Photo: Icade, “Laverie icade”, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and converted to WebP; shown cropped.
Appliance repair: the basics
Dryers, washers, fridges, ovens, dishwashers, microwaves: repairs and hookups.
The full guide for this trade is being written. Until then, here is what we know for sure: the problems that belong here, who handles them, and how to check a contractor.
On this page4 sections: urgent, permits…
What people call about
- Dryer not heating
- Fridge not cold
- Dishwasher won't drain
- Oven won't heat
How soon to call
Act today
Dryer smells like burning
Ask for: dryer and dryer vent inspection
Turn the dryer off and do not use it until it has been checked: lint left in a dryer and its vent is the leading factor in dryer fires. If you see smoke or flames, get everyone out and call 911 from outside.
Gas smell when the oven is on
Ask for: gas range service after the gas company checks it
Leave the house now with everyone. Do not turn lights on or off, light anything or use a phone inside. Call 911 or the gas company from outside, away from the smell, and stay out until they say it is safe.
Gas smell from the dryer
Ask for: gas dryer and gas connection check, after the gas company makes it safe
Leave the house now with everyone. Do not turn lights on or off, light anything or use a phone inside. Call 911 or the gas company from outside, away from the smell, and stay out until they say it is safe.
Call in the next day or two
Dishwasher won't drain
Ask for: dishwasher drain pump and hose service
Dishwasher leaking on the floor
Ask for: dishwasher door seal, pump or hose repair
Fridge not cold
Ask for: refrigerator repair
Food in a closed fridge stays safe for about four hours; a full freezer about two days. Keep the doors shut.
Refrigerator leaking water on the floor
Ask for: refrigerator defrost drain or water line service
Oven won't heat up
Ask for: oven repair
Stove burner won't heat
Ask for: cooktop element or burner repair
Gas burner won't light
Ask for: gas range igniter and burner repair
If you smell gas while it clicks, turn the knob off, open a window and stop using the stove until it is checked.
Dryer not heating
Ask for: dryer heating element, thermostat or igniter repair
Check the lint screen and the vent outside first; a blocked vent causes the same symptom and is a fire risk.
Dryer won't start
Ask for: dryer repair
Washer won't drain
Ask for: washer drain pump service
Washer won't fill
Ask for: washer inlet valve and fill hose service
Washing machine leaking
Ask for: washer hose, pump or seal repair
Schedule it
Dishes come out of the dishwasher dirty
Ask for: dishwasher service
Install a new dishwasher
Ask for: dishwasher installation and hookup
Fridge making a loud noise
Ask for: refrigerator service
Ice maker stopped making ice
Ask for: ice maker repair
Glass cooktop cracked
Ask for: cooktop glass replacement
Do not use a cracked glass cooktop; liquids can reach the wiring underneath.
Built-in microwave stopped working
Ask for: microwave repair or replacement
Range hood fan not working
Ask for: range hood repair
Dryer squealing or thumping
Ask for: dryer drum roller and belt service
Washer bangs and shakes on spin
Ask for: washer leveling and suspension service
Washer smells musty
Ask for: washer cleaning and gasket service
Window AC not cooling
Ask for: window unit repair (often cheaper to replace)
Wine fridge not cooling
Ask for: compact refrigerator repair
General guidance, not a diagnosis. If anyone is in danger, call 911 first.
Permits and licensing
- This work rarely needs a permit, but a town can still require one for parts of it.
- Most states keep no license record for this trade, and whether one exists in yours depends on the state and the job size, so a search may find none. Use review sites and ask for references from recent customers.
Know what you're looking at
Common causes of a washer that will not spin or drain include a worn belt, a lid switch or a clogged drain pump. A technician should name the cause before work starts.
A dishwasher that will not drain is often a clogged filter or drain hose. Check the filter first, and ask the technician what was found before paying.
Repair or replace? If the repair costs a large share of a new machine and the appliance is old, replacing may make more sense. Ask for the repair quote in writing first.
General information, not legal, tax, engineering or insurance advice. Rules and prices vary by place, so get three local quotes. Problem list updated 2026-10-04.