Tumble dryers might not be among the most important appliances in the home, but they are indeed very useful. Today, more and more people are turning to dryers to get their laundry dried, and, certainly, the number of users will only keep growing. However, it’s not uncommon to see this home equipment malfunction occasionally. Luckily, you don’t have to call a technician every time your dryer fails. There are many problems that you can correct yourself. Simple knowledge of common tumble dryer issues and their solutions may be all that’s needed to save you money and time. This post breaks down how to troubleshoot dryers and fix common problems.
Common dryer problems and their solutions
Below are some of the problems you may encounter while using your dryer:
- Dryer fails to start
If your dryer fails to start, the first thing to check is the power source. Confirm that you’ve plugged it in properly. If you did, then make sure the circuit breaker is intact. Also, check the fuses. If the breaker is tripped, flip it back on. If the fuse on the plug is burnt out, replace it. However, if the power source is OK, check the dryer’s fuse and also the start button. Confirm from the back panel that the start button is appropriately engaged. If the fuse is in place and the start button is engaged correctly, then the only thing left is the door latch. Remove any lint in the latch and clean it to make the door close properly.
- Dryer suddenly stops after starting properly
If your dryer suddenly stops working in the middle of a drying cycle, then the power was probably cut off by a protection mechanism. The first things to check are the fuses. If every fuse is in working order and the circuit breaker isn’t tripped, check the thermostat and the thermal resistor. You can use a multimeter to check if all these are working correctly.
- Dryer won’t stop once you open the door
Opening the door should automatically stop the dryer, but if it fails to stop, then check the door switch to confirm it’s intact. A failing timer or start button may also be the cause. Confirm that all these are working properly.
- Dryer makes too much noise
You should be accustomed to the sound produced by your dryer when it’s working. If it makes abnormal noise, then something may be wrong. Check if your dryer is standing level on the floor. If not, adjust the balancing of your machine, but if it is balanced perfectly, then it may be that you have a loose object inside the drum. Check to confirm coins, keys or any other noise-producing objects haven’t been accidentally loaded into the dryer. Remove all the clothes and check the drum properly and reload the dryer, checking each item carefully before reloading them. The dryer can also make unusual noise if a roller or belt has failed. Check these and also check the idler pulley.
- Dryer dries too slowly
The most likely problem here is that something is stopping the dryer from circulating damp air. There may be a clogged vent, so clean the vent. It could also be a result of lint build-up. Check the lint filter and clean it if necessary. Also, ensure you didn’t overload the dryer. You may need to remove some of the clothes to allow air to circulate properly.
- Dryer not heating up
This could be due to a blown fuse or a failed heating component. Check the internal fuses to be sure all of them are fine. If one fuse has blown and the other is working, your dryer will start but won’t heat up. Also, if the thermostat or thermal resistor failed, there will be no heat. You can detect a blown fuse easily by doing a physical examination, while you can use a multimeter to check if the thermostat and the thermal resistor are functioning correctly.
- Clothes don’t dry
If you’ve completed an automatic cycle, but the clothes are still damp, then it may be that the moisture sensor is failing, or it doesn’t connect properly with the clothes. Try to clean the sensors with cotton wool dampened with surgical spirit. The load may also be too small for the sensors to work effectively. If you’re only drying a couple of items, avoid using an automatic drying cycle, use timed drying instead.
- Dryer doesn’t spin
You can see that your dryer is powered, but it doesn’t move, or it doesn’t spin properly. This is usually caused by a failing belt. It could also be as a result of a failed idler pulley or glide. Check all of these. If the belt is broken, you can remove it, order a new one and replace it. Note that it’s essential to take photos of your dryer before you remove any component so that when you want to replace it, you’ll know exactly where it was positioned before you removed the part. A problem with spinning could also be due to the motor; although, that’s not a very likely cause.
The take-away
You don’t have to call out a technician each time your dryer has a problem. Most of the time, you’ll be able to fix it yourself. All you need to do is work out the likely cause and correct it. Common problems that can arise when using a tumble dryer include failure to start or stop, a slow rate of drying or the dryer failing to heat up. Your dryer may also make a strange noise or struggle to spin.
In any case, make sure you take a photo of the layout of your dryer part and position before you remove it for fixing or replacement. If you need to clean any part of your dryer, do so with a cotton swab moistened with surgical spirit and, if you need to order any component, ensure you order from a place where you can trust the quality of their product.
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