Diagnose
Dryer not working? Common problems and what causes them
Diagnostic fee waived with repair
Long dry times are usually a vent restriction, not a broken dryer — and a blocked vent is a fire risk worth taking seriously.
Quick answer
Most dryers fail because of a single component, not age. The usual culprits are no heat, takes too long, won't start. Most repairs finish in one visit. Replacement is usually only worth it above roughly eight years old or when the repair exceeds half the replacement price.
What we do
Dryer repair, done properly
Long dry times are usually a vent restriction, not a broken dryer — and a blocked vent is a fire risk worth taking seriously.
Our technicians carry the parts that fail most often on dryers, so the majority of these repairs finish in a single visit.
You get a written estimate before any work starts, and a 12-month parts-and-labour warranty on the repair.
Symptoms
What's wrong with your dryer?
Pick the closest match — it pre-fills your booking so we arrive with the likely part.
Ready to book dryer repair?
See what the visit costs, what the 12-month warranty covers, and which areas we reach same-day.
Dryer Repair details & coverageDiagnosis
How we diagnose a dryer problem
Every visit starts with a diagnosis, not a guess. Here's what your technician actually checks, in order, before recommending a repair.
- 1
Heating element or igniter continuity
We test the electric element or gas igniter for continuity first — an open element is the most common reason a dryer runs but never produces heat.
- 2
Thermal fuse & cycling thermostat
A blown thermal fuse — often caused by restricted airflow — cuts power to the heater entirely. We check it alongside the cycling thermostat that regulates temperature.
- 3
Vent airflow & restriction
A blocked exhaust vent is both the top cause of long dry times and a genuine fire hazard, so we check static airflow at the vent hood, not just at the machine.
- 4
Belt, drum rollers & idler pulley
Squealing or a drum that won't turn usually traces to a worn belt, glazed rollers, or a seized idler pulley — visible once the front panel is off.
Repair or replace
When replacement is the better call
The working rule is the 50% test: if the repair costs more than half of a comparable new unit, and the appliance is past roughly two-thirds of its expected life, replacement usually wins on total cost of ownership.
Most dryers are built for 10–13 years. A failure at year three is almost always worth repairing. A sealed-system or compressor failure at year twelve usually is not — and we will say so rather than sell you the repair.
Premium built-in units are the exception. A Sub-Zero or Viking unit is worth repairing well past the point where a mass-market appliance would be retired, because replacement runs into five figures once cabinetry work is included.
Brands
Dryer brands we service
Questions
Dryer repair FAQ
Is it worth repairing a dryer?
Repairing a dryer is generally worth it when the repair costs less than half the price of a replacement and the unit is under about eight years old. SOS Appliance Repair diagnoses first and tells you plainly when replacement is the better value.
How long does a dryer repair take?
Most dryer repairs are completed in a single visit lasting 45 to 90 minutes. When a part must be ordered, SOS Appliance Repair schedules the return visit before leaving and the original diagnostic is not charged twice.
What causes a dryer to fail?
The most common dryer faults SOS Appliance Repair sees are: no heat, takes too long, won't start, loud squealing. Most trace back to a single failed component rather than end-of-life, which is why diagnosis before replacement matters.
Same-day appointments available
Broken appliance? We can be there today.
Talk to the company that actually sends the technician — no lead brokers, no bidding wars, no runaround.
- Licensed & insured
- 12-month warranty
- Diagnostic fee waived with repair