Why Is My Dryer Not Drying?
If your dryer is not drying clothes anymore, the problem could be caused by various issues, including a power issue, broken switch or belt, or even lint accumulation. Most people don’t want to wait for clothes to line dry, and few have time to tinker with a malfunctioning dryer. This troubleshooting guide will help you pinpoint the reason your dryer is not working so you can get back to your busy schedule.
For reliable assistance with your dryer that’s not drying clothes, schedule service with your local Mr. Appliance.
Troubleshooting Guide for Dryer Not Drying Clothes
There are many possible causes for a dryer not drying. Some of the problems are preventable with routine maintenance, and some can be resolved by the average homeowner. When your dryer refuses to dry your clothes anymore, try these troubleshooting tips to see which problem is the culprit.
- Unplugged Dryer
We have to ask: Did the dryer somehow become unplugged? Have a look before you continue to the other tips. - Lint Accumulation
Lint is the leading cause of a dryer not working. If you clean your lint screen after every dryer cycle, you’re on the right track. Unfortunately, your lint screen doesn’t catch all the lint. Some of it blows into your dryer housing and vent hose, preventing the dryer from drying clothes as efficiently as it used to. To resolve this issue, detach the vent hose and shake it out. Use a vacuum attachment to clear lint from the lint trap. More often than not, these simple steps will fix a dryer not drying clothes.
Mr. Appliance recommends having your dryer vent thoroughly cleaned at least once a year. Learn more about the benefits of our professional dryer vent cleaning service here.
- Tripped Circuit Breaker
Electric dryers need two circuits to run; one powers the heating element, and the other runs the rest of the components. Depending on how your electrical panel is wired, it could be possible that only one of your dryer’s circuit breakers has tripped. Open your electrical panel and look for a tripped breaker. If one switch is not aligned with the rest, flip the switch back over, and see if that gets your dryer going again. - Broken Drive Belt
Press the dryer door button so the dryer “thinks” the door is closed, and then start a cycle. If the drum doesn’t turn, your drive belt is probably broken or has become dislodged. The only way to positively diagnose a drive belt issue is to open the dryer housing. Follow the instructions in your owner’s manual to open the dryer, and then look for a long, thin rubber belt; it should be wrapped around the drum. If the belt looks damaged or won’t turn the drum, you will need to get it replaced. This is a dryer repair service that Mr. Appliance technicians perform often. - Blown Internal Fuse
Just like your car, dryers have fuses that can go bad. Your dryer owner’s manual should show you where the fuses are located. Remove the fuse, and test it with a multimeter. A bad fuse must be replaced. The good news is that dryer fuses are affordable, somewhat easy to replace, and widely available at most hardware stores. - Failing Heating Element
Electric dryers use a heating element to warm up the air inside the dryer. After several years of use, heating elements can go bad. To diagnose a failing heating element, you will need to remove it from the dryer housing and test it for continuity with a multimeter. For best results, failing heating elements should be replaced by an appliance repair technician. Ask your local Mr. Appliance to do this job. - Defective Door Switch or Start Switch
If the door latch or switch isn’t telling the dryer that the door is closed, the motor will not run. To check if this is the case, unplug the unit, remove the door switch from under the top panel, and test it with a multimeter. Similarly, the start switch may be broken. You can test it with a multimeter in the same way.
Why Is Your Dryer Not Drying? Mr. Appliance Can Find Out, and Fix It Fast
When your dryer’s not drying and you don’t know what’s wrong, don’t look too sadly at your pile of wet clothes to deal with. You can count on Mr. Appliance to fix the problem. For speedy, expert help with your busted dryer, call your local Mr. Appliance at (888) 998-2011 or schedule an appointment online.