How Much Does Dryer Repair Cost?
Most dryer repairs cost $100 to $200, with a national average of about $150, according to Fixr. Thumbtack reports an average of about $170 and HomeAdvisor a $100 to $400 range. Heating element replacement runs $150 to $350 and motor replacement $250 to $450, per Fixr.
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Last updated October 2026Key cost facts
Dryers are simple machines, so most repairs are affordable. The main question is whether the problem is heat, motion or airflow, and whether the dryer runs on gas or electricity.
- Typical repair
- $100 – $200 (Fixr)
- Average
- About $150 (Fixr) · $170 (Thumbtack)
- Heating element (electric)
- $150 – $350 replaced (Fixr)
- Expected life
- About 14 years (NAHB)
- Fire risk
- About 2,900 home dryer fires a year; failure to clean is the leading cause at 34% (USFA)
What do national cost guides report?
Each source surveys different jobs, so ranges differ. Where two or more agree, that is the most reliable estimate.
| Source | What they report |
|---|---|
| Fixr | $100 – $200 (about $150 average) |
| HomeAdvisor | $100 – $400 |
| Thumbtack | about $170 average |
| This Old House | $100 – $650 (washers and dryers combined) |
Cost by repair
| Repair | Cost range |
|---|---|
| Heating element replacement (electric) | $150 – $350 |
| Igniter replacement (gas) | $100 – $250 |
| Belt replacement | $150 – $250 |
| Drum roller replacement | $100 – $150 |
| Motor replacement | $250 – $450 |
| Vent replacement | $75 – $150 |
Source: Fixr.
What affects the price?
No heat
Electric dryers usually need a thermal fuse, thermostat or heating element. Fixr puts heating element replacement at $150 to $350. Gas dryers usually need an igniter, which Fixr puts at $100 to $250 to replace.
No tumbling or noise
Belts, idler pulleys and drum rollers wear out. Fixr puts belt replacement at $150 to $250 and drum roller replacement at $100 to $150.
Motor failure
Fixr puts motor replacement at $250 to $450, one of the costlier dryer repairs.
Venting
A crushed or clogged vent makes the dryer overheat and blow fuses. Fixr puts vent replacement at $75 to $150.
Gas vs. electric
Gas dryers need checks of the gas supply and burner assembly, which can add time.
Age
NAHB data puts the average dryer life at about 14 years, so most repairs on younger dryers are worth doing.
Want a real quote?
Call 1-833-563-1092. The local provider prices the job after diagnosis.
A worked example
An 8-year-old electric dryer runs but stays cold. The technician finds a blown thermal fuse caused by a lint-packed vent. Replacing the fuse and clearing the vent fixes both the symptom and the cause. Skipping the vent cleaning would likely blow the new fuse.
Average appliance life (NAHB)
| Appliance | Average life (NAHB) |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator (standard) | 17 years |
| Freezer (standard) | 16 years |
| Washer | 13 years |
| Dryer | 14 years |
| Dishwasher | 10 years |
| Electric range | 17 years |
| Gas range | 19 years |
| Microwave | 11 years |
How can I save on repairs?
- Clean the lint screen before every load.
- Have the vent line cleaned regularly; the USFA lists failure to clean as the top cause of dryer fires.
- Use rigid or semi-rigid metal vent duct instead of thin foil.
- Do not overload the drum, which strains belts and rollers.
- Ask the technician to check the vent when fixing a no-heat problem.
Does insurance or a warranty pay?
Homeowners insurance generally does not pay for a dryer that wears out, though it may cover fire damage. Keeping the vent clean is the cheapest protection.
When is it an emergency?
- You smell burning or see scorch marks.
- You smell gas near a gas dryer. Leave and call 911 and your gas utility.
- The dryer cabinet is very hot to the touch.
Which repair is my symptom likely to need?
| Symptom | Likely part or fix |
|---|---|
| No heat (electric) | Thermal fuse, thermostat or heating element |
| No heat (gas) | Igniter or gas valve coils |
| Squealing or thumping | Idler pulley, rollers or belt |
| Drum will not turn | Belt or motor |
| Takes two cycles | Clogged vent or weak element |
| Will not start | Door switch, start switch or thermal fuse |
How is the bill made up?
Most bills have three parts: a service call or diagnostic fee, labor, and the part itself. HomeAdvisor reports labor of $50 to $150 an hour, with master technicians up to $200, and a $50 to $100 trip fee. Parts range from a few dollars for a fuse to hundreds for a compressor or control board.
Questions to ask before you approve
- Which part failed, and how did you test it?
- What is the price of the part and the labor, separately?
- Is the diagnostic fee applied to the repair?
- Do you have the part, or does it need to be ordered?
- What warranty do you give on parts and labor?
- Would you repair this appliance at its age, or replace it?
Cost questions
How much does it cost to fix a dryer that is not heating?
Most no-heat repairs are a thermal fuse, thermostat, heating element or gas igniter. Fixr puts heating element replacement at $150 to $350 and igniter replacement at $100 to $250.
How much does a dryer belt replacement cost?
Fixr puts dryer belt replacement at $150 to $250, including labor.
Is it worth repairing a 10-year-old dryer?
Often yes. NAHB data puts the average dryer life at about 14 years, and most dryer repairs cost far less than a new dryer.
How common are dryer fires?
The U.S. Fire Administration estimates about 2,900 clothes dryer fires in homes each year, with failure to clean as the leading cause at 34 percent.
Are gas dryers more expensive to repair?
Not always, but gas dryer repairs involve the gas valve, igniter and burner, which need extra safety checks.
Sources
- Fixr, Dryer Repair Cost (updated Jan 2025)
- HomeAdvisor, How Much Does Appliance Repair Cost? (2025)
- Thumbtack, Appliance Repair Cost (updated March 2026)
- This Old House, Appliance Repair Cost (updated June 2026)
- NAHB life expectancy of appliances (via USDA Forest Service)
- U.S. Fire Administration report on clothes dryer fires (2008–2010 data)
Get a price from a local pro
Call 1-833-563-1092 with your ZIP code.
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