Why doesn't my clothes dryer work properly?

Question

We recently moved. We hooked up the dryer and now it doesn't heat up the way it used to in the old place. I usually have to run the clothes through twice in order for them to dry all the way through.

Answer 1

As most of the responders have suggested, the vent is probably blocked. Remove the vent from the rear of the dryer and dry a load without the vent connected. If it drys within 45 minutes or so(in the first attempt) your vent is defiantly the problem. If it still is not drying properly then there is a problem with the dryer.

Answer 2

If you have gone through three dryers you probably have a problem with the vent. It is blocked, kinked or simply too long of a run. All three will lead to inefficient performance of any dryer. A less common possibility is the electrical wiring. Some dryers use one leg of the 220 circuit for the drum and the other leg for the heating element. If the double breaker is bad or there is an open in one leg of the circuit the dryer won't heat. The possibility of there being just a bad element is pretty well ruled out if three units all act the same.

Answer 3

The dryer vent could be clogged with lint. If the vent to the outside is accessible try to look in it or feel around in it. If there is a bend in the vent line lint can build up and cause your cloths to not dry. This can also be bit of a fire hazard if left unchecked. You can also go outside where it vents and check it there. If your dryer worked properly at your old house this is the most likely cause.

Answer 4

Yes, the appliance repair guy is right. Your vent probably has wads of lint (or even small clothes) stuck in the system somewhere between your dryer and the outlet outside. Take the vent hose off the back of the dryer and make sure it's clean.... then clean out the vent where the hose connects to the house, and also where the house vents outside. Once this path is clear, your dryer will work like new.

Answer 5

Could the vent be stopped up with lint? I would have the wiring checked, perhaps there are not enough amps going into the dryer. You don't say if it is electric or gas. I take it to be electric. However if it is gas, is your dryer on propane or natural gas. These are just rough ideas of what could be wrong. One more thing, is your washer spinning the clothes good and dry? And a final idea, is your washer & dryer level?

Answer 6

check the exhaust hose. It may be full of old lint and blocking exhaust. Likewise, check the outside vent to make sure hot air from the dryer is being vented outside. If not this could mean the exhaust tubing is blocked. I recently removed a birds nest from my exhaust tubing!
If the dryer doesn;t heat up-it could be the heating element. THis can be replaced by a service person for about $125.

Answer 7

Check the vent for the dryer which should exit to the outside of the home. Many times it is full of lint from the old owner. I have seen them completely clogged. Hope this helps.

Answer 8

you could have accidental broken one of the heater coils, but, the exhaust could be stopped up. pull the dryer out from the wall turn it on and feel of the air coming out the back. it should be hot and blowing like a hand dryer. If it is blowing, but, not hot, take the back panel off and look for a broken wire. If it is blowing and hot, then check the exhaust pipe running to the outside

Answer 9

Get a Volt Meter and check the Voltage at the Plug. It should read 230 volts +/- AC. when you test the Ground to either side you will get 120 volts +/- AC. If you not get 230 across the two main plug holes your Breaker or the Receptacle may be bad.

Answer 10

you need to check the dryer vent comming out of the back of the dryer. clean out the lint then clean the lint filter. if that does not work call the repairman.