The Dryer Won't Dry? Here's the Solution

The Dryer Won’t Dry? Here’s the Solution

Loading the dryer with damp clothes only to get them back equally damp when the cycle is over is certainly annoying. Yes, dryers can do that. And they may do it for all sorts of reasons. This lovely home appliance, which has become our savior when we cannot stand on our feet after an 8-hour shift and a few hours of cleaning, parenting, and tidying up, may turn against us too.

No, it’s not time to toss the appliance – at least, not yet. The solution to your top load dryer problem may be as simple as plugging it in. Whether it isn’t drying or won’t even start, there’s a reason and, pretty often, a solution. Want to see?

When was the last time you removed the dryer’s lint?

Did you check to see if there’s lint? Check your appliance’s lint trap in the door opening or on the top of the dryer, and remove lint – if any. Fabrics leave behind their mark – hair, lint, and all that is trapped by the appliance’s filter so that it won’t be blocked. Lint is the number one reason for dryer performance problems. It’s also the number one reason for dryer fires. Make it a habit to remove lint after every cycle to gain peace of mind, and avoid dryer problems due to over-accumulated lint.

Did you check the dryer’s vent?

Now, some fabric lint manages to escape and ends up in the appliance’s vents. Not good. And then, dust and debris build up overtime. When the vents clog, there’s no sufficient airflow in the dryer and the appliance will either fail to start or won’t dry. Plus, it’s dangerous. This problem may also cause a fire.

It’s important that the vents remain clean, free of debris and lint. You can disconnect the vent from the dryer and vacuum debris before you go outside and clean the exhaust hood too.

Is the vent of your dryer short or long? If it’s rather long, the dryer will take longer to dry. If its diameter is small, the drying time will be rather long too. These are also things to consider when you are wondering why the appliance takes long to dry.

Check the condition of the vents too. If they are kinked or damaged in any way, the airflow will be obstructed and if the air is not exhausted, the appliance will become dangerous.

Is it the dryer, or an electrical issue?

Is the appliance plugged in? Yes, you read right. Sometimes, the problem is as easy to solve as plugging the appliance in again. But sometimes, there might be a problem with the socket. There might be a problem with the circuit. When it comes to gas dryers, the valve may be closed. So, one thing you can do is to make sure all things work fine – then, blame the dryer.

Did you, by any chance, overload the dryer?

Check your manual to see how much load your dryer can take. If you overload it, the dryer will either not start or won’t dry – at least, not well. One more thing. Make sure the clothes are not soaked wet, but just damp – as they come out of the washing machine. Dryers are not designed to dry soaking wet fabrics. And don’t forget that soaked wet clothes weigh much more than damp clothes. Your dryer would think that you overloaded it and won’t start.

If nothing works, perhaps it’s time you called a dryer technician

If you try all of the above and nothing works, it’s best if you called a dryer technician. Even if you suspect that the failure of the appliance is caused by a problem with the power source, it’s best to call a technician. Look at it this way. If you have gone through all the common routes and haven’t resolved the problem, there might be a blown fuse or broken drive belt. Don’t do any guesswork with the appliance. In such cases, it’s always best to contact an appliance technician.