How often should I clean my dryer vent?

At least once a year. More often if you have a long vent run (over 15 feet), bends in the duct, or do many loads per week. Clean the lint trap after every load — but that alone doesn't clean the vent duct itself.

Can I just reset a blown thermal fuse?

No — thermal fuses are one-time devices. Once blown, they must be replaced. Don't be tempted to bridge the terminals or bypass the fuse — it's a fire safety device that sacrifices itself to stop the dryer from overheating.

AppliancesFix This WeekIntermediate DIY

How to Fix a Dryer That's Not Heating

A dryer that tumbles but doesn't heat is usually caused by a blown thermal fuse — a safety device that costs under $15 and takes 20 minutes to replace. The second most common cause is a clogged exhaust vent. Fix these before buying a new dryer.

$25–$100 DIY; $150–$350 with appliance tech

Estimated cost

1–2 hours

Time needed

intermediate

Difficulty

Likely Causes

1Blown thermal fuse (caused by restricted airflow from clogged vent)
2Clogged dryer exhaust vent reducing airflow
3Failed heating element (electric dryers)
4Failed gas valve coil (gas dryers — igniter glows but gas doesn't flow)
5Tripped high-limit thermostat

Severity: Fix This Week

A dryer with a clogged vent is also a fire hazard. Address vent cleaning as part of this repair even if it wasn't the direct cause.

How to Fix It: Step by Step

1
Clean the exhaust vent first
Disconnect the dryer from the wall. Disconnect the exhaust duct at the back. Use a dryer vent brush kit to clean the full length of the duct from the dryer to the outside. A blocked vent causes 85% of thermal fuse failures.
2
Test the thermal fuse with a multimeter
Unplug the dryer. Remove the back panel to access the thermal fuse (a small white or silver component on the exhaust duct). Test for continuity. No continuity = blown fuse. Replace it.
3
Replace the thermal fuse
Disconnect the wires (photograph them first). Remove the two screws. Install the new thermal fuse. Reconnect wires. The fuse is model-specific — search your dryer's model number for the correct part.
4
Check the heating element (electric dryers)
The heating element is in the back of the drum housing. Remove it and test for continuity. Visible breaks in the coil also indicate failure. Replace if failed.
5
Check gas valve coils (gas dryers)
If the igniter glows but the burner doesn't light, the gas valve coils have failed. The coil kit (usually 2–3 solenoids) costs $20–$40 and attaches directly to the gas valve.

Materials & Tools Needed

Thermal fuse (model-specific)

$5–$15

Dryer vent brush kit

$20–$40

Heating element (electric, model-specific)

$25–$60

Gas valve coil kit (gas dryers)

$20–$40

Multimeter

$20–$40

Warning Signs It's Getting Worse

⚠Burning smell while dryer runs (lint fire risk)
⚠Clothes taking 2–3 cycles to dry (vent restriction)
⚠Dryer exterior is very hot to the touch
⚠Thermal fuse replaced but blew again within weeks

When to Call a Professional

Call an appliance technician if you've replaced the thermal fuse and it blows again quickly (indicates ongoing vent restriction or a deeper electrical problem), or for any gas line work.

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