Home / Blog / How to test a gas dryer igniter
How to Test a Gas Dryer Igniter
A gas dryer that spins but does not heat often has a weak igniter. Here is how to test it safely, what the results mean and what to check next.
Last reviewed October 1, 2026. Written and reviewed by the Plano Dryer Pros team. How we create content
To test a gas dryer igniter, unplug the dryer and close the gas valve. Look at it first, then test it with a multimeter on continuity, with its wires disconnected. No continuity means it has failed. A normal reading does not prove it is strong, so the valve coils are tested next. If you smell gas, leave the house.
Key takeaways
- Unplug the dryer and close the gas valve before you touch anything.
- A multimeter test finds a failed igniter, but a weak one can still read as good.
- If the igniter glows and no flame follows, the gas valve coils are the next suspect.
- Gas parts are a professional job: stop at the first sign of a gas smell.
What the igniter does
A gas dryer has no pilot light. When the dryer calls for heat, the igniter glows hot, and as it does it draws the current that lets the gas valve coils open the valve. The gas then flows past the glowing igniter and lights. A weak igniter glows but does not draw enough current, so the valve never opens, and the dryer spins without heat. See the igniter and coils guide.
What does a gas dryer igniter do?
The igniter is a heating element that glows when the dryer calls for heat. As it glows it draws current that lets the gas valve coils open, so gas reaches the burner and lights. A weak igniter glows without drawing enough current, so the valve stays shut, the dryer tumbles with no heat, and the igniter often looks fine.
Safety first
- Unplug the dryer, and close the gas shutoff valve behind it
- If you smell gas at any point, leave the house and call 911 and Atmos Energy at 866.322.8667
- Let the igniter cool: it stays hot for a while after use
- Do not disturb the gas connector or the gas valve fittings
- If you are not comfortable, stop and call a technician
Test it step by step
- Look first. With the dryer on, watch the burner area through the window or the open front panel, if your model has one. A good igniter glows bright orange for up to about a minute, then the burner lights.
- Power down. Unplug the dryer and close the gas valve.
- Find the igniter, at the burner tube, usually behind the front or the bottom panel. Photograph the wiring.
- Disconnect its wires, and handle the igniter by the connector, not the glowing element, which is fragile.
- Set a multimeter to continuity or the lowest resistance range, and touch the probes to the two terminals.
- Read the result. No continuity or an open reading means the igniter has failed. A normal reading means it is not open, but not necessarily strong.
How do I test a gas dryer igniter?
Unplug the dryer and close the gas valve. Disconnect the igniter’s wires, set a multimeter to continuity or resistance, and touch the probes to its two terminals. No continuity means it has failed. A reading that looks normal means it is not open, but a weak igniter can still read normal, so the valve coils are tested next.
What the result means
| What you see | What it usually means | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| The igniter never glows | A failed igniter, or no power reaching it | Test it with a meter, and check the thermal fuse and thermostats |
| It glows, then no flame | A weak igniter or weak gas valve coils | Have the igniter and the coils tested together |
| It glows dimly | A weak igniter, near the end of its life | Replace it, ideally with the coils checked |
| It glows, the flame lights, then goes out | A flame sensor or airflow problem | Check the vent: flame sensor and burner |
| It glows for a long time and the burner lights late | A delayed ignition, which is a safety issue | Stop and call a professional |
Why does my gas dryer igniter glow but no flame appears?
The igniter has to draw enough current for the gas valve coils to open, and weak coils or a weak igniter can fail that step. The igniter looks fine because it glows, and the valve never opens. The igniter and the coils are normally tested together, and replaced as a set if either is weak.
Can a gas dryer igniter test good and still be bad?
Yes. A continuity test only shows that the igniter is not broken open. An igniter can weaken with age, glow dimly and draw too little current to open the valve, and still show continuity. That is why a good reading is not the end of the diagnosis, and the coils are checked too.
What it costs, and when to call
A gas igniter or valve coil repair typically costs about $200 to $375 in Plano, parts and labor, and a clear vent about $100 to $200. Call a technician if the igniter tests fine and there is still no flame, if the dryer lights late, or if you are not comfortable working near the gas connection. See the cost guide.
How much does it cost to replace a gas dryer igniter?
A gas igniter or valve coil repair typically costs about $200 to $375 in the Plano area, parts and labor included. The price depends on the model and on whether the coils are replaced with the igniter. These are estimates, not a quote, and you get the exact price in writing before any work starts.
Sources
- Atmos Energy gas emergency guidance (866.322.8667)
- Your dryer’s installation and service manual, which governs over any general guidance on this page
- Plano Dryer Pros estimates of typical local repair pricing, checked against national consumer cost guides for context. See our Editorial Policy.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a gas dryer igniter glow?
On many dryers it glows for up to about a minute before the burner lights. A longer glow with no flame points to the valve coils or a weak igniter. Check your manual for your model.
Can I replace the igniter myself?
Some people do, with the dryer unplugged and the gas valve closed. But the igniter and coils are often replaced together, and the work is next to the gas train, so many people leave it to a technician.
What resistance should a gas dryer igniter show?
It varies by model, so check the manual or the part’s rating. A broken igniter reads open or infinite. A normal reading does not prove it is strong, because strength depends on the current it draws.
Do gas dryers still use pilot lights?
Modern gas dryers use an electric igniter, not a standing pilot. See the post on whether gas dryers have a pilot light.
Can a blocked vent damage the igniter?
A blocked vent trips the thermostats and the thermal fuse, and it can stress the heat parts. Always clear the vent and check the fuse when a gas dryer has no heat.
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.