Dryer repair
Buena Vista, Lexington & Rockbridge County
Gas and electric dryers. A dryer that runs but won’t heat, takes two cycles to dry a load, or won’t start at all usually points to a heating element, a gas igniter, a thermal fuse, or a vent that can’t breathe.
Call (540) 555-0147- Controls and start switch
- Lint screen
- Door switch
- Exhaust vent connection
Troubleshooting chart
| Problem | Possible cause | What we do |
|---|---|---|
| Runs but doesn’t heat | Blown thermal fuse, failed heating element (electric), weak igniter or gas valve coils (gas), tripped high-limit thermostat | Test the heat circuit part by part, replace the failed component, check the vent so it doesn’t happen again. |
| Takes too long to dry | Clogged lint screen or exhaust vent, crushed vent hose, weak heat source | Check airflow at the outside hood, clear the vent run, check heater output. |
| Won’t start | Door switch, start switch, thermal fuse, broken drive belt | Test the start circuit, replace the failed switch, fuse or belt. |
| Motor hums but the drum doesn’t turn | Broken drive belt, seized idler pulley, motor fault | Replace the belt and idler pulley, test the motor. |
| Squealing, thumping or scraping | Worn drum rollers, idler pulley, drum glides or felt seals | Replace rollers, glides and seals as a set. |
| Very hot cabinet or a burning smell | Restricted vent, lint packed inside the cabinet | Stop using it. Clean out the cabinet and vent, test the thermostats. |
Check these before you call
- Clean the lint screen and look into the slot it sits in for packed lint.
- Go outside while it runs: you should feel a strong stream of warm air at the vent hood.
- Pull the dryer out and make sure the vent hose behind it isn’t crushed or kinked.
- Electric dryers run on a double breaker; check both halves. On a gas dryer, make sure the gas valve is open.
- Note the model number, usually on a label inside the door opening.
Questions
- How often should a dryer vent be cleaned?
- About once a year, more often for long vent runs or busy households. A restricted vent is the most common cause of slow drying and blown thermal fuses.
- Do you service gas dryers?
- Yes, gas and electric, including the igniter, flame sensor and gas valve coils on gas models.
- My dryer keeps blowing thermal fuses. Why?
- The fuse is the symptom, not the cause: something is overheating the dryer, and it’s almost always airflow. Replacing the fuse without clearing the vent just repeats the failure.
Dryer still not working? Book a repair visit.
Call (540) 555-0147 Send a service request