Troubleshooting clothes dryers that are not working correctly can be a frustrating process because dryers have so many components. It can be difficult to narrow down the cause of your problem. You want to know how to fix your dryer because it saves you from a lot of extra inconvenience, such as hanging all your laundry on the line. Plus, modern clothes dryers come with cycles to accommodate every item of clothing you own, from delicate lingerie to heavy-duty work clothes. Check out this guide for troubleshooting dryers.
Dryer Does Not Heat
If you own an electric dryer, check to see if you flipped a circuit breaker or blew a fuse. Another reason for no heat in your dryer could be due to a blown thermal fuse inside the machine. This is a fairly easy and inexpensive part to replace. Check your user manual for more information about the thermal fuse.
If you own a gas dryer, make sure the gas supply valve is open.
Dryer Does Not Start
There could be a number of reasons for your dryer not starting. First, make sure it is plugged in. Next, check the door latch. If the door is not latching properly due to excess lint or dirt, clean it off and try again. If that isn't the problem, check for failed dryer parts, such as the dryer's thermal fuse. If your dryer uses a push button to start, you can try removing the button, cleaning underneath it, and putting it back on. Sometimes, a broken push button can be the cause of the problem. If your dryer has an electronic control board, it could be a broken circuit, which is best left to a professional to fix.
Clothes Take a Long Time to Dry
Troubleshooting dryers that seem to take forever to dry? Check the lint filter. Dryers need good air flow, so it is necessary to clean the lint filter regularly. Next, check the outdoor exhaust vent. It could be full of lint or not opening properly, also reducing air flow. Check the dryer vent exhaust pipe, making sure it is connected well and has no kinks in it. Make sure there is enough ventilation space surrounding your dryer.
You can also try putting less clothes into the dryer. An overloaded dryer won't work as effectively.
If your small loads are not getting dry, try running them on a timed dry cycle instead of automatic. If the load is small, the moisture sensor inside the dryer may not react properly.
Dryer Makes Strange Noises
Thumping sounds could indicate your dryer is not level. Most dryers come with adjustable legs.
Loud thumping noises inside the dryer could result from your clothes getting bunched together into a ball. Try stopping the dryer, shaking out your clothes, and trying again.
If you have loose change or small items that fell out of pockets inside your dryer, they may be bouncing around and making strange noises. Use a flashlight to look for them when the dryer is stopped.
Squeaking and squealing noises may mean your dryer's idler pulley assembly is broken.
Need a New Clothes Dryer?
Although it's often possible to fix your dryer that is not working correctly, some problems require major repairs and may not be worth the money and time. In that case, check out Appliances Connection's large selection of dryers.
Related Questions
Do you have to empty water from a ventless dryer?
Ventless dryers use a heat exchanger to cool hot air and condense moisture, which is collected in a tray or passed down into a drain. If the moisture is collected in a tray, then yes, you do need to empty it when it gets full.
What are the symptoms of a clogged dryer vent?
Your dryer vent may be clogged if your clothes take a long time to dry, your dryer smells like it is burning, your clothes are very hot at the end of a cycle, or you know you have not cleaned out your vent in a long time. Inspect your vent from the outside, and see if you can see lint hanging out of it. Clean out the dryer vent regularly to prevent fires and other damage.