Dryer Won’t Start — Door Switch & Start Switch Cost
Nothing happens when you press start — no hum, no light change — or the dryer only runs while you hold the button. Simple electrical chain: power → door switch → start switch → thermal fuse → motor.
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
Door switch
The little plunger switch stops registering a closed door. Listen for the click when you press it; no click, no start.
Start switch / relay
Runs only while held = bad start switch or motor start relay.
Thermal fuse (on the start circuit in many models)
See the thermal fuse guide — total no-start on many Whirlpool-family dryers.
No power
Check breaker and outlet first. Electric dryers need both legs of 240V to do anything at all on some designs.
Repair or replace?
Repair — every common cause is well under $200.
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 does my dryer start then stop when I release the button?
Classic start switch or motor centrifugal switch failure — the motor isn’t latching its run circuit.
Model-specific guides for this problem
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