A dryer that tumbles but won't heat has failed somewhere in the heating circuit. The drum motor is fine — that's why it still runs. But the heating system — fuse, element, thermostat, or gas valve — has stopped working. Diagnosis identifies which one. This is a same-visit repair in most cases.
The $89 diagnostic covers the full heating circuit check. If you proceed, the fee applies toward the repair.
Check These Two Things Before Calling
The Circuit Breaker (Electric Dryers Only)
Electric dryers use two 120-volt legs for 240-volt operation. If one leg trips, the dryer runs but doesn't heat — the motor works on one leg; the heating element uses the other. Open the breaker panel and look for a tripped breaker on the dryer circuit. If one side of the double-pole breaker has tripped, reset it completely (off, then on). If it trips again immediately, there's a wiring issue — that's a technician call.
The Exhaust Vent
A clogged exhaust vent restricts airflow. With no place for hot air to go, the thermal fuse — a one-time-use safety device — blows to prevent fire. The dryer stops heating. A new fuse will blow again within a few cycles if the vent restriction isn't cleared first. The CPSC identifies clogged dryer vents as a leading cause of residential fires — clearing the vent is not optional.
Disconnect the exhaust hose from the back of the dryer and run a cycle. If the dryer heats without the hose connected, the vent line is blocked. Clear the vent before ordering parts.
Electric Dryer: No Heat — Components in Order of Likelihood
Thermal Fuse
The most common single cause of no heat on any electric dryer. A one-time thermal cutoff that trips at roughly 196°F. Once blown, the circuit is open — no heat until replaced. Cost to replace: $80–$130 including labor. Parts cost alone: $5–$15.
The thermal fuse blows from: vent restriction (most common), overloaded drum, or a failed cycling thermostat.
Heating Element
The element is a coil of nichrome wire that glows red when energized. When it breaks — from age and thermal cycling — the circuit opens and heating stops. Testing takes a multimeter and two minutes. Cost to replace: $120–$200 depending on the brand and element access.
High-Limit Thermostat and Cycling Thermostat
There are usually two thermostats in an electric dryer: a cycling thermostat that regulates operating temperature and a high-limit thermostat that cuts heat if the cycling thermostat fails. Either can fail open, stopping all heat. Both are inexpensive parts — $10–$25 each — and take 20–30 minutes to replace. Labor brings the total to $100–$160.
Control Board
The last thing on the list. Control boards fail on modern dryers, but the heating element and thermostats fail far more often. If every other component tests good, the board is the remaining suspect. Board replacement: $180–$350 depending on the model.
Gas Dryer: No Heat — Components in Order of Likelihood
Igniter
The igniter glows orange to ignite the gas. When it fails, the gas valve opens but nothing ignites. The dryer tumbles. No heat. Igniter replacement: $100–$160.
Thermal Fuse
Same function as on electric dryers — one-time safety cutoff. Same root causes: vent restriction, overloaded drum. Replacement: $80–$130.
Gas Valve Solenoids
The gas valve has two or three solenoid coils that open and close gas flow. One or more solenoids fail while others remain functional — the valve doesn't open fully, or at all. Solenoid kit replacement: $120–$190.
Flame Sensor / Radiant Sensor
The flame sensor detects whether the igniter has reached ignition temperature before opening the gas valve. A failed sensor keeps the valve closed even when the igniter is working. Replacement: $90–$150.
Repair Costs at a Glance
The $89 diagnostic tells you which component before any work starts. Most dryer no-heat repairs land between $100 and $220 total. If the repair quote exceeds half the cost of a new dryer and the dryer is more than eight years old, we'll say so.
Common repair ranges: thermal fuse $80–$130, heating element $120–$200, thermostats $100–$160, igniter $100–$160, gas valve solenoids $120–$190, control board $180–$350.
Service in Tampa Bay: dryer repair, washer repair, and washer and dryer repair across Pasco, Hillsborough, and Pinellas Counties. If the dryer is over ten years old and multiple components have failed, Energy Star certified dryers use significantly less energy than older models — worth factoring into the replace decision.
Anatoliy
Licensed Electrical Contractor · ER-13016759 · Tampa Bay, FL
Owner of My Fixer LLC, serving Tampa Bay since 2006. 317 Google reviews at 4.9 stars.
About Anatoliy →Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my dryer run but not heat?+
The drum motor works on a separate circuit from the heating system. When the thermal fuse, heating element, thermostat, or igniter fails, the motor keeps running but the heat stops. The most common cause is a blown thermal fuse — a one-time safety device that trips when the dryer overheats, usually from a clogged exhaust vent.
How much does dryer repair cost in Tampa Bay?+
The $89 diagnostic applies toward the repair. Most no-heat repairs — thermal fuse, thermostats, igniter — cost $100–$200 total. Heating element replacement runs $120–$200. Control board replacement is the most expensive: $180–$350. Most dryer repairs are completed same-day if parts are in stock.
My electric dryer runs but won't heat. What should I check first?+
Check the circuit breaker first. Electric dryers run on 240 volts — two 120-volt legs. If one leg trips, the motor runs but the heating element doesn't. Reset the double-pole breaker (all the way off, then on). If it holds, the issue was a momentary overload. If it trips again, call for service.
Can a clogged dryer vent cause no heat?+
Yes. A clogged vent traps hot air inside the drum. The thermal fuse — a one-time safety device — blows to prevent fire. The dryer stops heating. Replacing the fuse without clearing the vent means the new fuse blows within a few cycles. Vent clearing is part of every thermal fuse replacement we do.
How long does dryer repair take?+
Diagnosis and most component replacements are completed in one visit. Thermal fuse, thermostat, and igniter replacements take 30–60 minutes once diagnosed. Heating element replacement takes about an hour. If the control board needs to be ordered, expect one to three additional days.
Is it worth repairing a dryer that won't heat?+
For most no-heat failures, yes — the repair cost ($100–$220) is a fraction of replacement cost. If the dryer is over eight years old and the control board or drum bearing has also failed, the math changes. The $89 diagnostic gives you the full repair quote so you can make that call with real numbers.
Do you repair gas and electric dryers in Tampa Bay?+
Yes. Gas and electric dryers are both serviced in Pasco, Hillsborough, and Pinellas Counties. Gas dryer no-heat calls most often involve the igniter or thermal fuse. Electric no-heat calls most often involve the thermal fuse or heating element.
