Why is my dryer not drying — clothes still damp or it takes two cycles?
Most common cause on a dryer in the GTA: clogged or crushed exhaust vent run — moist air can't escape, so heat is present but clothes stay damp. A typical repair runs $250–$420 all-in, including the $149.95 diagnostic, credited 100% toward your repair. No immediate hazard if you stop double-cycling, but a vent packed enough to stop drying is a lint-fire risk — book promptly. Book at convenience
Prices in CAD for the GTA; typical ranges — your exact quote is confirmed on-site before any work. Updated .
Most dryer faults in the GTA come down to a handful of parts — and the majority are worth repairing rather than replacing a 10–13 years appliance. Anthony is a Red Seal certified technician who carries the common dryer parts on the van, so most the GTA jobs are diagnosed and fixed in a single visit.
Dryer repair costs in the GTA
Honest, all-in ranges for common jobs. Every visit starts with a flat $149.95 diagnostic that is credited 100% toward your repair — so you never pay it twice.
| Problem | Parts | Labour | All-in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not drying (clothes still damp) | $0–$120 | $130–$200 | $250–$420 |
| Diagnostic (credited to the repair) | $149.95 |
Ranges are estimates for common the GTA jobs; your exact quote is confirmed on-site before any work begins. Prices in CAD, updated .
How your repair works
Four simple steps, no surprises.
Book
Call or request a callback. Same-day & next-day appointments available.
Diagnose
A flat $149.95 diagnostic pinpoints the real fault.
Approve
You get an upfront all-in quote first — diagnostic credited 100% toward your repair.
Repaired
Fixed with OEM parts, backed by a 90-day warranty.
Common Dryer problems & what we check
Tap any problem for the likely causes, what is safe to check yourself, and what it costs.
Not drying (clothes still damp)$250–$420
Not drying (clothes still damp): The drum turns and the air feels warm, but loads come out damp and need a second cycle to finish.
Also described as: takes too long, clothes still damp, won't dry, needs two cycles, hot but not drying, drying takes forever, runs warm but wet
Likely causes
- Clogged or crushed exhaust vent run — moist air can't escape, so heat is present but clothes stay damp (Most common)
- Lint-choked internal lint-screen housing or a lint-bound blower wheel cutting airflow (Common)
- Residue-fouled moisture-sensor bars (from dryer sheets) ending auto cycles early (Common)
- Kinked or over-long transition duct, or too many elbows in the run (Occasional)
- Weak/partial heat from a marginal element or thermistor reading low (warm, not hot) (Occasional)
How we diagnose it — in order
- Pull the lint screen and hold it to the light — if it's coated or water beads on it (fabric-softener film), clean it; a clogged or filmed screen chokes airflow so warm, moist air can't carry water out. Also confirm the load wasn't oversized or sopping (washer not spinning out).
- Run the dryer on a heat cycle for a few minutes, then go to the EXTERIOR vent hood and feel the exhaust — it should blow strong and warm, like a hair dryer, and the flap should be open. Weak or no airflow at the hood is the most common cause of 'warm but damp': the duct is restricted.
- Pull the dryer out, disconnect the transition duct, and inspect the full path — the duct behind the unit (check for kinks/crushing/foil concertina), the wall duct, and the exterior hood/flap — for lint packing or a bird/rodent nest. Clear the whole run and confirm strong airflow returns at the hood.
- With airflow confirmed good, clean the moisture-sensor bars inside the drum (lightly abrade the fabric-softener film off the metal strips). Filmed sensor bars read clothes as 'dry' early and end the auto cycle while loads are still damp; compare against a timed cycle to confirm.
- Technician check: verify the heat is full-strength, not partial. On an electric dryer test the heating element for the correct resistance and confirm both legs of 240V at the element/terminal block (a broken 120V leg gives warm-but-weak heat); test the cycling thermostat/thermistor against spec. On gas, confirm the burner stays lit through the cycle (igniter/flame sensor/valve coils) rather than firing only briefly.
✔ Safe to check yourself
- Clean the lint filter before every load, then check that the exterior vent flap actually opens with strong airflow while the dryer runs.
- Wipe the moisture-sensor bars inside the drum (two metal strips, usually near the lint filter) with a little rubbing alcohol — dryer-sheet residue makes them end cycles early.
- Run a timed (not auto-sense) cycle: if the load dries fine on timed but not on auto, that points to the sensor or airflow, not the heat circuit.
✖ Leave to a technician
- Clearing the blower wheel, internal lint-screen housing, or duct behind the cabinet means opening the dryer — technician job.
- Any element, thermistor or gas component is technician-only (electrical / gas / fire safety).
Related: Not heating · Drum not spinning · Making noise (squeaking, grinding, thumping)
Ready to get it fixed?
Call now — (647) 490-7878 90-day warranty · flat $149.95 diagnostic credited 100% toward your repairDryer not drying (clothes still damp) by brand
Brand-specific dryer repair
Get your dryer fixed — not drying (clothes still damp) repair near you
We diagnose and repair dryer not drying (clothes still damp) across the GTA, same-day where possible, with the flat $149.95 diagnostic credited 100% toward your repair.
Why homeowners across the GTA call us
Every repair is led by Anthony, a Red Seal interprovincial journeyman who is 313A Licensed, TSSA Certified, ODP Certified, with his team working under his direct leadership — backed by $2,000,000+ general liability insurance and a 90-day workmanship warranty on every job.
Red Seal-led team
Every job is overseen by Anthony, a certified journeyman, and handled by his own trusted team.
Licensed & gas-certified
313A refrigeration licence and TSSA gas certification for safe, code-correct repairs.
$2,000,000+ insured
Fully insured for general liability, so your home is protected during the repair.
90-day warranty
Parts and workmanship are warrantied — if it's not right, we come back.
OEM parts on the van
Common parts are stocked, so most jobs are completed on the first visit.
Upfront pricing
A flat $149.95 diagnostic, credited 100% toward your repair, and a quote before any work.
What our credentials mean for you
- Red Seal Certified
- The interprovincial standard for skilled trades — a journeyman who passed the national appliance-service exam.
- 313A Licensed
- Ontario's refrigeration & air-conditioning systems mechanic licence — legally required to work on sealed cooling systems.
- TSSA Certified
- Technical Standards & Safety Authority gas certification — qualified to work safely on gas appliances.
- ODP Certified
- Ozone Depletion Prevention certification — licensed to handle refrigerants responsibly and to code.
Repair or replace your dryer?
A simple rule of thumb: if the repair costs more than half the price of a comparable new unit and the appliance is near the end of its life, replacement may make more sense.
A dryer typically lasts – and costs $800–$1,500 to replace — so most faults under about $450 are worth fixing. We'll always tell you honestly when a repair isn't worth your money.
Keep your dryer running
Simple habits that prevent the most common the GTA repairs.
- Clean the lint filter before every load.
- Have the full vent run (wall to outside) cleared once a year — the top fire-prevention step.
- Don't overload the drum; it accelerates roller and belt wear.
- Check the exterior vent flap opens freely and isn't blocked by lint or snow.
More appliance repair in the GTA
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Frequently asked questions
Why is my dryer not drying — clothes still damp or it takes two cycles?
Do you charge for the diagnostic?
How soon can you come out?
Are you licensed and insured?
Do you use genuine parts?
Need your dryer fixed in the GTA?
Same-day & next-day appointments available. Flat $149.95 diagnostic, credited 100% toward your repair, and a 90-day warranty on every repair.
Call (647) 490-7878