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Dryer Won’t Start After a Power Outage
After an outage, a dryer often just needs its breaker reset fully or a 5-minute unplug to reset the control board. If that doesn’t work, the surge may have damaged the control board, a switch or the motor. We test before replacing anything.
- Resets you can try first
- You approve the price first
- Control boards tested, not guessed
- 90-day OEM parts and labor warranty
Most outage repairs
$75 to $280
Fuse, door or start switch, or motor. Control boards are priced after testing.
The short answer
When a dryer won’t start after a power outage, first switch its breaker fully off and back on, then unplug the dryer for 5 minutes to reset the controls. If it still won’t start, the surge may have damaged the control board, a door or start switch, or the motor. In Cedar Rapids those repairs typically cost $75 to $280, and boards are priced after testing.
5 minutes
unplugged resets most control boards
$75 to $280
typical repair, parts and labor
Aug 2020
derecho: about 5 days without power
Try these resets first
Many dryers that act dead after an outage aren’t broken. Work through these in order.
- Switch the dryer breaker fully off, wait 30 seconds, then back on. An electric dryer uses a double breaker, and one side can trip during a surge without the handle moving much.
- Unplug the dryer for 5 minutes. On electronic models this resets the control board, which can lock up when power flickers.
- Check for a control lock. Some dryers come back from an outage with the child lock or control lock on. Look for a lock light.
- Check the outlet with a lamp (for a gas dryer’s 120-volt outlet). No power means a breaker or GFCI outlet has tripped.
- Press start and hold for 3 seconds. Some models need a longer press after a reset.
If you smell gas after power returns, leave the house and call Alliant Energy at 1-800-255-4268.
What an outage can damage
If the resets don’t work, the outage or the surge when power came back may have damaged a part.
The control board
Electronic dryers are the most vulnerable. A voltage spike when power returns can damage the board, leaving the display dark or unresponsive. We test the board’s inputs and outputs before recommending a new one, because it is the priciest part.
What we test: power into the board and its outputs to the motor and heat.
Half the 240-volt supply
On electric dryers, one side of the circuit may still be off. The display may light but the dryer won’t run or won’t heat.
What we test: voltage at the outlet and terminal block.
The door switch or start switch
A surge can burn contacts in a switch, and an outage mid-cycle sometimes coincides with a switch that was already wearing out.
What we test: continuity through the door and start switches. See dryer won’t start.
The motor
A motor that was running when power dropped and came back can be damaged, especially on older dryers. It may hum without starting.
What we test: the motor windings and whether the drum turns freely.
The 2020 derecho and local outages
On August 10, 2020, the derecho hit Cedar Rapids with winds of about 112 mph, damaged more than 1,600 properties and left much of the city without power for around five days. When power came back, many appliances with electronic controls had to be reset or repaired. Summer storms and winter ice still knock out power here, and the same thing happens on a smaller scale after every outage.
Should I put my dryer on a surge protector?
A standard plug-in surge strip isn’t made for a 240-volt dryer. The practical protection is a whole-house surge protector installed at the electrical panel by an electrician. It protects the dryer, washer, furnace and electronics together.
What it costs to fix
If a part was damaged, most repairs cost $75 to $280 for parts and labor.
| Repair | Typical price | Time on site |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal fuse | $85 to $130 | 30 to 45 min |
| Door switch | $75 to $120 | 30 to 45 min |
| Start switch | $80 to $130 | 30 to 45 min |
| Drive motor | $150 to $280 | 60 to 90 min |
Control boards are priced after testing, because they vary a lot by brand and model. You approve the price before any work starts. The full cost guide lists every part.
How the repair visit works
- You call and describe it. Tell us what the dryer does now: nothing at all, lights but no start, or a hum.
- We test before we replace. Alan Smith or Richard Bollinger meters the likely parts and checks the vent.
- You approve the price. We show you the failed part and give you one price. You approve the price before any work starts.
- We run a full cycle. Heat, airflow and drum checked before we leave.
Dryer not working?
Tell us what the dryer does now. Calls before noon usually get a same-day visit.
Dryer after a power outage: more questions
Questions we hear around Cedar Rapids, Marion and Hiawatha.
Why won’t my dryer start after the power came back?
Usually one side of the double breaker is still off, or the control board locked up. Reset the breaker fully and unplug the dryer for 5 minutes. If that doesn’t work, a part may be damaged.
Can a power surge ruin a dryer?
It can damage the control board or a switch, and sometimes the motor. The drum, heater and most mechanical parts are rarely affected. Most surge damage is a single part.
My dryer lights up but won’t run after an outage. What is it?
Power is getting to the controls, so the breaker is at least partly on. Check the control lock, then the door switch. On electric dryers, check that both sides of the breaker are on.
Will home insurance cover surge damage?
Some policies cover appliance damage from power surges or storms. Check your policy, and ask us for a description of the failed part and the repair when you file a claim.
Get your dryer running after the outage
Call before noon for a same-day visit in Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha or the nearby towns. You approve the price before any work starts, and OEM parts and labor carry a 90-day warranty. See our main dryer repair in Cedar Rapids page.