Dryer Repair in San Rafael & Marin County
No heat, three cycles to dry a load, a drum that will not turn, or a thumping noise. Gas and electric, stacked and standalone.
Rated on Google from 109 reviews · Factory-trained technicians · Lic. 65972
Dryers are simple machines, which makes them quick to diagnose with a meter: heat circuit, airflow, or drive. On an electric dryer we test the heating element, thermal fuse, high-limit and cycling thermostats. On a gas dryer we watch the igniter and check the flame sensor and gas valve coils. Then we check the exhaust, because a restricted vent is the most common reason a dryer that does heat still takes forever.
Symptoms and likely causes
| What you see | What we check first |
|---|---|
| Runs but no heat (electric) | Heating element, thermal fuse, high-limit thermostat, one leg of the 240 V supply |
| Runs but no heat (gas) | Igniter, flame sensor, gas valve coils, thermal fuse |
| Heats but takes two or three cycles | Restricted vent run, lint in the blower housing, cycling thermostat, moisture sensor |
| Drum does not turn, motor hums | Broken belt, idler pulley, seized drum rollers |
| Thumping, squealing or scraping | Drum rollers, idler pulley, drum glides or felt seal |
| Will not start | Door switch, thermal fuse (on many models), start switch, motor |
Vents and lint
If the thermal fuse has blown, something made the dryer overheat, and replacing the fuse without finding the restriction just sets up the next failure. We check the blower housing and the vent run, and tell you if the vent itself needs cleaning or rerouting.
Repair or replace?
Belts, rollers, elements, igniters, fuses and thermostats are inexpensive parts and almost always worth replacing. Replacing a drum or motor on an older budget dryer is a closer call; we will give you the price and our opinion.
Photos from our service calls
Inside the dryer: airflow and heat
Brands we work on
Brand pages cover model-specific faults and real jobs.
Related repair records
Troubleshooting guides
Dryer not heating: what to check · Dryer takes too long to dry
Diagnostic fee and warranty
UniFix Appliance Repair diagnostic visits start at $85. The diagnostic fee varies by appliance type, brand, location, and appointment requirements. We confirm the fee before scheduling. If you approve the repair, the diagnostic fee is applied toward it. The repair is quoted before any work starts. Repairs carry a written warranty on parts and labor; the term is stated on your invoice. How repair costs work.
How a visit works
- Book. Call (415) 494-7882 or use the form below. Tell us the brand, model and what the appliance is doing; we confirm the diagnostic fee and an arrival window before scheduling. Same-day appointments when available.
- Diagnose. The technician tests the appliance in your home and explains what failed and why.
- Approve the price. You get the repair price before any work starts, and decide whether to go ahead.
- Repair or order parts. Belts, rollers, idler pulleys, thermal fuses, thermostats and heating elements are inexpensive and usually quick; drums and motors may need to be ordered.
Before you book
- Gas or electric?. Tell us when you book; the diagnosis and parts are different.
- Where does the vent go?. A short wall vent and a long roof run behave very differently. If you know the route, tell us.
- Find the model number. Usually on a label inside the door frame or on the back panel.
- Burning smell?. Stop using the dryer until it has been checked. If you smell gas, leave the house and call PG&E from outside.
What customers said about dryer repairs
Excerpts are copied word-for-word from our Google Business Profile, where UniFix is rated from 109 reviews (as of Nov 2, 2026). Read every review on Google.
“Amazing service, Daniel came same day to my San Rafael house and fixed my dryer!”
“I had a great experience with Max from Unifix. He came out quickly to repair my dryer, was professional from start to finish, and took the time to explain everything honestly without trying to upsell unnecessary repairs.”
“Called and they were able to come assess my dryer the next day. Figured out the problem in under 30min and ordered the part on the spot.”
“Quickly diagnosed the problem and found a replacement part for my old dryer.”
Common questions
Is a dryer that is not heating dangerous to keep using?
Often it is a blown thermal fuse, which means it overheated. Check that the vent is not crushed or clogged before using it again, and stop if you smell burning.
Do you clean dryer vents?
We check the blower housing and vent on every no-heat or slow-dry call and clear lint we can reach. Long roof or wall runs may need a vent-cleaning company; we will tell you.
Do you work on gas dryers?
Yes. If you smell gas, turn the dryer off, leave the area and call PG&E before calling us.
Request a visit
Prefer to talk? Call (415) 494-7882 (San Francisco: (415) 683-0403). UniFix Appliance Repair diagnostic visits start at $85. The diagnostic fee varies by appliance type, brand, location, and appointment requirements. We confirm the fee before scheduling. If you approve the repair, the diagnostic fee is applied toward it.