How To

How to Troubleshoot Your Dryer

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(27 Ratings)

Don't wait around for a repairman to come and fix your dryer. Do a little troubleshooting on your own before you call.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  1. Step 1

    Make sure the cord is plugged in and that the breaker hasn't tripped.

  2. Step 2

    If drying time is too long, check the vent hose. Keep it as short as possible to lessen drying time.

  3. Step 3

    Remove some of the clothes if they are not drying properly. You may have overloaded the dryer. This problem may also be caused by rinsing the wash in cold water, a leaky door seal or a clogged filter or duct. Check into these problems.

  4. Step 4

    Replace the breaker (or fuse) if the dryer isn't heating up. Also make sure that you are using the heat cycle and not an air cycle.

  5. Step 5

    Look for loose objects inside the drum if the dryer is noisy. If that's not the problem, tighten all of the screws on the exterior panels and make sure the dryer is level. If it's a thumping sound you hear, you may need to replace a roller or drive belt.

Tips & Warnings
  • Remember that a dryer has two breakers ' one to control the heat and one that feeds the motor.
  • Turn off the power at the breaker before you work on the dryer or any other large appliance.

Comments  

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sue1947 said

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on 1/8/2009 I have a whirlpool dryer, and had the whirlpool repairman here to tell me everything checked out, but that I had a voltage problem. My tub turns, but does not heat up. Got an electrician who put in new breaker, and it worked for a few minutes. Now its blowing cold air again.

jerryo said

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on 11/19/2008 Kenmore gas dryer just comes on. Dryer load is done, no moisture, clothes dry. No matter what "OFF" setting I use, the dryer domes on after 5 minutes or so.

What's up?

Jerryo

heydj said

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on 10/20/2008 I have a Whirlpool dryer. I am trying to replace the driver moter(3976707), but I can not figure out how to remove the fan attached to it. Any ideals?

heydj said

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on 10/20/2008 I have a Whirlpool dryer. I am trying to replace the driver moter(3976707), but I can not figure out how to remove the fan attached to it. Any ideals?

striker48 said

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on 9/14/2008 thermal fuse,bad start switch or bad motor.

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