If your Kenmore dryer has stopped heating, stopped tumbling or started throwing an error code, the technician you call should know the model line. We flag companies whose listing or website mentions Kenmore and fill in with nearby dryer repair companies so you always have options.
Washer and Dryer Repair is independent and not affiliated with Kenmore. Listed companies are independent technicians who repair Kenmore dryers and other brands.
Kenmore dryers were made for Sears by several manufacturers over the years, so the model number matters more than the badge. Independent technicians can look up the parts from it.
Kenmore Dryer Repair Near Madison
Our data shows 32 appliance repair companies inside a 30-mile radius of Madison. 16 list an address in Madison, and other nearby bases include Middleton (4), Sun Prairie (3), and Monona (2). Distances run up to about 27 miles. Nearest on the list: Quarry Appliance Repair Professionals, around 1.3 miles out. None of the companies within 30 miles mention Kenmore by name, so we include matching companies from a longer drive plus the nearest appliance repair companies. Rated companies nearby average 4.5 stars across 32 businesses.
Companies are shown by relevance and distance from Madison. A mention does not mean manufacturer certification, so ask each company about its experience with your dryer.
| List dryer or washer & dryer work | 7 |
|---|---|
| Three nearest companies, miles away | 1.3, 3.5, 3.6 |
| With 4.5+ stars and at least 10 reviews | 10 |
| Mention Kenmore | 0 |
| Open on Saturdays (per listing) | 7 |
| Companies within 30 miles | 32 |
Closest matches for Madison: Sears Appliance Repair (39.5 miles away, based in Beaver Dam, 4.5 stars from 86 reviews, lists Saturday hours); Mr. Appliance of Madison, WI (6.7 miles away, based in Middleton, 4.8 stars from 636 reviews); Ghost Appliance Repair (6.3 miles away, 4.8 stars from 60 reviews); Champion Appliance Care (4.7 miles away, 4.8 stars from 190 reviews).
Kenmore Dryer Lines and Features
What a Kenmore Dryer Technician Deals With
SmartDry Ultra dryers combine two moisture sensors with a temperature monitor and a dual heating element to fine-tune heat and cycle length. Source: Kenmore - 8.8 cu. ft. Electric Dryer w/ SmartDry Ultra Technology
What Kenmore Says to Check First
- Dryer vibrating or noisy. Kenmore says to level the dryer on its four feet without extending them more than needed and keep at least an inch of clearance at the sides and back. Source: Kenmore - Kenmore Elite Steam Dryer Use & Care Guide (796.8178/796.9178)
- Dryer won't start. Kenmore says to confirm the cord is fully plugged into a grounded outlet and the breaker is intact, and to turn off Control Lock if buttons beep but nothing happens. Source: Kenmore - Kenmore Elite Steam Dryer Use & Care Guide (796.8178/796.9178)
Kenmore Dryer Error Codes
| Code | What it means |
|---|---|
| CHECK FILTER (Elite steam dryers) | A reminder to clean the lint filter before the load. Source: Kenmore - Kenmore Elite Steam Dryer Use & Care Guide (796.8178/796.9178) |
| CL (Elite steam dryers) | Control Lock is on. Source: Kenmore - Kenmore Elite Steam Dryer Use & Care Guide (796.8178/796.9178) |
| gAS (Elite steam dryers) | The gas supply is off on a gas model; open the house and dryer gas shutoffs. Source: Kenmore - Kenmore Elite Steam Dryer Use & Care Guide (796.8178/796.9178) |
Kenmore smart washers and dryers can check diagnostics through the Kenmore Smart app or Alexa and send app notices about blocked filters and other machine issues. Source: Kenmore - Kenmore Elite 81782 Smart 7.4 cu. ft. Electric Dryer with Accela Steam
Signs Your Kenmore Dryer Needs a Technician
- Cycles take two or three runs to finish
- Outside of the cabinet gets unusually hot
- Dryer will not start when you press Start
Inside a Dryer Repair Visit
Owner Care for Kenmore Dryers
- If the lint screen looks clogged when held to the light, scrub it with hot soapy water and a stiff brush and let it dry fully before reinstalling. Source: Kenmore - Kenmore Elite Steam Dryer Use & Care Guide (796.8178/796.9178)
- Use only 4-inch rigid or semi-rigid metal duct (no plastic or foil), check it for lint monthly and clean it at least yearly; one Elite steam model allows about 65 feet with no elbows and 28 feet with four 90-degree elbows using a 4-inch hood. Source: Kenmore - Kenmore Elite Steam Dryer Use & Care Guide (796.8178/796.9178)
Brand guides: Kenmore Dryer Not Heating: Causes and Fixes.
Budgeting for a Kenmore Dryer Repair
Price the repair before replacing a Kenmore dryer. Published ranges for common jobs:
- Drum bearing replacement: $100–$250 Source: Fixr - How much does it cost to repair a dryer?
- Timer replacement: $150–$300 Source: Fixr - How much does it cost to repair a dryer?
- Control board (part only): $90–$280 Source: Angi - How Much Does Dryer Repair Cost?
- Door switch replacement: $50–$150 Source: Fixr - How much does it cost to repair a dryer?
- Dryer not heating (repair by symptom): $80–$420 Source: Angi - How Much Does Dryer Repair Cost?
- Technician labor: $50–$100 per hour Source: Angi - How Much Does Dryer Repair Cost?
If a repair would cost more than about half the price of a new dryer, replacing is usually the better choice. Source: Angi - How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Dryer?
Ranges are published estimates, not quotes. See the dryer repair cost guide and how long dryers last.
What to Have Ready for a Kenmore Dryer Call
- Whether the dryer is gas or electric
- How long the vent run is and where it exits the house
- The brand, model and serial number from the label inside the door or on the back panel
Around Madison
Most dryer calls in Madison come down to the same handful of parts: the vent and lint path, the heat source, the belt and rollers, and the door and start switches.
Wisconsin has no separate appliance repair license; plumbing licensing covers appliances connected to water supply systems, including water heaters, but exempts minor repairs to appliances and repair or replacement of gas or electrical control valves and devices. Source: DSPS: Plumbing License Laws in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, you can check a license with the Wisconsin DSPS LicensE credential lookup or report a problem to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), Bureau of Consumer Protection.
Before You Book in Madison
- If a part has to be ordered, how soon can you come back to finish?
- Can you give a written estimate before ordering parts?
- Will you check the vent and lint path as part of the visit?
Kenmore Dryer Repair FAQs: Madison, WI
Is my Kenmore dryer worth repairing?
Why does my Kenmore dryer show an error code?
Why does my dryer take so long to dry?
Is this Kenmore customer service?
Related Repair Pages for Madison
Kenmore Dryer Repair in Nearby Cities
Clean the lint screen, check the vent hood outside and note the model number before calling. It rules out the simple causes and speeds up a Kenmore repair.