Service
Dryer Repair in Ottawa
We repair electric dryers that will not heat, will not turn, squeal loudly or take two cycles to dry a load. We don't service gas appliances.
Dryers are simple machines, which is good news when one stops working. A drum that spins but stays cold usually means a blown thermal fuse or a burnt element. A thumping or squealing drum points to worn rollers, a stretched belt or a tired idler pulley. If clothes come out damp after a full cycle, the cause is often a vent packed with lint rather than the dryer itself. That matters for more than drying time, because lint buildup in a hot vent is a fire risk.
We start by checking the vent run, because a blocked vent can blow a new fuse again a week after it is replaced. Then we test the heat circuit, the motor and the controls with a meter, not by guesswork. You get a clear price before any work, and fuses, elements, belts and rollers are the parts we aim to have on hand, so many fixes happen on the spot.
When the laundry basket is overflowing, Smart Appliance Service can usually find a slot to see your dryer soon, often the same day when you call early.
Serving Ottawa, Almonte, Arnprior and surrounding area.
Common dryer faults and what to check first
First, clean the lint screen and look behind the dryer. The flexible duct should be short, uncrushed and attached at both ends. Go outside while the dryer runs and check that the vent flap opens and air pushes out. For an electric dryer that runs but stays cold, switch its breaker fully off and back on, since a partly tripped breaker can leave the motor running with no heat.
Common faults include a thermal fuse that blew because of poor airflow, a broken drum belt that lets the motor run with no tumble, worn rollers that rumble, and a moisture sensor coated in fabric softener that ends the cycle early. A dryer that will not start with the door shut often has a failed door switch.
Repair or replace your dryer
Dryers last a long time and most of their parts are inexpensive, so repairing is usually the smart choice. If the cabinet and drum are sound and the repair is under half the price of a new dryer, fix it. Elements, fuses, belts and rollers all fall well inside that line.
Replacement starts to make sense when the drum is rusted through, when the motor and control board have both failed, or when the dryer has had several costly repairs in a short span. We will give you an honest read either way and leave the choice with you. A repair-first approach is how we work, not a sales line.
How long a dryer repair takes
A typical dryer repair takes 45 minutes to an hour and a half, including the vent check. Belt and roller jobs take longer than a fuse, because the drum has to come out. Stacked laundry centres and stacked pairs can add some time, since we may need to separate the units to reach the parts.
We aim to carry the dryer parts that fail most, so a second trip is not usually needed. When a model needs a special part, we order it, tell you when to expect it, and book the return at a time that suits you, including evenings and Sundays.
Ventless dryers: condenser and heat pump
We repair ventless dryers too, both condenser and heat pump models. They have no outside duct, so their filters, condenser and water tank or pump matter more. See our ventless dryer repair page for what to check first.
Where we work
Dryer Repair across Ottawa and the surrounding area.
Brands we repair
Dryer Repair: common questions
On an electric dryer, a blown thermal fuse or a burnt heating element is the usual cause. The fuse often blows because the vent is restricted, so the airflow has to be fixed as well as the part. Check that the breaker has not half-tripped, since an electric dryer can turn without heat on one leg of power.
A full lint screen or a blocked vent is the most common reason, followed by a long or crushed duct behind the dryer. Clean the screen every load, check that the flap on the outside wall opens when the dryer runs, and look for a kinked foil hose. If the airflow is good and drying is still slow, a heating part or the moisture sensor may be failing.
Check the breaker, the plug and the door, since a dryer will not start with the door switch open. Many dryers also have a child lock or a start button you must hold for a second or two. If the light comes on but the drum will not turn, a broken belt, the thermal fuse or the motor are the likely causes.
Squealing or thumping usually comes from worn drum rollers, a worn idler pulley or a belt that has started to fray. A scraping sound can be a worn drum glide or felt seal, and a rattle is often a coin or a button caught in the drum. Worn parts get louder and can damage the drum, so book a repair rather than running it for weeks.
A dryer that shuts off early is often overheating because of a blocked vent, and a safety part cuts the power to protect it. A dirty moisture sensor can also end a cycle early by misreading the load as dry; wiping the two metal strips inside the drum with a little rubbing alcohol often helps. If it keeps stopping, the motor or a thermostat needs testing.
Yes. We repair ventless condenser and heat pump dryers as well as vented electric dryers. See our ventless dryer repair page for what to check first.
Very hot outside panels or clothes that come out scorching mean the air is not leaving the dryer. Lint is flammable, and a blocked vent is a real fire risk, so stop using the dryer, clean the lint screen and check the full vent run to the outside. If the vent is clear and it still runs hot, a cycling thermostat may have failed, and the dryer should stay off until it is repaired.
Read: Dryer Not Heating
Seeing an error code? LG dryer error codes
Seeing an error code? Samsung dryer error codes
Seeing an error code? Whirlpool & Maytag dryer error codes
All appliance error code guides
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