Dryer Not Turning On — West Hollywood Repair
A completely dead dryer is usually a power issue, not a repair issue — or it's a very specific component failure. Before we come out, we ask a couple of quick questions to rule out the free fixes.
What this symptom usually means
A completely dead dryer is usually a power issue, not a repair issue — or it's a very specific component failure. Before we come out, we ask a couple of quick questions to rule out the free fixes. Below is a breakdown of the most common causes we find on this exact problem, roughly in order of frequency.
Common causes, in order of likelihood
Half-tripped 240V breaker
Electric dryers use a double-pole breaker. One side can trip while the other stays on — giving the dryer enough power to light up, sometimes, but not enough to run.
Failed door switch
If the door switch doesn't tell the control board the door is closed, nothing starts.
Blown thermal fuse
Some dryers disable the entire machine on a blown thermal fuse, not just the heat.
Bad start switch
The start button itself wears out on older dryers — a straightforward replacement.
Failed main control board
Rare on a basic dryer, more common on high-end models with electronic controls.
When it's time to call
If you've reset both sides of the breaker and verified the outlet, call. We can usually diagnose dead dryers in under 30 minutes.
Call WeHo — (323) 285-0520
Frequently asked questions
How do we check the breaker?
Flip the dryer's double-pole breaker fully off, then fully on. Both sides need to cycle together.
Is this usually expensive to fix?
Usually not — door switches, thermal fuses, and start switches are all inexpensive parts.
Can it be the outlet?
Yes — a burned outlet can cause intermittent or total power loss. We check before replacing dryer parts.