A dryer that tumbles but won't heat is one of the five most common service calls we handle in Houston. The good news: most causes are fixable and relatively affordable. Here's how to diagnose the problem.
For Electric Dryers: Start With the Breaker
Electric dryers use two 120V circuits from your breaker panel that combine to deliver 240V. It's common for one leg to trip while the other stays on — the result is a dryer that tumbles (runs on one leg) but doesn't heat (the heating element needs both legs).
Go to your breaker panel and look for the dryer breaker (usually a double-pole 30-amp breaker). Reset it fully: push it to the OFF position first, then back to ON. If it trips again immediately, stop and call an electrician — there may be a wiring issue.
This simple check resolves about 15% of 'dryer not heating' calls we receive in Houston.
The 5 Most Common Heating Failures
1. Thermal fuse (Most common) The thermal fuse is a one-time safety device that blows when the dryer overheats. Once blown, it cannot be reset — it must be replaced. In Houston, thermal fuses blow more frequently than in cooler climates because garages and laundry rooms in unsealed Houston homes often reach 90–100°F, putting the dryer closer to its thermal limit before it even starts.
Signs: Dryer suddenly stopped heating. May have run fine before, no warning. Repair cost: $80–150 parts and labor.
2. Heating element (Electric dryers) The heating element is a coil of resistance wire that glows red hot and heats the air. Elements fail from metal fatigue, overheating, or foreign objects (coins, bra wires) that short-circuit the coil.
Signs: Took progressively longer to dry clothes before stopping entirely, or element visibly broken when inspected. Repair cost: $120–200 parts and labor.
3. Gas valve coils (Gas dryers) Gas dryers use solenoid coils to open the gas valve and allow gas flow. When coils fail, the igniter glows but the gas valve never opens. You'll see the igniter glow orange briefly, then go dark — and no heat results.
Signs: Igniter glows but shuts off, no heat. Gas dryer. Repair cost: $130–220 parts and labor.
4. Igniter (Gas dryers) The igniter heats up to ignite the gas. When it fails, the gas valve never opens. Similar symptoms to valve coil failure but a different component.
Repair cost: $100–180 parts and labor.
5. High-limit thermostat Similar to the thermal fuse but resettable on some models. Shuts off heat when the dryer reaches unsafe temperatures.
Repair cost: $90–160 parts and labor.
The Root Cause Most People Miss: Lint
In Houston's humid air, lint compacts more densely than in dry climates. A partially blocked exhaust duct or lint trap causes the dryer to overheat on every cycle, eventually blowing the thermal fuse. If you don't also clean the duct when replacing the fuse, the new fuse will blow again within weeks.
Have your dryer duct cleaned (a 15-minute job for a technician) every 1–2 years in Houston. Signs it's overdue: clothes take more than 45 minutes to dry, the exterior of the dryer is hot to the touch, or you smell a musty burning odor.
Brands We Repair in Houston
Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, GE, Maytag, Electrolux, Kenmore, Amana, Frigidaire. Most repairs are completed same-day with parts in stock.
When to Call a Houston Appliance Technician
If you have checked the circuit breaker, confirmed the vent is not clogged, and the dryer still produces no heat after these basic checks, the fault is internal — a failed heating element, thermal fuse, thermostat, or gas igniter depending on your dryer type. These repairs require disassembly of the dryer and testing of individual components, which is best performed by a trained Houston appliance technician. Most dryer heating repairs in Houston are completed in a single visit, with same-day scheduling available throughout Harris County. Have your dryer model number ready — found on a sticker inside the door frame — when you call so the technician can arrive with the most likely replacement part.