Dryers
Dryer runs but doesn't heat
The drum turns, the timer counts down, and the clothes come out as wet as they went in. The cause is usually a safety part that has done its job, and the reason it tripped matters as much as the part.
- Proudly CanadianOttawa-based team
- BBB accreditedRepairWell, our operator
- 15+ yearsof technician experience
- Insured technicianslicensed for gas work
- Satisfaction guaranteed90-day warranty on replaced parts
- Free diagnosticwhen you go ahead with the repair
Safe checks before you book
- Electric dryers: the breaker. Electric dryers use a double breaker. If one half trips, the drum can still turn with no heat. Reset it fully off and then on.
- Gas dryers: the supply. Check the gas valve behind the dryer is open and other gas appliances are working.
- The vent. Go outside while the dryer runs. You should feel strong, warm airflow from the vent hood. Weak airflow means a blocked duct.
- The lint screen. Clean it, and wash it with soapy water if fabric softener has left a film that air can't pass through.
Unplug first. Switch off power (and close the water or gas supply where it applies) before looking behind or inside an appliance. If anything feels unsafe, stop and call.
What usually causes it
| Thermal fuse or cut-off | A one-time safety fuse that opens when the dryer overheats, usually because the vent is restricted. Replacing it without fixing the airflow means it will fail again. |
|---|---|
| Heating element | On electric dryers, the coil can break and stop heating. |
| Gas igniter or valve coils | On gas dryers, the igniter glows but the gas doesn't light, or it doesn't glow at all. |
| Thermostats | Cycling or high-limit thermostats that fail open. |
When to stop and call
A burning smell, scorched clothes, or a dryer that is hot to the touch outside. Stop it and unplug it. Lint fires are a real risk with a blocked vent.
What the visit costs
The diagnostic is free when you approve the repair and it's completed. You get the cause, the parts, labour and total in writing before any work. If you don't go ahead, it's $89 + tax for a home electric appliance, or $149 + tax for a gas appliance.
Repairs that fix this
Dryer thermal fuse replacementA one-time safety fuse on the exhaust or heater housing. It opens if the dryer overheats, cutting…Dryer heating element replacementOn electric dryers, a coil of resistance wire in a housing heats the…Gas dryer igniter and valve coil repairGas dryers light the burner with a glowing igniter; solenoid coils on the gas valve open the gas…