Should You Repair or Replace Your Broken Clothes Dryer?
CR’s interactive tool leverages product costs, depreciation rates, and survey data to help you make the right choice. Plus, expert advice on what to do next.
By Keith Flamer
Data visualizations by Andy Bergmann
Manufacturers generally design dryers to chug along for a decade or so, tumbling clothes and spewing heat like a trusty old steam engine. And that usually works out: After all, dryers aren’t as complex as washers. They’re simple machines, with fewer parts.
Still, sometimes they break down. And as our 2021 survey data—reflecting the experiences of almost 80,000 dryer owners—suggests, an array of issues can occur, with the most common complaint (at 12 percent) being that the dryer simply stopped drying.
When problems arise, it’s typically better for the environment if you try to resuscitate your dryer and save it from the landfill; that’s where 37.4 million tons of waste, generated by large appliances, ended up in 2018, according to the most recent Environmental Protection Agency data available. But not everything can be fixed, and not all fixable situations make economic sense. Here are the tools and techniques you need to navigate your options.
Whether you should repair your dryer depends on its age and its potential repair cost vs. the cost of a new dryer.
Our interactive tool can help you figure out whether it’s worth paying a pro to repair your dryer or if you’re better off buying a new one. Below, we’ll also share tips on the next steps to take, whether you opt to have your machine repaired or find a new one that will stand the test of time.
As an example, if you spent $600 on your electric dryer nine years ago and you’re pushing it to the limit (say, seven loads per week), a new dryer purchase may be worth it. If the machine is 3 years old and you spent $1,100 on it, a repair is more logical, depending on the problem.
Naturally, if your machine is under warranty (as is typical within a year of purchase), it makes sense to simply repair your machine.
Even if your warranty has lapsed, take a moment to look up your model on the manufacturer’s site. This way, you can check to see if your issue is related to a recall and therefore covered for parts and service, or a replacement.
DIY or Hire a Pro?
Most dryer issues require a technician, but a few problems can be fixed on your own. For instance, if you notice your dryer’s performance is lagging and clothes take longer to dry, double-check to ensure that there’s no lint buildup. “Anyone can clean the lint screen and check the external ducting to ensure proper air flow,” says Dean Landers, president of Landers Appliance, a certified service center based in Baltimore.
Depending on the problem, you might find the solution in your product’s manual or on the manufacturer’s website. Chances are, by searching for your machine’s brand name along with the problem, you’ll land on a few good how-to videos. Those from Repair Clinic often float to the top, offering tutorials as well as spare parts. (Be aware that repairing it yourself sometimes requires access to specialized parts and tools typically reserved for authorized distributors.)
Not sure what the problem is? If a product manual’s troubleshooting section isn’t helpful, try the customer service hotline or live chat. Searching the web with your dryer brand and the issue you’re experiencing can lead you to clues as to what is wrong, as well as forums of dryer owners suffering from the same problem.
(Compared with how they reported dryer problems for other brands, our survey members were more likely to cite Frigidaire gas and electric dryers for door problems, Samsung gas and electric dryers for drum issues, and Bosch compact dryers for both tangled clothes and clothes not drying sufficiently.)
Once you’ve defined your problem, the correct terms should pull up relevant material. If the issue seems too complex to tackle or if it remains a mystery, you need to track down a technician. Ask friends or neighbors in your area for trusted recommendations, or search sites like Angi and Thumbtack for well-reviewed contractors.
In our member survey, 72 percent of respondents sought to repair their dryer when it broke down, with most (40 percent) hiring a technician from an independent repair shop, as opposed to a retailer or manufacturer. Of those who sought professional repairs, more than half paid out of pocket, and 44 percent were at least partially covered by a manufacturer’s warranty or extended warranty. The median repair cost was $172 for a gas dryer, and slightly cheaper, $170, for an electric dryer.
Landers says a $100 to $150 service charge is typically added to the total cost, depending on your location. Large cities and both coasts may be more expensive, boosting the repair cost upwards of $195 to $225, he adds.
Most of those who sought help got it. Overall, almost all problematic dryers were repaired, though some issues were more likely to be fixed than others.
Heating element: 98 percent
Drum problem: 94 percent
Faulty control panel: 88 percent
However, CR members were more tolerant of issues related to poor dryer performance, like tangled clothes, overdried clothes or clothes not drying thoroughly. Only 21 percent or less of dryers with these particular problems were taken for a repair.
Making Greener Choices
• We compiled 45 Ways to Save More and Waste Less.
• Repair vs. Replace: Refrigerators, Ranges, Dishwashers, Washers.
• See our fourth-annual Appliance Brand Reliability Rankings.
For more, see CR’s Guide to Sustainable Living.
Finding a Dryer That Will Last
If it turns out that repairing your dryer isn’t worth it, try to locate a nearby recycling center at Earth 911. And replace the old model with one that not only serves your needs now but also avoids breakdowns in the future and ensures a smooth repair process if problems arise anyway.
Below is a big-picture look at the data that fuels our tool above. In general, premium dryers are worth repairing for a longer period of time because the cost of a typical repair is a smaller proportion of the machine’s value. In other words, a $172 repair on a $430 dryer makes little financial sense after the first few years. You’re better off flipping that money for a new $850 dryer with excellent reliability and Energy Star certification—because it has a longer shelf life and saves energy costs with each load. On the other hand, if you own the $1,735 LG DLEC900V (the top-rated option in our ratings), that $172 repair is worth it for at least a decade.
When you’re ready to shop, start by narrowing your choices to only those that are a good match for your washer. For instance, if your washer doesn’t spin excess moisture from your clothes well, look for a high-performing dryer. (Check out our clothes dryer buying guide to learn more about your options.)
CR members can read on for some of the top-rated models in our clothes dryer ratings. They’re top-rated models—electric, gas, and compact dryers—from reliable dryer brands, according to Consumer Reports tests. All earn Excellent ratings for reliability, except for the Samsung, which receives a Good score. Some are also Energy Star certified—meaning they use 20 percent less energy than conventional dryers—which will save you money over the long term. About half the electric dryers in our ratings are Energy Star certified.
Best Electric Dryers
Best Gas Dryers
Best Compact Dryers
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