How to Recognize and Solve Common Dryer Issues

Your dryer does a lot of work for your home. It helps ensure you have fresh clothes to wear, blankets to sleep with, towels to dry yourself off, and more. But just like any appliance, they can stop working. A broken dryer leaves your family with wet clothes, frustration, and the potential need for dryer repair.

But before you call an expert for a repair, it's important to remember that dryer issues are not a one-size-fits-all situation. Dryer problems can be caused by a myriad of different issues. If your dryer is not performing as it should, perhaps the environment in its room is not conducive to the appliance. Or it could be that members of your family are using it too often and not providing it with the proper regular maintenance that it needs. Or maybe you need a dryer replacement part.

If you have a dryer in your home, it's important to spot any potential issues like these as early as possible. If you catch these problems too late, they could spin into larger issues that require you to purchase a new appliance. Or even worse, they could turn into serious safety issues that could put your family in harm's way.

In this article, we'll help you spot the signs of a dryer in distress and discuss what factors may be causing these problems. We'll share tips to stay safe and keep your dryer operating at peak performance. You'll walk away with a better understanding of how to operate and care for one of the most important appliances in your home.

How to Recognize the Signs of a Troubled Dryer

A properly functioning dryer should operate quietly, efficiently, and dry your clothes easily without noticeable issues. But when that no longer happens, that might indicate something is going on within your appliance. Catching issues sooner rather than later can save you money on bigger and more costly repairs. It can also keep you safe — because in a worst-case scenario, dryer malfunctions can lead to house fires.

One of the most obvious signs that something is going on with your dryer is the state of your load of clothes after running a cycle. If your clothes are drying inconsistently or taking much longer than normal to fully dry, there is likely an issue with your dryer.

Another common signal of a distressed dryer is excessive noise when it's being run. While a certain amount of sound is expected, banging, squealing, or rattling noises should be considered out of the ordinary. Overheating and unusual smells are something to look out for as well. If your dryer ever becomes unusually hot to the touch or starts to smell like something is burning, it is important to stop using the appliance right away.

Finally, there might be a few unexpected issues that might arise with a dryer. If your appliance ever randomly shuts off mid-cycle or if the drum stops spinning, that is a clear sign something is going with your appliance. But there is good news — if you catch any of these issues early enough, you might have a chance of fixing it before you have to purchase a new dryer.

Common Non-Mechanical Dryer Problems and How To Fix Them

If you notice one of the previously listed signs of a distressed dryer happening with your own appliance, it's time to do a little further investigation. Here are some of the most common dryer issues you might experience.

Power and Electrical Supply Issues

Dryer not turning on? That may be caused by a number of different power and supply issues. One of the first things you should do is to check the machine's power cord — make sure it's securely plugged into an outlet and that the cord does not exhibit any signs of damage. If the cord looks okay, plug another cord into the outlet to confirm that is not an issue. You should also take a look at the circuit breaker to ensure it hasn't tripped. If it has been tripped, try resetting it.

When your dryer is unplugged, you can also take a look at your dryer's terminal block. This is located on the back of the machine. As Sears Home Services says, "Follow the directions in the owner’s manual or installation guide to connect the power cord wires properly." If none of these troubleshooting tips work for you, it might point to a larger issue at hand, or that your dryer issues are caused by something else altogether.

Ventilation and Airflow Problems

Is your dryer running but clothes are not being properly dried all the way? That may point to an issue with ventilation and airflow within your machine. Sometimes, this might simply be caused by overloading the dryer. Other times, the lint filter itself is too full. That blocks the air from flowing and drying the clothes. Check the lint screen and clear any clogs.

But when a load of clothes in the dryer just won't dry, there could be more serious issues at play. As Sears Home Services says, "If the dryer won't heat, a bad heating element in an electric dryer could be the culprit. In a gas dryer, weak gas valve coils or lack of a gas supply can prevent the burner from heating."

Blockages within your machine aren't the only thing that may cause an airflow or ventilation issue. If your dryer is situated in a highly humid room, like a garage or basement, you may notice similar problems arise. As Dryer Vent Squad says, "humidity can make your dryer work harder to expel moist air, reducing its efficiency and increasing drying times."

High humidity levels can cause lint to clump together, leading to accumulation in your dryer vent hose and create potential blockages. It may also lead to an accumulation of moisture, which leads to mold. If you regularly clean your dryer out, you can mitigate these problems. But if they persist, you may need to move your dryer to a new location within your home.

Sensor and Control Glitches

If your dryer shuts off suddenly during a cycle, it could be caused by moisture sensor glitches within your appliance. If you run into this issue, your dyer's moisture sensor could be to blame.

As Sears Home Services says, "the moisture sensor detects dampness in tumbling clothes inside the dryer. If the moisture sensor is coated with deposits (often caused by dryer sheets), the sensor won’t detect moisture and the dryer will stop while clothes are still damp."

The good news is that you can troubleshoot this issue yourself. Open up your dryer and look for two thin metal strips inside, usually near the lint filter — that's the sensor. If it appears to be dirty, clean the bars with a soft cloth and a small amount of rubbing alcohol to remove any residue. If cleaning it off doesn't solve the issue, you may have to call a professional.

Everyday Dryer Safety Tips to Remember

Dyers are a staple in every home. But if you don't handle these machines properly, there can be some major downsides. If you let moisture accumulate within your appliance, this can lead to a build up of mold. Thousands of dryer fires happen across the U.S. every year. These issues and more can have potentially dangerous and costly consequences for your family and also lead to property damage. Here are some tips to ensure you handle your dryer safely and correctly with every use.

Check That Your Appliance is Properly Grounded

A grounded dryer has a secure connection with the ground, letting any extra electrical current to flow safely. Properly grounding your clothes dryer is essential in preventing problems that could lead to a fire hazard or giving any user an electrical shock. In addition, make sure the area around your dryer is clear with no flammable items, such as cleaning supplies, around it. If you're unable to confirm if your dryer is firmly grounded, contact an experienced electrician to check for you.

Lay Flammable Clothes Outside to Dry

If your job or a household project requires you to work with concentrated solutions or dangerous materials, never put them in the dryer. As Good Morning Wilton says, "If your clothes have been in contact with volatile chemicals such as gasoline, cleaning products, or paint thinner, lay them outside to dry before washing and drying them as usual. This process helps eliminate any residual flammable substance before the clothes are exposed to the high heat generated by the dryer."

Keep Your Lint Trap Clean

The lint trap is an essential part of your dryer. It's designed to catch lint from your load of clothes to prevent it from accumulating in the venting system. Without this feature, lint can build up in the dryer vent hose and ductwork and turn into an extremely dangerous fire hazard.

However, your lint trap is a bit of a double-edged sword. Keeping your lint trap clean is also crucial for fire safety, as a clogged filter can restrict airflow, cause the machine to overheat, and potentially catch fire. Before you start a load, always make sure to clean out your lint filter and check the drum for excess lint. You can also purchase a dryer lint alarm that will notify you if your lint trap is dangerously full and needs to be emptied right away.

Use the Right Venting Material

This prevents your dryer catching on fire and ensures proper airflow and drying time. As Good Morning Wilton says, "it’s best to use rigid or flexible metal venting material for your dryer, as it is less likely to collapse or get damaged during use, reducing the risk of fire." Make sure you do not use plastic or foil venting materials, as they damage easily. Make sure to get your venting system regularly inspected and replace any worn or damaged components.

Make Sure Your Dryer Has Proper Air Exhaust

It's crucial to confirm your dryer vent is ventilated correctly. You can do this checking that the air exhaust vent pipe is clear and unobstructed and that the outdoor vent flap opens when the dryer is in use. As Good Morning Wilton says, a blocked vent causes your dryer to overheat, increasing the chances of a fire. Take note — if your clothes take longer than usual to dry, it may be a sign that the vent pipe needs to be cleaned right away.

Never Overload Your Clothes Dryer

We've all procrastinated on laundry and stuffed a few too many clothing items into the machine to save time. However, that strategy may backfire. However, overloading your appliance can compromise the dryer's efficiency. It can also obstruct its circulation, cause the dryer to overheat, and lead to a fire. Finally, overloading the dryer can damage the motor and cause it to wear out faster.

Review the Manufacturer’s Operating Instructions

This might seem silly, but make sure to keep the dryer manufacturer's owner manual in a safe place. It can be a great place to start if your machine ever malfunctions. The manual will offer valuable guidance on using and maintaining the dryer safely to prevent hazards like fires and other costly issues.

TL;DR Why Dryer Care Matters

Your dryer plays a crucial role in keeping your home running smoothly. Taking care of it doesn’t have to be complicated. If you pay attention to the early warning signs and understand what might be causing performance issues, you can protect your machine, your wallet, and your family. Keeping up with safe habits and routine care helps your dryer work the way it should and lowers the chance of costly repairs or safety risks.

But if you can’t solve the issue on your own, feel free to call the experts at McComb’s Supply. We offer replacement parts for a variety of different dryer brands and models. We are constantly upgrading our cutting-edge technology to serve our customers better. Our team is committed to providing you with quality products, great customer service, fast shipping, and competitive prices.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions about your dryer. We are committed to providing our customers total satisfaction, every time guaranteed.