Dryer Not Heating? Common Causes & What to Check First
A dryer that tumbles but won't heat wastes hours and drives up your hydro bill. Some causes are simple checks you can do in minutes; others — especially anything involving gas or 240V wiring — belong to a licensed technician.
1. Check the settings and the breaker
Make sure you haven't selected an air-fluff or no-heat cycle. Then check your electrical panel: electric dryers run on a double breaker, and one half can trip — the dryer still tumbles on 120V but the heater gets no power. Flip the dryer breaker fully off and on.
2. Clear the lint — all of it
A clogged lint screen or blocked vent duct restricts airflow, causing poor drying and overheating. Clean the lint trap every load, and check the vent hose behind the dryer and the exterior vent flap. Beyond performance, lint buildup near the heating element is a genuine fire risk.
3. The thermal fuse
When a dryer overheats, a one-time thermal fuse blows to protect your home — and the heat stops until it's replaced. A blown fuse almost always signals a venting problem that needs fixing too, or the new fuse will blow again.
4. Heating element (electric) or igniter (gas)
Electric dryers use a coil element that burns out with age; gas dryers use an igniter and valve coils that weaken over time. Both are among the most common repairs we complete, usually in a single visit with parts on the van.
5. When to call a professional
Gas lines and 240V circuits aren't DIY territory. We service both gas and electric dryers across Toronto and the GTA with same-day appointments — the $80 diagnosis is waived when you proceed with the repair.
Rather Have a Pro Handle It?
Same-day service across Toronto & the GTA.
$80 in-person diagnosis — waived when you proceed with the repair. 1-year parts & 30-day labour warranty.