How to Repair a Dryer

Appliance repair technician Greg Bennett shares tips for diagnosing a broken dryer

Co-authored by Greg Bennett

Last Updated: August 3, 2026

If a clothes dryer won't run or isn't drying materials thoroughly, you can often repair it by following a series of common troubleshooting tips. After making sure the circuit didn't trip, follow these steps to learn how to repair your dryer.

How to Fix a Dryer

Appliance repair technician Greg Bennett suggests opening the dryer and spinning the barrel to help diagnose any potential issues. For example, if the barrel spins freely, that might mean the belt is broken. If the issue doesn’t seem to be mechanical, use a multimeter to find out which parts aren’t getting power.

Steps

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Let the dryer cool for about 10 minutes, then press the "reset" button. If this doesn't work, try some of the steps below.
Close the gas-supply valve if it is a gas-fueled dryer.

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3
Clean the dryer's exhaust vent.
- Disconnect the vent from its collar and remove lint from the screen inside. The vent is located behind the dryer.
- Use a vent-cleaning brush to remove lint from inside the vent itself.
- Use a garden hose or auger to remove clogs if the vent pipe or tubing is badly clogged. Disassemble the joint near the end of the hose or auger and remove the clog.
4
Check the door gasket.
- Hold a piece of tissue near the crack of the door while the dryer is running. If it flutters, the door is not properly sealing hot air inside it, and the gasket needs to be replaced with an identical model.
- Adjust and clean the door latch if the dryer is not running. If it still will not run, check the door switch.
5
Check the start switch. Remove the control panel and use a volt-ohm-millimmeter to test the switch.
- Set the VOM to the RX1 scale.
- Connect the probes of the VOM to the 2 switch leads after disconnecting them and press the switch closed.
- If the VOM reads 0, the switch is not the problem. If the VOM's needle jumps up, the switch needs to be replaced.
6
Check the thermostats. You can remove the back panel of the dryer to get to the control panel or operating thermostat.
- Clip the probes of a volt-ohm-millimmeter (set to RX1) to each terminal on a thermostat.
- If the VOM reads 0, the thermostat is not the problem. If the VOM's needle jumps up, the thermostat needs to be replaced.
7
Replace the motor belt. Bennett says the first thing he usually does when checking a broken dryer is to open the door and spin the barrel with his hand. If the issue is a broken belt, the barrel will spin freely.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Greg Bennett
Appliance Repair Technician

Expert Interview} Here's how to replace the belt:
- Take off the front panel and remove the drum from the cabinet.
- Suck out any lint with a vacuum.
- Make sure the tensioner spins. If it doesn't, replace it.
- Wrap a new belt around the motor pulley if the motor runs but the drum doesn't rotate.
8
Adjust the shutter on a gas dryer.
- Unscrew and remove the panel that covers the gas flame.
- Turn the dryer on and observe the flame. A deep blue flame and a whistling sound means it is receiving too much air. An all-yellow flame means it is not getting enough air.
- Adjust the shutter accordingly with the thumbscrew.

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Question

My dryer starts and heats, but it doesn't spin. What can I do next?

Community Answer

It sounds like either the band that spins the drum is broken or the drum itself is jammed. Best bet is to call a repair service, because it's potentially a fire hazard.

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My dryer is spinning but not getting hot. It's about 12-years-old. Is it time for a new one or should I have it serviced?

Community Answer

You probably need a new igniter. Call for service or, if you are a little handy, you could do it yourself.

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Tips

Clean the lint trap every time you use the dryer to prevent further troubles.

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Consult the owner's manual of your dryer to help with troubleshooting.

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Warnings

Always unplug an appliance or shut off the power to its circuit before using a VOM or doing most repair work.

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Don't place the dryer so close to the wall that it pinches off airflow to the vent.

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