There’s nothing quite so annoying as doing a load of laundry only for it to still be damp or even as wet as you put it in when the dryer claims it’s done. Your dryer not drying doesn’t automatically mean it’s time to replace it, thankfully. Here are some potential reasons why your clothes aren’t dry when they come out of the dryer.
9 Common Causes Of Your Dryer Not Drying
There are many potential reasons for a dryer not drying your clothes properly, or at all. Some are more common and basic and easily fixed than others. If you find your dryer not drying your laundry, you may be able to fix it yourself, or you may need to call a technician to come out and fix it for you, depending on the nature of the problem. Some of the common causes that could be behind your dryer not drying are as follows:
It Isn’t Plugged In
The most basic of potential reasons why your dryer isn’t drying: it isn’t plugged in, or isn’t plugged in all the way. Dryers take a lot of power to run properly, so you want to ensure that they are both plugged in properly and that they have an adequate power supply.
It’s Overloaded
It can be tempting to just shove all of our laundry into one load to minimize our work, but your washer and dryer can only hold so much at much. Overloading your washer and dryer will end up creating more work for you rather than saving time. It’s a good rule of thumb to only fill your dryer up 2/3rds of the way, so that the dryer can actually dry your laundry.
You’ll want to check your specific dryer’s manufacturer’s instructions in order to see what the recommended maximum loads are for it, to ensure you don’t overload it.
The Air Vents Are Clogged
Your dryer not drying could be a result of clogged air vents. Your dryer needs good airflow in order to get warm air to dry your clothes and let steam out. Cleaning your air vent will both ensure that you have good airflow and help you prevent dryer fires.
Dryer filter, dirty and needs to be cleaned, clothes dust has gathered in one place
The Lint Trap Needs To Be Cleaned
As the previous point states, good air flow is essential, unless you want to deal with your dryer not drying. A lint trap in need of cleaning can hinder your dryer’s air flow. It’s a good idea to make cleaning it after every use a habit.
Your Clothes Are Too Wet
Your dryer is meant to dry your clothes, yes, but if you put them in while they are sopping wet, your dryer can’t dry them in one cycle. You’ll want to work with your washer to make sure it’s set to the right spin cycle so that you can move your clothes from your washer to your dryer without them being too wet for your dryer to dry in one cycle.
The Heating Element Isn’t Working
As it sounds, your heating element is what controls the heat in your dryer. If you find yourself with a dryer not drying your laundry, it could be that your heating element has worn out. Proper maintenance will help it last as long as possible, but nothing lasts forever. Your technician will be able to tell you whether you need it replaced or not.
A man taking laundry out of a clothes dryer.
The Thermal Fuse Needs To Be Replaced
Your thermal fuse keeps your dryer from overheating. If your thermal fuse needs to be replaced, your dryer will likely overheat and then your heating element won’t be able to get hot air into the drum.
Your Loads Are Uneven
Different types of fabrics require different settings in order to dry properly. If you put towels in with t-shirts, this can leave you with shirts that are too dry and towels that are still damp.
The Drive Belt Needs To Be Replaced
The drive belt is what lets your clothes tumble around so that they can be dried by spinning the drum. If you’re struggling with your dryer not drying, you may need to replace your drive belt so that your dryer can operate properly.
Is Your Dryer Not Drying?
These are but 9 of the common reasons why your dryer isn’t drying. There are many other potential causes for why it isn’t running as it should. When in doubt, it’s always a good idea to contact a professional to keep your dryer in good condition for as long as possible. VanderDoes Home Services offers exceptional washer and dryer repair services. Dryer not drying? We can help! Contact us today to learn more about why your dryer isn’t drying and whether or not you’ll need dryer repair services.
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