Dryer not heating: causes for electric and gas dryers, and repair cost
The drum turns, the timer runs, but nothing gets warm. It is almost always one of five parts — and often caused by a clogged vent.
On an electric dryer, no heat is usually the heating element (burnt coil), a blown thermal fuse or high-limit thermostat, or one leg of the 240V supply down (a tripped half-breaker). On a gas dryer, it is the igniter, the flame sensor or the gas valve coils.The root cause behind many of them is a restricted vent — a good repair clears it too.
Your call goes to one independent repair company covering your ZIP code — nobody else. No account, no forms.
Which symptom do you have? Quick checks and what they mean
Safe checks only — anything involving line voltage, gas or refrigerant is for the technician.
| What you see | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Electric: no heat at all | Heating element open, thermal fuse blown, or half the 240V supply lost. | Reset the breaker fully off then on; if no heat, call |
| Electric: warm then cold | Cycling thermostat or vent restriction causing overheat shut-off. | Clear lint filter and check the outside vent flap; then call |
| Gas: igniter glows, no flame | Gas valve coils failed, or flame sensor. | Call |
| Gas: no glow at all | Igniter, thermal fuse, or gas supply off. | Confirm the gas valve is open; then call |
| Very long dry times, hot exterior | Blocked vent duct — the #1 cause and a fire risk. | Clean the vent; if still slow, call |
What the repair usually involves
Depending on the cause, the technician typically replaces one of these parts — the diagnosis on site tells which:
- Thermal fuse + vent clearing
- Heating element (electric)
- Cycling / high-limit thermostat
- Igniter (gas)
- Gas valve coils / flame sensor
- Control board
Repair or replace?
Repair if the quote is under half the price of a comparable new unit and the appliance is not near the end of its typical lifespan. The repair-or-replace calculator gives a quick answer for your appliance and age.
What happens when you call
Brand, model, what it does and does not do — two minutes.
An independent repair company covering your ZIP code.
Visit fee confirmed up front; repair on approval, often the same visit.
Common questions
My dryer runs but never heats — is that dangerous?
A no-heat dryer is not dangerous in itself. What is dangerous is the clogged vent that often causes it. Stop using it if you smell burning; otherwise book a repair and mention how long the vent has gone uncleaned.
Why does the thermal fuse keep blowing?
Because the dryer keeps overheating — restricted vent, failed cycling thermostat or a blower problem. Replacing the fuse alone is a temporary fix; the visit should include the vent.
Gas dryer igniter glows but no flame?
The igniter is not the problem — the gas valve coils or flame sensor are. Still a routine one-visit repair.
Same-day dryer repair?
Often. Elements, fuses and igniters are stocked on most trucks. Availability for your ZIP is confirmed when you call.
Your call goes to one independent repair company covering your ZIP code — nobody else. No account, no forms.
Written by the ApplianceRepair7 team from field-common faults for this appliance and brand. Updated when new information comes in. We publish no prices — the company you are connected with quotes after diagnosis.
Published 2026-09-22 · Updated 2026-09-23