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Natural Gas Dryer Repair in Plano, TX
Igniter glowing but no heat? We repair natural gas dryers in Plano: we test the coils, igniter and airflow with a meter, and give you the price in writing before any work starts.
Last reviewed September 29, 2026. Written and reviewed by the Plano Dryer Pros team. How we create content
A gas dryer heats with a natural gas burner instead of an electric element. When it runs but stays cold, the usual causes are the igniter, the gas valve coils or the flame sensor, and a blocked vent often sits behind repeat failures. We diagnose gas dryers in Plano homes with a meter and a full ignition cycle, then quote the price in writing first.
Key takeaways
- Igniter glows but no flame? The gas valve coils are a frequent cause.
- Gas dryers vent combustion gases outdoors, so the duct must be intact.
- Gas supply piping and the shutoff valve are a plumber’s job, not a dryer repair.
- Smell gas? Leave, then call 911 and Atmos Energy at 866.322.8667.
How a gas dryer makes heat
A gas dryer turns the drum with an electric motor, like any dryer, but heats the air with a small gas burner. That takes a short chain of parts working in order. Exact parts vary by brand and model, but the sequence is much the same:
- The thermostat calls for heat.
- The igniter glows, drawing current.
- That current lets the gas valve coils open the valve.
- Gas reaches the burner and lights.
- The igniter switches off once the flame is established, and the cycle repeats to hold temperature.
When one link fails, the drum still tumbles but the air stays cold. What the igniter does tells you which link failed.
| What the igniter does | Likely cause | What we test |
|---|---|---|
| Glows, then goes out, no flame | Failed gas valve coils, a frequent cause when the igniter itself glows fine | A meter on the coils while we watch a full ignition cycle |
| Never glows | Failed igniter, an open thermal fuse or high-limit thermostat, or a control fault | Continuity on the igniter and the safety parts |
| Flame lights, then dies | Flame sensor or burner problem, or restricted airflow tripping a safety | The burner and sensor, then airflow |
| Heat cycles off early, long dry times | Restricted vent, or the high-limit thermostat tripping | Airflow at the outside hood |
If you smell gas
Leave the house right away. Don’t flip switches or run the dryer. From a safe distance, call 911 and Atmos Energy’s emergency line at 866.322.8667, and don’t go back in until they say it is safe. Then call us to look at the dryer.
What is the difference between a gas dryer and an electric dryer?
A gas dryer heats air with a natural gas burner and needs a normal 120-volt outlet plus a gas connection. An electric dryer heats with an electric element and needs a 240-volt circuit. The drum, motor and vent work the same way in both, and both can suffer from restricted airflow.
How can I tell if a gas dryer igniter has failed?
A working igniter glows bright orange when the dryer calls for heat. If it never glows, the igniter, a thermal fuse or a thermostat may have failed. If it glows and a flame lights, the igniter is likely fine. If it glows and goes out with no flame, suspect the gas valve coils.
Why does my gas dryer burner keep turning on and off?
Some cycling is normal, because the burner turns off to hold temperature. Very short, frequent cycles usually mean restricted airflow is making the dryer overheat and trip its high-limit thermostat. Check the lint screen, the duct behind the dryer and the outside hood before assuming a part has failed.
Gas dryers must vent outdoors
A gas dryer exhausts combustion gases, including carbon monoxide, along with the moist air, so its vent has to be intact and lead outside. Never vent a gas dryer into a garage, attic or crawlspace. A crushed or clogged duct is a fire risk and a combustion-gas risk, so we check the whole vent path on every gas dryer visit. Working carbon monoxide alarms in the home are a sensible backup.
Should a gas dryer ever smell like gas?
No. Natural gas has an odor added so leaks are noticeable, and a lingering or strong gas smell is never normal. Treat it as an emergency: leave the house, avoid switches, and from a safe distance call 911 and Atmos Energy at 866.322.8667 before doing anything else.
What we repair, and what we leave to a plumber
We repair the dryer’s own gas parts: igniter, gas valve coils, flame sensor, burner assembly, thermal fuse and thermostats. We do not run or modify gas supply piping or replace the shutoff valve; that is a licensed plumber’s job. If a leak is suspected, we stop, shut the dryer off, and tell you plainly.
Should I turn off the gas valve before working on a gas dryer?
Yes. Close the shutoff valve and unplug the dryer before working on any gas part, and reopen the valve only when the work is done and the connections are secure. Gas connections should be handled by someone qualified. If you ever smell gas, leave the house first.
Can a gas dryer be converted to run on propane?
Some gas dryers can be converted between natural gas and propane with a manufacturer conversion kit, but not all models allow it. The conversion must follow the installation manual and be done by a qualified person, because the wrong burner setup can be unsafe.
Gas dryer repair cost in Plano
Typical ranges for the Plano area, parts and labor included. Your exact price is written down and approved by you first.
| Repair | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Gas igniter or valve coils | $200–$375 |
| Thermal fuse or thermostat | $150–$275 |
| Vent path cleared, airflow restored | $100–$200 |
| Belt, idler pulley or drum rollers | $200–$375 |
See the full breakdown on our dryer repair cost guide.
How much does a gas dryer igniter replacement cost?
Replacing a gas dryer igniter typically costs about $200 to $375 in the Plano area, parts and labor included, and the same range covers gas valve coils. The exact price depends on the brand and model, and on whether the vent also needs clearing.
Should I repair or replace a gas dryer?
Usually repair, if the dryer is under about 10 to 12 years old and the fix costs well under half the price of a comparable new one. Our repair or replace guide walks through it.
Sources
- Atmos Energy gas emergency guidance (866.322.8667)
- National Fire Protection Association, Clothes Dryers and Washing Machines fact sheet (2010 to 2014 annual averages)
- Your dryer’s installation and service manual, which governs over any general guidance on this page
Frequently asked questions
Why does my gas dryer glow but not heat?
If the igniter glows and then goes out without a flame, the gas valve coils are a frequent cause, and replacing the igniter first often misses it. A technician tests the coils with a meter while watching the ignition cycle.
Can I replace a gas dryer igniter myself?
It is possible on some models, but the job involves the gas system, and the same symptom can come from coils or airflow. If you are not experienced with gas appliances, call a technician. Never work on a dryer that smells of gas.
How can I tell if the dryer or the gas line is the problem?
If the igniter glows and other gas appliances in the house work, the fault is probably inside the dryer. If you smell gas, leave the house and call 911 and Atmos Energy at 866.322.8667.
Do gas dryers need a special vent?
They use the same style of exhaust duct as electric dryers, but it must be intact and lead outdoors because it carries combustion gases. Rigid or semi-rigid metal duct is better than flexible foil.
How much does gas dryer repair cost in Plano?
Most gas dryer repairs run about $150 to $400 including parts and labor. Igniters and valve coils typically fall between $200 and $375. You get the exact price in writing before work starts.
Is it safe to use a gas dryer that takes two cycles to dry?
It is better not to. Restricted airflow makes the dryer run hotter and lets lint build up. Check the vent and outside hood, and call us if the problem does not clear.
Get your dryer working again
Call and a person will answer, or request a repair online. You get the full price in writing before any work starts.