Dryers
Dryer Not Heating? The 5 Most Common Causes (and the One You Can Check Yourself)
A dryer that tumbles but never gets warm is usually one of five inexpensive parts. What fails, why a clogged vent is often the real culprit, and what repair costs.
By Jax Appliance Pros · · 5 min read
A dryer that runs for an hour and leaves clothes cold and damp is one of the most common calls we get, and also one of the least expensive to fix. Here is what is usually going on, in the order we check it.
1. A blown thermal fuse
The thermal fuse is a one-time safety device that opens when the dryer overheats. On many electric dryers, a blown fuse still allows the motor to run while the heater is disabled. Fuses do not blow for no reason: almost always the cause is restricted airflow, which brings us to the vent.
2. A restricted vent
Lint packs the duct between the dryer and the outside of the house. Airflow drops, heat builds, the thermal fuse blows or the cycling thermostat trips early, and clothes take forever to dry. In Florida, where dryer vents often run through hot attics to the roof, this is the number one root cause we find. It is also a fire hazard. Every dryer repair we do includes an airflow check.
3. A failed heating element
The coil inside an electric dryer's heater housing breaks over time, especially when it has been overheating from a bad vent. The element is a straightforward replacement.
4. A high-limit or cycling thermostat
Two thermostats control heat. If either fails open, the heater never turns on. We test both with a meter rather than guessing.
5. Gas dryer ignition parts
On gas dryers the igniter glows to light the burner. When the igniter weakens, or the gas valve coils or flame sensor fail, the dryer runs cold. Igniters and coils are inexpensive and usually on the van.
The one you can check yourself
Electric dryers use two 120-volt legs to make 240 volts. The motor runs on one leg; the heater needs both. If one breaker in the double-pole pair has tripped, the dryer runs but will not heat. Go to your panel, find the dryer breaker, switch it fully off and back on. If that fixes it, you are done. If it trips again, call us; something is drawing too much current.
You can also check the outside vent flap while the dryer runs. If it barely moves, the duct is restricted.
What dryer repair costs
Dryer parts are among the cheapest in the appliance world. Our repairs start at $179 labor plus the part, and the $79 diagnostic is waived when you approve the repair. Most dryer repairs are done in under an hour on the first visit.
Book dryer repair or call (904) 561-4790.
About Jax Appliance Pros
Locally owned appliance repair for Jacksonville, the Beaches, St. Johns, Clay and Nassau counties. Same-day or next-day service on refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, ovens, cooktops, ranges and garbage disposals. $79 diagnostic waived with the repair, 90-day parts-and-labor warranty, licensed and insured. More about us.