Most homeowners own their washer and dryer, whether it be an electric or gas clothes dryer. However, like any appliance, it may experience issues at some point. Clothes dryer troubleshooting could help save you money and a visit from a dryer repair service.
One of the best ways to prolong the life of your dryer is to hire professional dryer vent cleaning in GTA. However, you should use the following guide to see if it is an easy fix before calling a professional repair person or cleaning team.
Clothes Dryer Troubleshooting 101
Dryer Not Starting
- Check to see if the door is latched properly. As well, check that there is no lint on the latch. You can also use a drop of rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab to clean the latch area.
- Inspect the power supply to the dryer and circuit breakers and fuses.
- Check to see if the internal thermal fuse on the dryer is working.
- Make sure the start knob or button on your dryer is engaging properly. You can remove it and clean it to ensure that dirt and lint are not keeping it from engaging.
The Dryer is Making Funny Noises
- If the dryer is vibrating or making a thumping noise, it may not be level. Ensure each leg of the dryer is level from side to side and front to back.
- Another clothes dryer troubleshooting solution for a noisy dryer is that items such as buttons, coins, and so on might be stuck between the rear or front of the dryer and the drum. Inspect the drum using a flashlight and remove any foreign objects. Always inspect pockets on clothing before placing them in the dryer.
- Make sure the clothing is not balled up, knotted, or entangled. This could keep the dryer from working properly.
- It is normal to hear a clicking sound with a gas dryer, as this is the noise it makes when the gas valve opens and closes.
Clothes Are Taking Too Long to Dry
- Clean the lint filter, as this can reduce the airflow.
- Clean the outside exhaust vents, as clogged vents can cause moisture to build up. Ensure no leaves, snow, or other debris are blocking the outside vent. In addition, make sure the dryer vent duct tubing is clean and free of lint and other debris.
- Make sure you are not overloading the dryer. A dryer with too many clothes will not have even hot air distribution.
- Ensure the room is at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit as the clothes dryer will not work efficiently in a room below this temperature.
- Make sure the room is well-ventilated. There should be at least one inch of air space at the front of the dryer and five at the back. As well, make sure that the top and bottom of the dryer are ventilated.
- Ensure the dryer vent’s exhaust pipe is properly connected and free of kinks and debris.
Dryer Shuts Off Mid Cycle
- This usually indicates a problem with the thermal fuse, thermostat, or thermal resistor. Use a voltage meter to ensure that these parts work as they should. Replace them as needed.
The Dryer is Not Getting Hot
- If you have an eclectic clothes dryer, check to see if the circuit breakers and fuses are not blown or need to be reset.
- The unit may have a mechanical problem, or the internal fuse may have blown. The fuse is easy to replace as well as inexpensive. Consult the repair manual for your dryer for this easy fix.
- For a gas dryer, you first want to check the supply line valve to ensure it is fully open or will not function properly.
If you have tried all the above clothes dryer troubleshooting and are still having problems with your dryer, you may need professional dryer vent cleaning. This is the best way to ensure that your dryer is working properly and can also help prevent house fires due to clogged dryer vents.