How to Troubleshoot a Dryer That Is Not Hot
Clothes dryers are consist of two main parts: a heater and a rotating drum. Heated air passes through wet clothing as it tumbles. The moisture from the wet clothing is blown out of the dryer through the exhaust hose, leaving the clothes warm and dry. When your dryer fails to produce enough heat, it loses most of its ability to dry clothing. Troubleshooting the problem is not difficult but it must be done methodically and with a good knowledge of the possible causes. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Check your electrical wall outlet to make sure your dryer is plugged in. If the unit is not getting electrical current, it will fail to heat or operate in any way. Move to your home circuit breaker or fuse box. Check that all the breakers are in the on position and that no fuses have blown. Reset the breakers and replace any bad fuses. If there has been a blackout or some other form of power service issue, your machine may not be receiving the necessary current to create heat.
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Inspect the dryer controls. Some settings, such as "Air Dry," do not use heat to dry. Change your dryer setting to one that produces heat and test the dryer again.
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Check that the wall-mounted gas valve behind the dryer is in the on position. If the line has been turned off, the machine will not have any fuel with which to create heat. If the valve is off, turn it counterclockwise to open the flow of gas. If your gas supply has been cut by your local utility or if your home gas tank is empty, your dryer will also fail to create heat.
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Inspect your dryer exhaust vent for lint or other blockages. If the vent is clogged, the machine will not be able to dispose of moisture and the heating function of the dryer may be affected. Use a screwdriver to remove the clamp that holds the dryer exhaust hose to the rear of the machine. Look inside the hose for lint and blockages. Use your hand to remove any blockages and return the hose to its original position.
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Tips & Warnings
Overloading your dryer with too many wet clothes all at once can reduce its ability to dry properly.
Never remove or otherwise tamper with the gas line that leads to the rear of the dryer. Natural gas is flammable and explosive and should be dealt with only by a licensed plumber or the local gas company. If you smell gas, call the gas company immediately.
References
- Photo Credit Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images
