Dryer Not Heating — Repair Cost
The drum turns and the cycle runs, but clothes come out cold and damp. No-heat is the single most common dryer service call, and on electric dryers it almost always comes down to three cheap parts — element, thermal fuse, or thermostat.
National averages for independent repair companies. Service-call/diagnostic fees ($75–$150) are usually applied toward the repair. Costs vary by brand, model, and city.
What causes it — and what each fix costs
Heating element burned out (electric)
The coil breaks like a lightbulb filament — often from restricted airflow overheating it. See the element guide for details.
Thermal fuse blown
A one-shot safety fuse that kills heat (or the whole dryer) when exhaust temps spike — almost always because the vent is clogged. Replace the fuse AND clean the vent, or it will blow again.
Gas igniter or valve coils (gas)
See the gas dryer guide — glow-but-no-flame is the classic coil failure.
Half-tripped breaker (electric)
Electric dryers use a double 240V breaker; if one leg trips, the drum runs but heat is dead. Reset fully off then on. Free.
Cycling thermostat or thermistor
Regulates drum temp; fails cold.
Repair or replace?
Repair. Virtually every no-heat cause is under $300 including labor. Dryers are simple machines — they’re usually worth fixing well past 10 years.
Sources
Where the safety, regulatory and warranty claims on this page come from. Repair costs are our own figures based on Arizona market rates and OEM parts pricing.
- Home Fires Involving Clothes Dryers and Washing Machines National Fire Protection Association Dryer fire incidence, and failure to clean as the leading contributing factor.
- Carbon Monoxide Safety Guide U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Carbon monoxide risk from gas cooking and heating appliances.
We'll quote you on hauling it away — or buying it.
Not every dryer is worth repairing, and we'd rather tell you that than sell you a repair. If you're replacing it, we'll give you a free quote either way: scrap pickup for a machine that's finished, or a cash offer if it still has life in it. Working units, recent models and premium brands are often worth real money.
Common questions
Why did my dryer stop heating right after I moved it?
The flex vent behind it likely got crushed. Restricted airflow trips the thermal fuse fast. Replace crushed foil vent with semi-rigid metal duct.
Electric vs gas — which costs more to fix?
About the same for no-heat: element ($150–280) vs igniter/coils ($120–230). Gas repairs should go to a pro; electric elements are a common DIY.
Model-specific guides for this problem
Find a dryer repair pro near you.
Browse verified independent appliance repair companies by city — ratings, hours, and phone numbers, no middleman.