Most common causes
- Clogged lint filter or vent. Restricted airflow makes the dryer overheat, which trips safety parts and stops the heat. It is also a fire risk.
- Tripped breaker on an electric dryer. Electric dryers use a double breaker. If one side trips, the drum can still turn but the heating element gets no power.
- Blown thermal fuse. The thermal fuse cuts the heat when the dryer overheats, usually because of a blocked vent. On many dryers it stops the heat, and on some it stops the whole dryer.
- Failed heating element. On electric dryers the element can break and stop heating, often after years of use or a vent restriction.
- Gas igniter or valve coil failure. On gas dryers, the igniter may glow but the gas valve coils do not open, or the igniter does not glow at all.
- Thermostat or sensor problem. Cycling thermostats and temperature sensors control the heat. If one fails, the dryer may not heat or may heat too little.
What you can safely check
- Clean the lint filter and wash it with warm soapy water if it looks clogged with dryer sheet residue.
- Pull the dryer out and check that the vent hose is not crushed or kinked. Go outside and check that air blows out strongly from the vent hood while the dryer runs.
- For an electric dryer, check the breaker panel. Turn the dryer breaker fully off and back on.
- For a gas dryer, make sure the gas valve behind the dryer is open. If you smell gas, do not touch any switches. Leave the house and call SoCalGas or 911 from outside.
- Make sure you are not using an air only or no heat setting.
Call a technician if
- The lint filter and vent are clear and the dryer still does not heat
- The thermal fuse keeps blowing
- You smell burning or the dryer is very hot on the outside
- You smell gas near a gas dryer
What affects the repair cost
A thermal fuse or thermostat is usually a simple repair. Heating elements, igniters, and gas valve coils cost a bit more. Cleaning a blocked vent is often part of the fix, because a new part will fail again if the vent stays clogged.
