A clothes dryer is such an essential appliance that it can be disruptive when it stops working. Fortunately, some dryer problems are easy to fix, especially if you’re comfortable with tools and multimeters, and know how a dryer works. Other times it’s best to call in an appliance repair technician.
Here are some common clothes dryer problems to troubleshoot:
Dryer Won’t Turn On
- Make sure the dryer is plugged in. The plug can become dislodged by something falling on it, or when the machine is moved around.
- If it’s plugged in and won’t turn on, test the electrical outlet with a multimeter.
- Check the circuit breaker if there’s no power to the outlet. Make sure both breakers for the electric dryer haven’t been thrown. Sometimes the breakers only move part way down so it’s best to turn them off and then back on. Verify that power is coming out of the breaker. If power is coming to the receptacle but not coming out, it’s likely that you need to change the receptacle. Call an electrician if you’re not comfortable working with electricity.
You Have Power to the Dryer, But Dryer Won’t Start
- Check the door switch. It prevents the dryer from starting if the door is open. Lint or other debris often builds up around the door gasket or switch, preventing the door from closing completely and engaging the switch. Clean the area with some rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab. The switch could also be faulty, in which case it needs to be replaced.
- If you have a push or rotary start knob, remove it, and clean any dirt or lint behind it. The start switch may be defective if the dryer still doesn’t start.
- Check the dryer’s internal thermal fuse. Depending on the model, the dryer often won’t start if this is blown, and you’ll need a new fuse. Check your owner’s manual to find the location of the fuse on your model.
- For electronically controlled dryers, the circuit board could be shorted out or defective. Call in a repairman.
Dryer Makes Noises or Vibrates
- Thumping sounds and vibrations can happen when the dryer isn’t level. Level the adjustable legs side to side first, then front to back.
- If you hear clicking or clanking sounds, look for small items such as paper clips, buttons, and coins left in the drum. Thin items such as coins can also slide under the baffles or paddles in some models and make noise as the drum rotates. You can clear these items out by removing the baffles. Small items may also end up in the exhaust vent and rattle around. Disconnect the vent and clean it out.
- Loud thumping can be caused by clothing that’s knotted or balled up and packed on one side of the drum. Remove these items, straighten them out, and reload them.
- A damaged or loose drive belt can produce a loud squealing sound. If it breaks, you’ll hear a loud thumping. A cracked, damaged, or worn drive belt needs to be replaced.
- Thumping noises can also be due to broken glides, which are small plastic pieces at the front of the drum. These eventually wear and break, causing excessive noise.
- A faulty blower wheel will produce a loud squealing or high-pitched noise when the wheel blades are bent, cracked, or worn out in certain areas. If objects or lint get inside a wheel, it will make a fast ticking, clicking, or buzzing sound. Clean out the wheel to see if the noise stops.
- The drum support rollers may be worn out, causing a loud rumbling noise. Inspect the rollers, and if one is worn out replace all at the same time.
Clothes Don’t Dry Properly
- If the dryer doesn’t get hot enough to dry your clothes, empty the lint filter, and clean the moisture sensors.
- Also ensure the dryer vent is clean, connected properly, and kink-free. Check for lint or debris blocking the outside vent, and make sure the ductwork is clean.
- If the blower wheel is damaged or worn out, hot air can’t circulate properly in the drum to dry your clothes.
Dryer Doesn’t Heat
- If the dryer won’t heat at all, the thermal fuse has probably tripped, and needs to be replaced.
- The heating element may also be defective.
- Electric dryers have two circuit breakers or fuses. The drum can still turn if one fuse is blown, but heat won’t be produced. To get heat, reset the circuit breakers or replace both fuses.
Dryer Runs Briefly Then Shuts Off
- This is usually a problem caused by the thermostat, thermistor, or thermal fuse. They turn off the dryer to prevent overheating. Use a multimeter to check them and replace them if not working properly.
- The heating element and timer might not be receiving power or may be defective. Test and replace if necessary.
Dryer Burns Clothes
- Your clothes and other items get burnt when a faulty cycling thermostat doesn’t cut off the heat when the dryer is too hot. Test it and replace it if broken.
- You may be using incorrect dryer settings. Certain fabrics, such as rayon and fleece, are highly flammable and prone to melting, and shouldn’t be put on high heat.
- Limited airflow prevents your dryer from discharging hot air, causing overheating and scorched clothes. Airflow becomes limited when the dryer is overloaded and clothes are blocking the heat from getting to the vent, when there’s a build-up of lint in the filter and exhaust vents, and when the exhaust system is set up improperly.
Drum Won’t Spin
- If the motor is running but the drum won’t spin, you might have a worn or broken drive belt, or the belt may be out of place and not being properly fed through the pulley assembly. Try moving the drum by hand. A working belt should provide some resistance. If it turns loosely, the belt is likely broken.
- If the pulley assembly is faulty, the belt may have slipped. Check to see if the pulleys are cracked, warped, worn, or missing. Also see if the pulley shaft is bent, rusted, or corroded.
- The drum support rollers may be worn. Test by removing the belt and turning the drum by hand. If it doesn’t turn easily, inspect the rollers for wear. You’ll need to replace all rollers at the same time if one or more won’t spin freely.
- When the dryer’s on and there’s a buzzing sound, or no sound, the motor could be seized. You may need a new one.
Some dryer fixes are simple, and some are not. When you need a pro, call the experts at C&W Appliance Service at (855) 358-1496 or (214) 358-1496 or contact us online.