A dryer is crucial in most households, particularly where inclement weather makes outdoor drying impossible. Unfortunately, there are a number of reasons why a dryer may malfunction, which can allow laundry to start to stack up inside your home. So, here we’ll explore some common reasons for dryer problems and how you can resolve them.
The first thing to check if your dryer has no power is if it is plugged in. Before you start any troubleshooting, make sure to check that the plug has not become dislodged or loose. Someone in your household may have inadvertently unplugged the dryer to use the outlet for something else and forgotten to plug it back in.
You may also have no power to your dryer if the appliance has tripped the breaker. You’ll need to open up the electrical panel and look for a breaker not aligned with the others. Bear in mind that electric dryers require two circuits to run, one for powering the heating element and the other to run the remainder of the electrical components. But, if only one of the circuit breakers has tripped, your dryer won’t work. So, check the breakers and flip the unaligned breaker switch back on.
Dryers can only efficiently operate when there is adequate airflow, allowing hot air generated by the appliance to properly vent. If the vent is in any way restricted, the appliance will not be able to properly dry your clothing.
You’ll need to check your dryer for clogged vents, damaged or crushed vent hoses or even an incorrectly installed hose. If your dryer has white plastic tubing, consider upgrading to aluminum, as the plastic tubing tends to be cheap and prone to damage.
Lint is one of the leading causes of malfunctioning dryers and even if you clean the filter after every cycle, the trap may still be blocked. Any lint that is not caught by the screen may accumulate in the dryer housing and vent hoses, which will prevent efficient drying.
Periodically, you should remove the dryer lint screen and remove any lint build up. You can use your hand or your vacuum cleaner to clear the dryer’s interior of any lint that could be lingering inside the appliance.
If your exhaust vents are clogged, it can lead to subpar drying as the dryer will be unable to dispel the hot, moist air. This increases the time the appliance needs to dry your clothing. Check the exhaust vent and if the air leaving is cold and slow moving, you’re likely due for a thorough vent cleaning. You can do this by detaching the vent hose and shaking it out. But, you will need to consult a repair professional for a proper exhaust vent cleaning.
If you put too many items in your dryer during one cycle, it can increase drying times. In addition to preventing sufficient airflow and trapping humidity, overloading the drum can put strain on the motor, drive belt, and other components. If you’re unsure about the load capacity of your dryer, consult your owner’s manual. You may also need to take out part of the laundry load and restart the drying cycle.
If your dryer drum is not turning properly during a cycle, it is likely that the drive belt is damaged or dislodged. To check this, you will need to consult your owner’s manual, as you will need to open the dryer and verify the condition and position of the belt. If the best looks damaged, you will need to arrange a replacement.
Electric dryers have a heating element that warms up the air inside the appliance. Unfortunately, heating elements do not last forever and after years of prolonged use, they can malfunction. If your heating element is damaged, the dryer will not properly dry your clothes. You will need to consult a repair professional to replace a failed heating element.
The blower wheel directs airflow through the dryer. If the wheel is vibrating or making rattling sounds, it is due for a replacement. While a DIY repair is possible, it is best to leave diagnosis and replacement of your blower wheel to the professionals.
Dryers contain fuses that can blow due to age or excessive temperatures. Just like with your car, if the fuse blows, that particular component will not operate. A failed thermal fuse on your dryer will prevent the appliance from turning on. You can test the continuity of your thermal fuse, but since this is an affordable component, it is best to have your dryer repair professional simply replace it.
The motor is the heart of your dryer and if your dryer’s motor is malfunctioning or broken, it can create a variety of issues including clothing not drying. Even if the motor is receiving power, if it has stopped functioning, it may pause the drying process. If your dryer is heating up but the drum is not spinning, you may need to have the motor replaced.
If the motor is the heart of your dryer, the control panel is its brain. If you can’t select a cycle, adjust the temperature or set a timer, you will have difficulty using your dryer. Depending on the underlying fault, your appliance repair technician may be able to repair specific panel components or the entire panel may need to be replaced.
Most dryer models have a safety feature built in that will not allow them to operate if the door is not properly closed. Unfortunately, if you have a faulty latch, your dryer may not recognize that the door is closed, which will prevent the motor from running. You should unplug your dryer and remove the latch from the top panel. You can then test it using a multimeter. It is also a good idea to consult your owner’s manual to ensure that the child lock is engaged.
If the door latch is not faulty, you may have a problem with your start switch, which will need replacing.
The problem with your dryer, may not actually be the dryer, but rather that your clothing is excessively wet. Dryers are not designed to dry sopping wet items, so the problem could actually be with your washing machine. You may need to adjust the spin cycle or washing machine settings to reduce the moisture in your clothing before you put them in your dryer.
While we’ve covered some common dryer issues, you may still have some queries, so here are some answers to frequently asked dryer questions.
The fix for a faulty dryer will depend on the underlying issue or malfunction. It could be something as simple as cleaning the lint trap or vents, but you may need a replacement component. It is a good idea to consult your owner’s manual and work through the troubleshooting above, but if you’re still having issues, be sure to speak to a repair technician.
There are a number of reasons why your clothing may still feel damp after a drying cycle. You may have clothing that was excessively wet or you’ve overloaded the drum, which has not allowed sufficient drying time in the cycle. On the other hand, the problem could be a blocked exhaust vent that is preventing the hot, moist air from escaping, which will allow the clothing to reabsorb moisture. Go through the points above to try to find an underlying cause before consulting a repair technician.
If your dryer is actually running, but not producing any heat, you may have a clogged vent. This will trap cold, wet air inside the dryer, lowering the unit’s temperature and compromising the drying ability. The issue could also be a broken heating element, which will prevent the dryer from producing hot air.
Check the vents for accumulation of lint and if the duct is clear, you’ll need to call in a professional to diagnose the underlying problem.
If your clothing is not completely dry after one cycle, you could have an issue with the heating element or ventilation. But, the problem could be something as simple as overloading the dryer. Consult your owner’s manual to check the maximum load and make sure that you’re not exceeding this with each load.
It can be remarkably inconvenient if your dryer is not operating correctly, but it is not necessarily a costly problem. With some basic troubleshooting, you may be able to diagnose and resolve the issue yourself. But, if you don’t have confidence in your DIY skills, it is a good idea to consult a professional repair technician who can check for underlying issues and recommend whether it is more economical to repair or replace your dryer.