Blog

What to Do if Your Dryer's Not Heating Up

by Fred's Appliance

A repairman fixing a dryer

At a Glance:

About Dryer Repair

Typical Lifespan of Dryers

Common Dryer Problems

Recommended Replacement Dryers

Why Trust Us?

Nothing sets the mood to the day like pulling a damp pair of pants out of the dryer, unless you give it another round only to find you have an even bigger problem: a dryer not heating. It’s a frustrating commonality dryer owners face, but the biggest defense is knowing how to address the issue if it ever happens to you. We’ve put it all together in this guide, where we cover the top reasons for a dryer not heating, how much it costs to fix the problem, and what you can do about it yourself. For good measure, we’ve also thrown in a list of our most reliable dishwashers, just in case you’re ready to upgrade old faithful for a new setup.

Discover the Best Dryer Deals

Take care of your clothes. Upgrade to one of the latest dryers from our wide selection here at Fred's Appliances.

Shop Now

About Dryer Repair

 Dollar bills rolling around in a dryer

Understanding your dryer’s issue is the first step in looking for the proper repair. Here’s what you should know before seeking professional appliance repair.

Average Cost to Repair a Dryer

If you're facing minor issues such as clogged dryer vents, non-functional switches, and faulty thermostats, you might be able to solve it on your own if you are a bit of an electrician diva.

How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Dryer?

Dryer repair prices typically average between 100$–200$. But if your dryer is facing a significant problem, such as a broken belt, it can cost you about 400$–450$.

In this case, if your dryer has surpassed its estimated life and requires loads of money to be repaired, it would be a good decision to look for a new dryer. If you are considering buying a new dryer, Fred’s Appliances has covered you with our wide selection of dryers from to brands.

Electric Dryer vs Gas Dryer Repairs

To help you find a better solution for your dryer issues, let's look deeper into the types of dryers: electric and gas. Repair and maintenance costs differ for each fuel source because they use different power sources and mechanisms.

Electric dryers use electricity to operate and generally require simpler with installation and repairs compared to gas dryers. Additionally, electric dryers do not have ignition pilots, so there is no live flame from an outlet, which can be susceptible to damage.

On the other hand, gas dryers use both electricity to generate a spark, which ignites once it comes into contact with a gas supply. The use of both electric and gas parts means there’s potentially more room for issues, which can lead to higher repair cost.

Typical Lifespan of Dryers

The average dryer lifespan is 10–13 years with proper dryer maintenance.

Of course, things start to change dramatically after this period.  Overall, we recommend you say goodbye to your old one and look for a newer, upgraded model before if it’s anywhere between 10 and 13 years old to avoid paying unnecessary repair costs before they happen.

Learn More: Laundry Cycles Explained

Common Dryer Problems

 A young woman looking distraught while taking clothes out of a dryer

Your dryer stops heating up for many reasons, some of which are more common than others, such as vent clogging, broken heating elements, tripped circuit breakers, etc. The following are the most common causes for a dryer not heating.

Defective Thermal Fuse and Heating Element

A thermal fuse is a part of an electric dryer that prevents the dryer from overheating. The rise in temperature of the dryer above a specific temperature causes the fuse to be tripped. A blown or tripped thermal fuse causes the dryer to blow cold air. A heating element produces heat for the dryer that dries your wet clothes. A faulty heating element has no rise in dryer temperature because no heat is produced.

●       Average Repair Cost: $100–$300
●       We recommend professional dryer repair.

Faulty Dryer Thermistor/ Thermostat

A dryer thermostat maintains is what maintains the temperature within the dryer. If it happens to become faulty or broken, a dryer stops heating up, and you get wet clothes that are not dried properly.

●       Average Repair Cost: 50$–$200
●       Start by using a multimeter to test if both of these components are working correctly. If not, you can replace the thermostat with a new one, which we recommend having a professional do.

Tripped Circuit Breaker

Sometimes, the reason for dryer not heating is simple. If a heating circuit breaker is tripped, the electric or gas dryer can also stop heating up.

●       You can repair it by restarting the tripped or blown circuits. Don't forget to unplug the dryer before changing the breaker.

Defective Flame Sensor

If you have a gas dryer, damage to the flame sensor can result in the dryer not heating up. A flame sensor ignites the flame, which is not produced with a faulty flame sensor.

●       Average Repair Cost: $100–$200
●       It is best to get it repaired by a professional or appliance expert.

Recommended Replacement Dryers

Tired of dealing with all these issues with dryers? No worries, because these recommended dryers at Fred's Appliances are efficient, upgraded, and better equipped, so that you can enjoy smooth laundry for years to come.

GE® White Smart Front Load Electric Dryer

 Front view of the GE GFV55ESSNWW  dryer

Shop This GE Dryer

Upgrade your laundry routine with the innovation of this GE dryer. With its Quick dry, sanitization cycle, and wrinkle care technologies, your clothes remain evergreen. Over 3,700 buyers give this dryer a perfect rating, with top mentions going toward its large capacity, Wi-Fi connectivity, sensor dry technology, and 10 cycles to choose from for all types of fabric care.

Featured GE GFV55ESSNWW Review:

"Product has been great. Much quicker drying times than my old dryer. I love that it has an app to let me know when it's finished as it is in my house where we can't hear the chime. So far so good."

GE Profile™ White Front Load Electric Dryer

 Front view of the GE Profile PTD60EBSRWS dryer

Shop This GE Profile Dryer

This dryer knows which cycle to complete your last wash before you even start to load it. It’s not magic—it’s the Washer Link feature, which syncs compatible GE Profile smart washers and dryers, allowing them to “communicate” info on soil levels, load size, and even the types of fabrics being washed. It even does it while still earning an Energy Star rated performance, making it a smart choice all around.  

★ Featured GE Profile PTD60EBSRWS Review:

"I just got my set today, and it's gorgeous!! I have washed and dried two loads of laundry and am so impressed. The set was very quiet, and the overall performance was perfect!"

Bosch® White Front Load Electric Dryer

 Front view of the Bosch 500 Series WTW87NH1UC dryer

Shop This Bosch Dryer

Take your laundry experience to the next level with excellent auto-maintenance, energy-efficiency, intelligent controls, and the latest tech that this electric dryer offers. As with all Bosch appliances, efficiency is at the heart of this dryer’s design, featuring a self-cleaning condenser and heat pump technology that recycle heat. With the capacity to dryer up to 18 towels in one go, this model proves smart design can also be powerful.

Featured Bosch WTW87NH1UC Review:

"This heat pump dryer works well and only uses about 500 watt-hours to dry a load. That is much, much less than other dryers I have used."

Electrolux White Electric Dryer

 Front view of the Electrolux ELFE7537AW dryer

Shop This Electrolux Dryer

Say goodbye to your old, noisy, and bulky dryer and enjoy the style and efficiency of this modern marvel from Electrolux. With an impressive 8 cubic feet of dryer space, this large-capacity dryer was made for full-size households. It’s the only dryer on the market with the LuxCare Dry System with advanced humidity detection to determine just how long clothes should dry to prevent excessive heat damage.

★ Featured Electrolux ELFE7537AW Review:

"The dryer does an outstanding job, very quiet and a a great size to take care of all our needs"

Maytag® 7.4 Cu. Ft. White Front Load Electric Dryer

 Front view of the Maytag MED6230HW dryer

Shop This Maytag Dryer

This Maytag electric dryer boasts over 2,400 perfect ratings from users who highlight the benefit of its Extra Power button for heavy-duty drying, plus specialty cycles like wrinkle prevention and a quick dry mode. Each load is carefully tended by advanced moisture detection that accurately determines when clothes are dry.

★ Featured Maytag MED6230HW Review:

"Great dryer, easy to set up and operate. Can't wait till the washer gives out so I can purchase. The matching model."

LG Graphite Steel Front Load Electric Dryer

 Front view of the LG DLE7300VE dryer

Shop This LG Dryer

Intelligent design makes all the difference, and for our money, this LG electric dryer is a standout. For starters, it’s the only dryer on the market with a multi-directional door that can drop down or open out. That means it’s compatible with more laundry room layouts. The LG DLE7300VE is also equipped with Smart Pairing technology for ease of use, and every load dries to perfection with Sensor Dry technology. 

★ Featured LG DLE7300VE Review:

"We bought these 2 years ago, they are worth the money, they are holding up very well, and when we did have an issue with the dryer it was taken care of immediately."

In a nutshell, the dryers are essential for daily laundry routine. Don't let a faulty dryer ruin your day and your clothes. Choose the best and most reliable brand while purchasing a dryer. At Fred's Appliances, we offer high-quality and cost-effective dryers from the best brands with comprehensive guarantees and knowledge. So why wait? Check out the dryer collection at Fred's Website and take the first step towards a better laundry experience.

Why Trust Fred’s Appliance?

Fred's Appliance is the go-to store for all your appliance needs in the inland Northwest area. Established in 1962, Fred's Appliance has been serving customers for over five decades and counting. With an experienced and knowledgeable staff, Fred's provides a welcoming atmosphere that helps customers find the best product to fit their needs, budget, and lifestyle.

When you shop with Fred's Appliance, you can be sure that you're getting the best brands at the best prices. In our store, you will find a variety of refrigerators, ranges, wall ovens, cooktops, dishwashers, and more. We also carry washers and dryers in both front-load and top-load styles. Not only are we dedicated to providing an unbeatable selection of appliances, but we are equally committed to the local community. We proudly support many charitable organizations throughout Washington, Idaho, and Montana. When you shop at Fred's Appliance, you're not only getting a great product but helping out your neighbors too!

Shop Dryers at Fred’s Appliance

If you're looking for a great appliance shopping experience, shop laundry appliance online or visit one of our showrooms in Washington, Idaho, or Montana to see what a difference buying locally with an experienced retailer makes. Our appliance experts will be happy to help you solve appliance problems like a dryer not drying and more. Contact us today and discover the perfect appliance for your home.

Learn More: Laundry Room Storage Hacks