Before you call
- Clean the lint filter. A packed filter restricts airflow enough to trip a safety thermostat and cut heat — check it before anything else.
- Check the exterior vent flap. Go outside and confirm the vent flap opens when the dryer runs — a blocked or crushed vent line has the same effect as a clogged filter.
- For gas dryers, confirm the gas supply is on. A gas valve bumped off during other work is an easy miss.
- Check the circuit breaker. Electric dryers use two breakers — one can trip and leave the drum turning with no heat.
- Note how long drying is taking. Longer-than-normal cycles even with some heat often point to a lint-restricted vent path rather than a failed part.
When it's time to call a technician
If the filter and vent are clear and it still won't heat, the heating element, thermal fuse, or igniter has likely failed — that's a technician visit, and worth doing promptly since a lint-restricted dryer is also a fire-risk indicator. If you smell gas at any point, stop: don't operate the dryer or any switches, leave the area, and call your gas utility or 911 before doing anything else.
$79 diagnostic fee, credited toward an approved repair · written quote before any repair work begins · 90-day warranty, 1 year on premium brands · licensed and insured.