 2
Checks the drive
Belt, idler pulley, drum rollers and motor.
- 3
Checks airflow
A blocked vent makes dryers overheat and blow fuses; the technician will flag it.
Dryer repair cost
| Job | Typical range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Dryer repair, typical | $100–$430 (about $180) | Angi |
| Dryer repair, national average | $100–$200 | Fixr |
| Appliance technician labor | $40–$120 per hour, parts extra | Angi |
Brand, size and age move the price, per Angi. Sources: Angi cost guides (2025), Fixr cost guides (2025).
Ready to book a appliance repair technician?
One call reaches an appliance repair company taking calls in your ZIP, answered 24/7.
Follow the short menu, then your 5-digit ZIP. The line goes quiet for a few seconds while it connects; stay on. If it does not connect, call once more: companies taking calls change minute to minute.
Step-by-step guides
Dryer Not Drying Clothes: Vent, Lint Screen or Sensor, and When to Call
Warm but damp: a blocked vent, a coated lint screen, a crushed duct or dirty moisture sensors.
Dryer Making Loud Noise: Thumping, Squealing or Grinding, and the Part Behind It
Each dryer noise points to a part: rollers thump, idler pulleys squeal, glides grind.
Dryer Not Heating: Vent, Breaker, Fuse or Element, and When to Call
A lint-blocked vent, a tripped breaker leg, a blown thermal fuse or a failed element or igniter: how to tell which.
Dryer Won't Turn On or Start: Power, Door Switch, Belt or Motor
No power, a door switch, a blown thermal fuse or a broken belt: four checks before you call.
Dryer repair: common questions
Why does my dryer run but not heat?
On electric dryers the usual causes are the heating element and the thermal fuse; on gas dryers the igniter or the gas valve coils. A blocked vent is often why the fuse blew in the first place.
Why does my dryer take two cycles to dry?
Most often a restricted vent. Clean the lint screen and check the vent run outside; if airflow is fine, the heating side needs checking.
Is a squealing dryer dangerous?
Usually it is a worn idler pulley or drum rollers, which will get worse. A burning smell is different: stop using it.
Other appliance repair services
(888) 217-0236 is the appliance repair line. HearthDry is a referral service; the company you reach is independent.