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Published on May 21, 2025
Your dryer is running but not heating? Most of the time, it’s a clogged vent. This is the most common issue we find in Roseville homes because blocked airflow stops the dryer from producing heat properly.
Other common causes include a blown thermal fuse, a faulty heating element in electric dryers, or a power supply issue. Gas models might have a failed igniter or gas valve. The good news is, you can often fix this yourself with a few simple checks.
We get it. Nobody plans for a broken appliance. You pull clothes out of the dryer and they're still soaking wet. Now you're running late, the kids need clean clothes for school, and the laundry is piling up fast.
If your dryer stopped working on a busy weekend, you're not alone. This is one of the most common calls we get from Roseville families. Take a deep breath—you’ve got options. Often, the cause is simpler than you think, especially if basic dryer safety tips like keeping the lint screen clean and maintaining proper airflow haven’t been followed.
Not sure if heating is the real issue? Here are the signs to look for:
• Dryer spins normally but clothes stay wet after a full cycle.
• Cold or room-temperature air blowing inside the drum.
• You need 2 to 3 cycles to dry one load.
• Dryer shuts off mid-cycle before clothes are dry.
• The dryer feels hot on the outside but isn't drying clothes inside.
If any of these sound familiar, keep reading. You're in the right place.
Before we get into fixes, here's a quick look at how your dryer actually heats up. It helps to know what's working and what might not be.
• Heating element: A metal coil that glows red-hot and warms the air
• Thermostat control: Keeps the temperature from getting too high
• Airflow system: Pulls warm air through the drum and out the vent
• Igniter: Creates a spark to light the gas
• Gas valve: Controls how much gas flows to the burner
• Flame sensor: Shuts things down if the flame goes out
• Burner assembly: Where the actual heat is made
If any one of these parts fails, your dryer can run without heating. Let's look at what might have gone wrong.
This one sounds too simple, but it matters. A full lint screen blocks airflow. A quick check: Pull out the lint screen and hold it up to the light. If you can't see through it, clean it now.
Sacramento Valley dust, pet hair, and lint build up in dryer vents faster than most people expect. In Roseville homes, this is the number one thing our technicians find. A blocked vent traps hot air inside, which triggers the thermal fuse to shut off the heat as a safety measure.
Worth knowing: If your vent runs more than 10 feet or has multiple bends, it needs cleaning every 6 months.
The flexible hose behind your dryer is easy to crush when you push the machine back against the wall. Even a small kink cuts off airflow.
Pull your dryer out a few inches and check the hose. It should be straight with no sharp bends.
Electric dryers need two separate 120V circuits to make 240V total. If one leg of that circuit trips, your dryer can run and spin but get zero heat.
Check your breaker box. If the dryer's breaker is in the middle position, flip it fully off, then back on.
Most dryers won't heat if the door sensor thinks the door is open. Push the door firmly shut. Listen for a click.
If the switch is broken, the dryer may run but won't produce any heat.
Some modern dryers have an eco mode or air-only setting that uses no heat at all. It's easy to select by accident.
Check your settings before anything else. This fix takes five seconds.
Too many clothes at once restricts airflow inside the drum. The dryer runs, but heat can't circulate properly.
Try splitting one large load into two smaller ones and see if drying improves.
Sometimes the dryer isn't the problem at all. If your washing machine doesn't spin out properly, clothes come out soaking wet.
Feel your clothes before they go in the dryer. They should feel damp, not dripping.
The heating element is a metal coil that burns out over time, especially after years of heavy use.
Signs of a bad element: dryer runs but blows only cold air, or one part of the element looks visibly burned or broken.
Replacing it requires taking apart the dryer. This is a job for a technician.
The thermal fuse is a one-time safety switch. If the dryer overheats (often from a blocked vent), the fuse blows and cuts off heat permanently.
A blown fuse is a common fix, but here's the thing: if you replace the fuse without fixing the vent, the new fuse will blow too.
The thermostat tells the heating element when to turn on and off. A bad thermostat can leave the heater stuck in the off position.
This part fails quietly. The dryer looks normal but just never heats up.
The igniter glows hot to light the gas. If it cracks or burns out, the gas never lights and you get no heat.
You might hear the dryer click as it tries to ignite, then nothing happens.
The gas valve coils open to let gas flow through to the burner. When they fail, the valve stays shut. No gas means no heat.
This is a common repair on older gas dryers. A technician can test the coils quickly.
The flame sensor (also called a radiant sensor) detects whether the burner is lit. A bad sensor tells the dryer there's no flame when there actually is, and shuts off gas flow.
This causes a pattern where the dryer heats briefly, then goes cold.
The control board runs everything. If it fails, it can stop sending signals to the heating circuit entirely.
This is less common and more expensive to fix. A technician will check all other parts first before pointing here.
Before you call anyone, run through this quick checklist. You might solve it in 10 minutes.
• Clean the lint screen completely.
• Go outside and feel the vent opening while the dryer runs. Weak airflow means a blockage.
• Check your circuit breaker. Reset if needed.
• Look at your dryer settings. Make sure it's not on air-dry or eco mode.
• Reduce your load size and try again.
• Check the vent hose behind the dryer for kinks or crushing.
If none of these fix it, the problem is likely inside the dryer. Keep reading.
This is the first internal part to check on electric dryers. It can be tested with a multimeter for continuity. No continuity means it's burned out.
Find the thermal fuse near the exhaust duct inside the dryer panel. Test it with a multimeter. A blown fuse reads no continuity at all.
Remember: Always fix the vent blockage first, or the new fuse will blow again.
Dryers have multiple thermostats, including a cycling thermostat and a high-limit thermostat. Any one of them can fail and cut off heat. A technician can test each one.
This is the last thing to check. Control boards are expensive. A technician will rule out everything else before replacing it.
Make sure the gas shutoff valve behind the dryer is fully open. It's a lever or handle on the gas line.
Also check that your other gas appliances are working. If your stove also has no flame, it's a supply issue, not a dryer issue.
Watch through the door (or a service panel) as the dryer starts. The igniter should glow orange-red within 30 seconds. If it doesn't glow at all, it's likely to fail.
There are usually two or three coils on the gas valve. A technician can test each one for proper resistance with a multimeter.
If your dryer heats for the first 20 to 30 seconds then stops, the flame sensor is the most likely cause. It's a quick and affordable repair.
Roseville and the broader Sacramento Valley have some specific conditions that affect dryers more than other parts of the country.
1. Summer heat over 100°F in Roseville increases stress on dryers and reduces overall efficiency.
2. Fine Sacramento Valley dust builds up quickly in vent systems and causes faster clogging.
3. Large households in Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, and Natomas run dryers more frequently.
4. PG&E power fluctuations can trip a 240V breaker leg and stop heating suddenly.
5. Blocked dryer vents are the most common issue found by technicians in Roseville homes.
6. Dryer vents not cleaned in the last 12 months should be checked first.
If the dryer vent hasn’t been cleaned in the past 12 months, it should be checked first. If you want to know more about what we handle locally, check out our Appliance repair in Roseville page.
Here's a simple breakdown of what you can do yourself and what needs a technician.
Try the basic checks first. But call a technician if any of these apply:
• Dryer still won't heat after cleaning the vent and checking the breaker
• You smell burning plastic or rubber during the cycle
• You smell gas near a gas dryer (step outside first, then call your utility company)
• The circuit breaker trips again after resetting it
•You suspect an electrical problem inside the dryer
If you're in Roseville, Elk Grove, Sacramento, or Rocklin, we can usually get someone out the same day. Learn more about our Dryer repair service in Sacramento and what to expect when you book.
We know cost is a big concern. Here are real numbers, not vague estimates.
• Heating element replacement: $150 to $250 with parts and labor
• Thermal fuse replacement: $100 to $180
• Thermostat replacement: $120 to $200
• Gas igniter or valve coils: $130 to $220
• Vent cleaning (professional): $80 to $150
Diagnostic visits are included in our repair cost if you move forward with the fix. We give you the exact number before any work starts. No surprises.
A little upkeep goes a long way. Here's how to keep your dryer heating reliably for years.
• Clean the lint screen before or after every single load.
• Clean the dryer vent hose and exterior vent cap every 6 months.
• Don't overload the dryer. One large load split into two dries faster.
• Inspect the flexible vent hose behind the dryer once a year for kinks or damage.
• Schedule a professional vent cleaning once a year if you run the dryer daily. Sacramento Valley dust makes this especially important.
If you've never used an appliance repair service before, here's what to expect.
• Book an appointment online or by phone. We offer same-day service in most cases.
• A certified technician arrives and runs a full diagnosis.
• We give you an upfront, written estimate before touching anything.
• Most repairs are done in one visit if parts are available.
• We test the dryer fully before leaving to make sure it heats properly.
No hidden fees. No pressure. You decide what to fix.
Sayed Sajadi has been fixing appliances in Sacramento for over 10 years. He holds California License #48671 and EPA certification, and his team has handled more than 4,000 repairs across the area. Every job comes with a written estimate before any work starts and a warranty after.
We're a family-owned local business, not a call center. When you call us, you talk to someone who actually works on dryers in Roseville, not someone reading from a script.
• Serving Sacramento, Roseville, Elk Grove, Rocklin, and Citrus Heights
• Licensed, insured, and certified technicians
• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
• Warranty on all parts and labor
• Same-day appointments available
We work on all major brands, including:
‣ Whirlpool
‣ Samsung
‣ LG
‣ GE
‣ Maytag
‣ Kenmore
Don't see your brand? Contact Us. We will most likely work on it.
Before you book a repair, run through this checklist one more time:
• Lint screen cleaned
• Dryer vent airflow checked at the outside cap
• Circuit breaker checked and reset if needed
• Dryer settings confirmed (not eco or air-dry mode)
• Load size reduced to test heating
• Vent hose behind the dryer checked for kinks
If you've done all of this and the dryer still won't heat, it's time to call a technician.
Fair Appliance Repair Service often finds that a dryer not heating is usually caused by simple problems. In Roseville and across the Sacramento area, a clogged vent is one of the most common reasons because it blocks airflow and prevents heat from circulating properly inside the dryer.
These steps often solve the issue quickly and restore normal drying without major repair.If the problem is inside the machine, like a thermal fuse, heating element, or gas valve failure, a certified technician can quickly diagnose and fix it. Most repairs are done the same day without major cost or delay.
If you'd rather skip the troubleshooting and have someone take a look, we're here to help. Give us a call at (916) 333-8388 or book online.
We offer same-day visits across Sacramento, Roseville, Elk Grove, and Rocklin. No pressure, no hidden fees. Just honest repair from a local team that knows your neighborhood.
Fair Appliance Repair Service
Address : Sacramento, CA
Phone : +1 916-333-8388
Read reviews from Roseville homeowners
‣ The most common cause is a blocked dryer vent restricting airflow and stopping hot air from moving through the drum properly during the drying cycle.
‣ Check the outside vent while the dryer is running. Weak or no airflow means blockage. Clothes taking longer to dry is another clear sign.
‣ Yes, it can. A clogged lint trap restricts airflow, causes overheating, and may trigger the thermal fuse, shutting off the heating function completely.
‣ Every 6 to 12 months is recommended for most homes. In dusty areas like Sacramento Valley, cleaning every 6 months helps maintain safety and efficiency.
‣ Yes, if the dryer is under 10 to 12 years old and repair costs are below $300, fixing it is usually more cost-effective than replacement.
‣ Usually caused by a blown thermal fuse, electrical power issue, or failed heating component like the heating element or igniter in gas dryers.
