Dryer won't start?

Listen when you press start. Total silence usually points to power, the door switch, the start switch or a thermal fuse; a hum or a motor that runs without the drum turning points to the belt or motor. Start with the breaker and the door.

Not sure which one it is? Snap your dryer and we’ll narrow it down.

Does the drum turn, but the clothes come out damp?

That's a heating problem rather than a starting one. Dryer not heating

Likely causes

  1. Door not latching, or a failed door switch

    Most commonModerate DIY

    Total silence with no click, and the dryer starts if you slam or hold the door. The switch tells the dryer the door is shut.

    Part: $8–30

  2. Tripped breaker, or a tripped half of the 240-volt breaker (electric)

    Most commonEasy DIY

    Total silence, no lights. A double breaker can trip on one half, giving a drum that won't start or one that runs without heat.

  3. Blown thermal fuse

    CommonModerate DIY

    Total silence, though the control panel may light. On many electric models this fuse cuts power to the whole dryer. It usually blows because the vent is blocked, so clear the vent before replacing it, and never bypass it.

    Part: $5–18

  4. Failed start switch

    CommonModerate DIY

    Total silence even with the door shut and power on, and the button feels loose or doesn't click.

    Part: $5–40

  5. Child lock or control lock on

    CommonEasy DIY

    The panel lights but the buttons don't respond, or a lock icon shows. Check the manual for how to turn it off (often a long press).

  6. Broken drive belt

    CommonModerate DIY

    The motor hums or runs but the drum doesn't turn, and the drum spins freely by hand with no resistance.

    Part: $14–32

  7. Worn drum rollers or a failed motor

    Less commonCall a pro

    A hum with no movement, a loud squeal or rumble before it stops, or a motor that overheats and shuts off.

    Part: $20–55 (rollers), $60–150 (motor)

  8. Failed control board

    Less commonCall a pro

    The panel is dead or erratic and the switches, fuse and breaker all check out.

    Part: $90–280

Quick checks

Unplug the dryer, or switch off its breaker (electric dryers are 240-volt), before opening any panel. A blown thermal fuse is usually a symptom of a blocked vent, which is a fire risk, so clear the vent before you replace the fuse, and never bypass it. Clean the lint screen every load and the vent duct at least once a year, and use a rigid or semi-rigid metal duct, not plastic or vinyl foil. If you smell gas, leave the house, then call the gas company or 911 from outside, and don't touch switches. Gas valve and igniter work is for a pro.

  1. Check the double breaker for your dryer, and switch it fully off and back on.
  2. Open and firmly close the door. Press the start button and listen: a click, a hum, or total silence tells you which branch to follow.
  3. Turn off any child lock or control lock, and try a different cycle.
  4. Does it hum? With the dryer unplugged, turn the drum by hand. If it spins freely with no resistance, suspect the belt; if it's stiff or jammed, suspect the rollers or motor.
  5. Total silence? Suspect power, the door switch, the start switch or the thermal fuse, and check the vent for blockage before you replace a fuse.
Sharpen the read

Diagnose your dryer in seconds, for free

No account, no phone number. Fixology’s AI reads your photo and tells you what’s likely wrong, how worried to be, and whether it’s a DIY fix.

Snap one of these:

  • the control panel, including any lock icon or error light
  • the door and the latch it clicks into
  • the model label inside the door or on the back

Add a note or more photos next. Nobody calls you.

When to call a pro

The breaker is fine and the cause isn't an obvious door or lock issue, the fuse keeps blowing, you smell burning or gas, or you'd need to test a 240-volt part. Replace rather than repair when the repair would cost more than half the price of a new dryer. For lifespan and upkeep, see the dryer guide. If the dryer runs but the clothes stay damp, see dryer not heating; if it's the washer that won't turn, see washer won't spin.

Typical cost: $100–430 for most repairs including the service call (a dryer repair averages about $180). Service calls run $50–80 and labor $50–100 an hour.

Sources: Angi: how much does dryer repair cost? (updated September 18, 2026), NFPA: dryer fire safety fact sheet (via City of Semmes, AL)

After a scan, Fixology can also help you find pros near you.

Related problems

  • Dryer not heating?

    Dryer

    The drum spins but the clothes stay damp, which is usually a blocked vent, a tripped breaker, or a failed heating part.

  • Furnace won't heat?

    FurnaceFall

    The furnace runs but the house stays cold, which is usually a clogged filter, a thermostat setting, or an ignition fault.

  • Heat pump not heating?

    Heat pumpFall

    The heat pump runs but the house stays cold, which is usually thermostat settings, a clogged filter, or an iced-over outdoor unit.

  • Washer won't drain?

    Washer

    Water is left in the drum after the cycle, which is usually a clogged pump filter or a kinked drain hose.

Fixology helps you understand your home — it isn't a substitute for a licensed pro on serious gas, electrical, or structural work.