Parts reference
Dryer parts
A dryer that tumbles but will not heat is almost always a $10 to $60 part, and almost always because the vent is blocked. Fix the airflow at the same time or you will be buying the same fuse again in six months.
- Parts priced
- 10
- Price band
- $8–$85
- Suppliers stocking
- 5
- Repair guides
- 10
Find your dryer model number first
No supplier can sell you the right part without it, and the name printed on the front of the appliance is not it.
Inside the door opening
Open the door and look at the frame all the way round the opening, usually along the bottom edge.
In the lint filter slot
Pull the lint screen out and shine a light down the slot. Many Whirlpool and Maytag dryers put the tag on the wall of the housing.
On the back panel
Upper left or upper right of the rear sheet metal, near the vent outlet.
What the tag looks like
Usually 10 to 14 characters. The critical thing to note alongside it is gas or electric — the two share a cabinet and a model prefix but almost none of the heating parts, and ordering the wrong one is the most common return on a dryer repair.
What fails on a dryer
Ordered most-replaced first. Prices are typical retail ranges for the part alone — not quotes, and not including labour. Confirm the part against your model number before you order.
| Part | What you notice | Install | Typical price | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal fuse | Drum tumbles, air stays cold, clothes come out damp and warm at best. | easy20–40 minutes | $8–$28Aftermarket is fine | Blows once, then it is finished |
| Heating element (electric) | No heat at all, and the thermal fuse tests good. | moderate1–2 hours | $25–$85Aftermarket is fine | 8–15 years |
| Cycling and high-limit thermostats | Heat comes on but runs too hot, or cuts out partway through the cycle. | easy30–45 minutes | $10–$40Aftermarket is fine | 8–15 years |
| Drive belt | Motor runs, drum does not turn, and the drum spins by hand with no resistance. | moderate1–2 hours | $12–$45Aftermarket is fine | 8–14 years |
| Drum rollers and idler pulley | Loud rumble or thumping that changes pitch with the load. | moderate1–2 hours | $20–$70Aftermarket is fine | 7–12 years |
| Gas igniter (gas dryers) | Drum turns, no heat, and nothing glows when you watch through the burner port. | moderate45–90 minutes | $20–$65Either works | 6–12 years |
| Gas valve coil kit (gas dryers) | Igniter glows, gas never lights, or heat works for one load and not the next. | moderate45–90 minutes | $20–$65Buy OEM | 8–15 years |
| Door switch | Dryer will not start, or stops the moment you nudge the door. | easy20–40 minutes | $10–$40Aftermarket is fine | 8–15 years |
| Blower wheel | Weak airflow at the outside vent plus a ticking or rattling from the base. | moderate1–2 hours | $20–$70Either works | 10–15 years |
| Moisture sensor bars | Auto-dry cycles end after ten minutes with the load still wet. | easy30–45 minutes | $15–$50Either works | 10+ years |
Easy · 4
Moderate · 6
Advanced · 0
4 of these 10 parts need nothing more than a screwdriver. Before you accept a repair quote on a dryer, it is worth knowing which tier the part sits in — the labour is usually the larger half of the bill.
OEM or aftermarket for a dryer
Paying OEM for everything is waste. Saving on the wrong part costs you the repair twice.
Nearly everything on a dryer is a commodity part with published specifications, and aftermarket thermal fuses, thermostats, belts, rollers and idler pulleys from a known brand are the sensible buy. The exceptions are the gas valve coil set and the control board, where OEM is worth the premium because a marginal coil produces an intermittent no-heat fault that is miserable to chase.
- Buy OEM on this appliance
- Gas valve coil kit
- Aftermarket is fine
- Thermal fuse, Heating element, Cycling and high-limit thermostats, Drive belt, Drum rollers and idler pulley, Door switch
- Either works — buy on price
- Gas igniter, Blower wheel, Moisture sensor bars
- Still under warranty?
- Call the manufacturer before you buy anything. A covered repair costs nothing, and fitting a part yourself first can complicate the claim.
Where to buy dryer parts
Shipping and returns are the terms each supplier publishes; where none is stated, we say so rather than guess. We are not affiliated with any of them and earn nothing from these listings.
| Supplier | Shipping | Returns | Part finder |
|---|---|---|---|
| PartSelectpartselect.com1-888-738-4871 | Free over $49 | 365 days | Model number search |
| RepairClinicrepairclinic.com1-800-269-2609 | Not listed | 365 days | Symptom-based finder |
| Appliance Parts Prosappliancepartspros.com1-877-477-7278 | Same-day dispatch | Not listed | Parts diagrams by model |
| Sears Parts Directsearspartsdirect.com1-800-252-1698 | Not listed | Not listed | Model lookup with exploded diagrams |
| Amazon Appliance Partsamazon.com1-888-280-4331 | Prime next-day | Easy returns, no window stated | Keyword search and reviews |
Guides that use these parts
Tools, safety warnings and the steps in order, before you spend anything.
moderate
Dryer Not Heating
moderate
Dryer Takes Too Long
moderate
Dryer Squealing or Thumping
moderate
Dryer Won't Start
moderate
Dryer Drum Not Turning
moderate
Dryer Shuts Off Mid-Cycle
moderate
Dryer Smells Like Burning
advanced
Dryer Trips the Breaker
moderate
Dryer Getting Too Hot
moderate
Dryer Tearing or Snagging Clothes
Next steps
Not sure the dryer is worth the part?
Check what it is still worth before you spend. The Appliance Blue Book takes its age, brand tier and condition and tells you whether a repair still makes sense — or points you at someone local who can quote the job properly.