Dryer Motor Replacement Cost

Last Updated on December 27, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

The dryer motor is a vital component of your home’s laundry system. When your dryer motor stops working, it will cause premature wear on the tumbler. If this happens you’ll want to get in touch with an experienced repair team who can replace or fix that broken part before any further damage occurs.

How much does it cost to replace a dryer motor?

Dryer motors can cost anywhere from $45 to as much as $230, and this price doesn’t include installation. The average retail price for an OEM-brand dryer motor is about twice the amount of their counterparts because they’re made by more established brands with higher quality standards, which also means that you’ll have less risk when it comes to fixing your broken appliance.

Dryer motor prices vary depending on the brand and model. For example, Amazon sells Whirlpool dryers for $45 to $80, while Maytag branded products cost anywhere between $80 and $130. Amana and GE clothes dryer motor models are sold for $80 to $120.

The average dryer motor repair costs $130 to $320, depending on the brand and model. This includes labor as well as parts replacement for your machine’s motor system (which may be something simple like replacing a burnt-out switch). A professional can often do this work in just one visit with an estimated cost of around $160.

To find out what your favorite brand costs, refer to our table below. Prices are per part, not including labor rates because that will vary depending on who you choose to work with. To budget enough add another $120-$230 to these prices just to get a better estimate.

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Dryer motor details

When replacing the dryer motor, the drum will be removed first by popping the panel and the lid. Depending on the model and make of your machine, this may be placed from the back or the front of the dryer. After that, in order to loosen the motor shaft, the blower wheel that is screwed to the motor shaft will also be removed by disconnecting the electrical connector. As the motor is removed, a new one will be fixed on the blower wheel and all disconnected parts will be put back together. Finally, to see if the motor is working properly you will have to test the dryer.

You might also like our articles about the cost of a refrigerator, dishwasher, or double oven.

What are the extra costs?

It is important to be aware of the extra costs when replacing your dryer motor. You will need not only the motor itself, but also drum rollers, idler, and belt which should cost about $35-$60 more.

In addition to the dryer motor, other parts may need replacement. These could include a dryer blower or a motor coupling, which costs around $15 each. Also, a motor pulley may be necessary. This usually costs about $30 and is often used on certain Maytag gas/electric models. It is important to consider the costs of a professional if you plan to hire one as this will increase the final costs by more than 30%.

The repairman might make you pay additional charges if he notices any other problems while replacing your motor, but this should not be all that much if no complicated issue is found.

Important things to consider

If your dryer is making a humming noise when you press the start button, then this could be a sign that its motor has burnt out. Some say they hear an echo-like sound which can lead them to believe there’s something wrong with their machine, but there are cases when only the dryer belt is broken and needs to be replaced. This costs only around $25 and is an easy job to fix.

It’s important to always get the right part number before buying a new dryer motor or replace the existing one.  The number of the model can be found in the device’s manual or on the machine itself. This will help ensure that your dryer is compatible with other brands and models of appliances.

Also, it’s important to make sure that your dryer motor meets the original equipment manufacturer standards before buying.

How can I save money?

Dryers can last for 10 years. So, if your dryer is more than ten years old, consider purchasing a new one instead of investing in repairs or refurbishing an older model with high repair costs.

A dryer is an essential appliance for keeping your clothes fresh and clean, but if you think it’s too much of a hassle to call someone in order fix it when something goes wrong then you can easily replace the motor yourself. There are many instructional guides online that will walk you through every step with pictures so all it takes is following their directions and within minutes or hours, you should be able to fix it regardless of your expertise.

There are a lot of different retailers out there, and each has its own prices. Make sure to check your part number with at least three other companies before making your purchase. You can also take advantage of Google Shopping by searching for “part number” or go onto eBay and do some comparison shopping there too.

If your dryer is less than two years old, then it may still be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Check with them to see if they’ll cover repairs and also make sure you contact them before hiring a repair company because some repairs might void the warranty.