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You toss in a load of laundry, start the dryer, and come back 45 minutes later to find your clothes are still damp and cold. The drum is spinning. The timer ran. But there's no heat.
It's one of the most common appliance complaints in Calgary and frustrating enough that most people immediately start Googling whether they need a new dryer. The good news: a dryer that runs but doesn't heat is usually a fixable problem, not a death sentence for your appliance.
Here are the six most common reasons a dryer stops heating, what each one means, and whether it's something you can address yourself or a job for a licensed technician.
What it is: The thermal fuse is a small safety device designed to cut power to the heating element if your dryer overheats. Once it blows, it doesn't reset — it has to be replaced.
Why it happens: A blown thermal fuse is almost always caused by restricted airflow, usually from a clogged lint filter or a blocked exhaust vent. The dryer overheats, the fuse trips, and the heat shuts off permanently until the fuse is swapped out.
How to tell: Your dryer runs a full cycle but produces zero heat. In many cases, this is the first thing a technician will check.
DIY or pro? Replacing a thermal fuse is a relatively straightforward repair on most dryer models, the part itself typically costs $5–$20. However, if you replace it without clearing the clogged vent that caused it to blow in the first place, the new fuse will blow again shortly after. Always clear the venting before or during the repair.
What it is: Electric dryers use a coiled metal heating element to generate heat. Over time — usually after years of use — the coil can burn out or break, cutting off heat entirely.
Why it happens: Normal wear and tear. Heating elements have a lifespan, and running large or heavy loads repeatedly can shorten it. A broken element is one of the most common causes of no-heat dryer calls across Calgary.
How to tell: The dryer runs normally and the drum spins, but there's no heat whatsoever. Unlike a thermal fuse, a failed heating element isn't typically caused by another underlying issue — it usually just wears out.
DIY or pro? Heating element replacement is a mid-level repair. The part costs $30–$100 depending on the brand and model, but accessing it requires partially disassembling the dryer. For most Calgary homeowners without appliance repair experience, this is a job worth leaving to a technician. Heating element replacement typically costs $185–$400 all in, depending on your dryer brand and model.
What it is: Most dryers have two or three thermostats that regulate temperature throughout a cycle, a cycling thermostat that maintains the target heat level, and a high-limit thermostat as a backup safety cutoff.
Why it happens: Thermostats can fail gradually (causing inconsistent or weak heat) or suddenly (causing no heat at all). A failing cycling thermostat is a common culprit when your dryer heats sometimes but not consistently, or when clothes take two or three cycles to dry.
How to tell: Clothes are coming out damp but warm, or the heat is noticeably weaker than usual. A thermostat issue can also cause the dryer to overheat or run hotter than it should.
DIY or pro? Testing a thermostat requires a multimeter and some comfort with appliance components. Replacement parts are inexpensive ($10–$30), but diagnosing which thermostat has failed and ruling out other causes is where technicians earn their keep. This is generally a pro job.
What it is: Gas dryers use an igniter to light a gas burner that generates heat. If the igniter fails, or if there's an issue with the gas valve coils or flame sensor, the burner won't light and you'll get a spinning drum with no heat.
Why it happens: Igniters are fragile ceramic components that burn out over time. Gas valve coils (also called solenoids) can also fail, preventing the gas valve from opening even when the igniter glows.
How to tell: You might notice the drum cycling on and off while trying to heat, or the igniter glowing briefly but the burner never fully catching. Gas dryer repairs require working around a live gas line.
DIY or pro? Gas dryer repairs should always be handled by a licensed technician. Working around gas lines without proper training creates real safety risks — this isn't a job for a YouTube tutorial on a Saturday afternoon. If your gas dryer has stopped heating, call a professional.
What it is: Electric dryers run on a 240-volt circuit made up of two 120-volt legs. If one leg trips at the breaker panel, the dryer gets enough power to run the motor (making the drum spin) but not enough to power the heating element — giving you exactly the symptom of a dryer that runs but doesn't heat.
Why it happens: A tripped breaker can be caused by a power surge, an overloaded circuit, or an issue with the dryer itself drawing too much current.
How to tell: Head to your electrical panel and look for any breakers in a middle or tripped position. Your dryer will typically have a double-pole breaker (two breakers connected together). If one side has tripped, reset it by switching it fully off, then back on.
DIY or pro? Checking and resetting the breaker is something you can do yourself — and it costs nothing. If the breaker trips again shortly after resetting, stop using the dryer and call an electrician or appliance technician. A repeatedly tripping breaker signals an underlying electrical issue that needs diagnosis.
What it is: Your dryer needs proper airflow to work efficiently and safely. Hot, moist air has to exit through the exhaust duct. If that duct is clogged with lint, kinked, or blocked at the exterior wall, the dryer can't evacuate heat — it overheats, safety mechanisms kick in, and heat shuts off.
Why it happens: Lint accumulates in dryer vents over time, especially in longer duct runs or ducts with multiple bends. Calgary's cold winters can also cause condensation and frost buildup at exterior vent caps, partially or fully blocking airflow.
How to tell: Clothes take much longer than usual to dry. The dryer feels very hot to the touch on the outside. There may be a burning smell. The laundry room itself feels more humid than normal after a cycle.
DIY or pro? Cleaning a short, accessible vent run is something a handy homeowner can tackle with a dryer vent cleaning kit from a hardware store. Longer or more complex duct runs or vents that exit through the roof — should be cleaned by a professional. According to the National Fire Protection Association, clogged dryer vents are a leading cause of home fires, making this one maintenance task worth taking seriously.
Here's a quick rule of thumb:
Handle it yourself if:
Call a licensed technician if:
Most dryer heating repairs can be completed in a single visit when handled by an experienced technician. Catching the problem early also matters — a blown thermal fuse left unaddressed often leads to a failed heating element shortly after, turning a $200 repair into a $400 one.
If your dryer has stopped heating and you'd rather skip the troubleshooting and get it fixed fast, Happy Protection members get priority access to licensed appliance repair technicians across Calgary with 20% off labour and transparent pricing before any work begins.
Not a member yet? View pricing and see how one simple membership covers your dryer, your garage door, your locks, and your vehicle — all under one plan.
How much does dryer repair cost in Calgary?
Most dryer heating repairs in Calgary fall between $150–$400, depending on the part that's failed and your dryer's brand and model. A blown thermal fuse is on the lower end; a heating element replacement or thermostat repair sits in the middle. A technician should always provide a transparent quote before starting work.
Is it worth repairing a dryer that won't heat?
In most cases, yes — especially if your dryer is under 10 years old and the repair cost is less than half the price of a new unit. A no-heat dryer is rarely a sign that the appliance is at end-of-life. It's usually a single failed component that's straightforward to replace.
How long does a dryer repair take?
Most dryer heating repairs are completed in a single visit of one to two hours, assuming the technician arrives stocked with common replacement parts. Complex issues or less common models may require a parts order and a follow-up visit.
Can a clogged vent really cause my dryer to stop heating?
Yes and it's more common than most people expect. A severely blocked exhaust vent causes the dryer to overheat, which triggers the thermal fuse or high-limit thermostat to cut off heat as a safety measure. Clearing the vent is often the first step in any dryer heating diagnosis.
How often should I clean my dryer vent in Calgary?Once a year is the standard recommendation for most households. If you do large loads frequently, have pets, or have a longer duct run, every six months is safer. Calgary winters can also contribute to frost buildup at exterior vent caps — worth checking each spring.
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