2006-09-02 03:44:46 · 18 answers · asked by naty 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
Many different reasons. My experience is that they aren't built to last long.
2006-09-04 16:09:59 · answer #1 · answered by DivaDynamite 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It could be any of a number of things. It might be an electrical problem. Check the plug and make sure it's properly plugged in, and that there are no broken wires. Then check the heating element. There are usually two heaters in a dryer (that's how you get high and low heat settings) and one or both of them may be burned out. It is unusual for both of them to burn out at the same time, however. Usually one goes first, and you find the laundry isn't quite as dry as it should be at the time you set it for. However, if you didn't notice that, it could still be burned out elements. They can be replaced fairly inexpensively.
The problem could also be with the drum. There is a belt -- like the fan belt in a car -- that rotates the drum. If the belt is loose or broken, the drum won't rotate. Or there could be a problem with the axle. It is normally shaped to a small point, and sometimes the point will break or the axle will jam and the drum won't rotate.
These are some of the things that could be causing the problem. If your dryer is quite old, it may cost more to service than it is worth, and you may be looking at a new one. If the dryer is quite new, check out the above problem areas to see if a service call will get it back in order.
A dryer is a pretty simple piece of machinery, and usually can be repaired quite easily unless the machine is so old that the parts are obsolete.
2006-09-02 08:44:57 · answer #2 · answered by old lady 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
is it not heating?
Fixing yourself is worth it - having a repair man do it may not be worth it.
If this is the problem - then the heating coil has gone out. My husband and I actually replaced the heating coil in our dryer about 2 years ago. It was not that complicated. Go online look up maintenance and repair on your make and model of dryer. You should be able to find directions for replacing the heating coil. Then you need to find a place in your area that sales dryer parts - sometimes business that do repair on washers and dryers also sale dryer parts - or you can probably orer the part online.
2006-09-02 04:29:38 · answer #3 · answered by T W 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I assume clothing dryer not hair dryer. Does it turn on and rotate but nothing gets dry? That could be a problem with electric for the heater (even if a single phase is OK to run the motor both are needed for heater). If electric is OK it could be a thermostat is bad or heating element is open. If no electric that's your problem there. Dryers use high voltage so they are a dangerous thing to try to take apart and fix if you are not experienced and careful.
2006-09-02 03:50:58 · answer #4 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If it's gas dryer and the tumbler turns but does not dry it may be the gas igniter that's broken. This part is very fragile and easily breaks if the dryer is jostled or moved. Open the inspection door and see if there is a bright glow when you turn the dryer on. No glow, bad igniter,.
2006-09-02 04:00:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Pull it out from the wall; check the exit vent and tube; also (very important) look in the back the the dryer to see if there is lint built up in the dryer. Use a vacuum to clean around the lint trap. If it is thoroughly clean & still doesn't work, then call a repairman.
2006-09-02 03:56:17 · answer #6 · answered by Taffy Saltwater 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Sometimes it's merely the heating element and can be easily, and fairly inexpensively, repaired. Talk to a certified repairman for your brand of dryer before throwing it out. I've had to have heating elements fixed before. Sometimes it's just an off balanced drum from heating too many clothes at once. Only a repairman can say for sure.
2006-09-02 03:50:35 · answer #7 · answered by Voice 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Is the dryer plugged in?
Is the circuit breaker tripped?
Are the clothes tumbling but not drying?
If gas dryer,
is the gas turned on?
is the burner lit?
is the burner fully lighting?
If electric,
is the heater element disconnected? [sometimes they rattle loose]
is the heater element burnt out?
Are the clothes tumbling but it takes forever for the clothes to dry?
The exhaust tube could be blocked [bird nest, too much lint, swing-door outside house blocked by fallen tree ranch or weeds or something else.
2006-09-02 03:58:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
mine shuts off all the time, it's kinda a pain but all i need to do is press the reset button on the socket that the machine is plugged into. try that before you spend money on getting it fixed, could work.
2006-09-02 03:56:26 · answer #9 · answered by hey_finny 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
is it plugged in ? if so the coil is probably burned out, the belt is broke or it could just be getting old.
2006-09-02 04:00:50 · answer #10 · answered by susieq 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋