What usually causes it
- Blocked or crushed vent. Lint in the duct, a crushed transition hose behind the dryer or a stuck outside flap holds hot, wet air inside.
- Thermal fuse. A one-time safety fuse that opens when the dryer overheats. On many models the dryer still tumbles but makes no heat.
- Heating element (electric). The coil can break. Electric dryers also need both legs of their 240V circuit, so a tripped half of the breaker gives tumbling with no heat.
- Igniter and gas valve coils (gas). A weak igniter glows but does not open the valve, or the coils fail when the valve heats up, so heat starts and stops.
- Cycling and high-limit thermostats. These control and protect the heat. A failed thermostat can stop heat entirely.
- Moisture sensor bars. Coated with dryer-sheet residue, they end auto-dry cycles too early.
Dryer not heating
The drum turns but the clothes stay cool. On electric dryers it is often a heating element or thermal fuse; on gas dryers, an igniter or gas valve coil.
Check first: Clean the lint screen and check whether the breaker (electric) or gas valve (gas) is fully on.
Dryer taking too long to dry
Slow drying is usually airflow: a clogged vent, a crushed transition hose, or a long vent run through the attic.
Check first: Clean the lint screen, check the hose behind the dryer, and feel for strong airflow at the outside vent.
Safe checks you can do
- Clean the lint screen and wash it with soapy water if it is coated.
- Disconnect the transition hose behind the dryer and check for lint and crushed sections.
- With the dryer running, go outside and feel for strong, warm airflow at the vent hood.
- For electric dryers, check both breakers on the dryer circuit.
- Clean the moisture sensor bars inside the drum with rubbing alcohol.
- Do not use plastic or foil accordion hose for the vent.
Parts that fail most often
- Thermal fuses blow after vents clog, and will blow again if the vent is not cleared.
- Heating elements fail on electric dryers. Igniters and valve coils fail on gas dryers.
- Long vent runs through the attic in two-story homes are slow to dry.
How your home affects it
In older homes
Older homes in the Houston area often have smaller kitchens and laundry closets built for smaller appliances, older wiring, and shut-off valves that have not been turned in years. Old vent hoses and short standpipe drains are common, and both can make a good machine look broken.
In new construction
Newer homes in the Houston area usually come with builder-grade appliances, and many early problems are installation issues rather than failed parts. Upstairs laundry and long dryer vents through the attic are the norm, and both need attention early.
In apartments and condos
In apartments, condos and townhomes around the Houston area, space is tight and the building often has its own rules for access, parking and shut-off valves. Stacked washer-dryer pairs in closets are common and take extra care to pull out and service.
In garages
Plenty of homes in the Houston area keep a second fridge, a freezer or the laundry in the garage, where summer heat regularly passes 100°F. Garage laundry usually has a short vent, which makes it easier to tell an airflow problem from a dryer problem.
During storm season
Storm season around the Houston area brings power outages, surges and sometimes flooding, and appliances often show problems right after the lights come back on. Do not run a washer or dryer that sat in floodwater. Have it checked first.
When to call for repair
- No heat after you have cleared the vent and checked the breaker.
- Heat starts and then stops on a gas dryer.
- The vent runs through a wall or attic you cannot reach.
If a dryer smells like burning or you see smoke, stop it and leave it off. If you smell gas, leave the house and call the gas utility from outside.
Need help? We do dryer repair across Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties. Call (832) 345-9300, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM. Every repair comes with a 1-year warranty on labor.
Common questions
What usually causes this?
The most common causes are blocked or crushed vent, thermal fuse, heating element (electric), igniter and gas valve coils (gas), cycling and high-limit thermostats and moisture sensor bars.
Is it safe to keep using the dryer?
If a dryer smells like burning or you see smoke, stop it and leave it off. If you smell gas, leave the house and call the gas utility from outside.
When should I call for dryer repair?
No heat after you have cleared the vent and checked the breaker. Heat starts and then stops on a gas dryer. The vent runs through a wall or attic you cannot reach.
Do you repair this in my area?
We repair dryers in homes across Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties. Call (832) 345-9300, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM. Every repair comes with a 1-year warranty on labor.