Oven Convection Fan Not Working? 6 Causes and What to Do
A convection fan that will not spin is usually a failed fan motor, a seized blade, a door switch or a relay on the control board. Here is how to narrow it down.
Read the guideWhy is my dryer taking so long to dry?
The most common cause is a clogged or crushed dryer vent. Other causes are a dirty lint screen, an overloaded drum, clothes that come out of the washer too wet, a dirty moisture sensor, a weak heating element on an electric dryer, or worn gas valve coils on a gas dryer. Check the vent first, since it is the most common cause and the most important for safety.
Unplug the dryer before you move it or take off any part. On a gas dryer, turn off the gas valve too.
What are the 7 most common causes?
1. A clogged or crushed vent
Hot, wet air has to leave the dryer through the vent. If lint builds up, or the foil hose is crushed behind the dryer, the air stays in and the clothes stay damp. Long vent runs in condos and townhomes clog faster.
2. A dirty lint screen
Clean the screen before every load. Dryer sheets can leave a film on the mesh. Wash it with warm, soapy water now and then.
3. Too many clothes
Clothes need room to tumble. A packed drum dries slowly and unevenly.
4. Clothes are too wet
If the washer is not spinning well, clothes go in dripping. Squeeze a towel after the wash. If water runs out, the washer may be the problem.
5. A dirty moisture sensor
Two metal strips inside the drum sense when clothes are dry. Softener and dryer sheet film can fool them, so the dryer stops early. Wipe them with rubbing alcohol.
6. A weak heating element (electric)
If part of the element has failed, the dryer gets warm but not hot. It may still dry, just much slower.
7. Worn gas valve coils (gas)
On gas dryers, the coils open the gas valve. When they start to fail, the burner lights then cuts out, so the dryer gets warm only part of the time.
What can you check yourself?
- Clean the lint screen and the lint screen slot with a vacuum.
- Pull the dryer out and make sure the vent hose is not crushed or kinked.
- Go outside with the dryer on and feel for strong airflow at the vent cap.
- Dry smaller loads.
- Wipe the moisture sensor strips inside the drum.
- Check that the washer spins clothes well.
Dryer very hot to the touch or smells like burning? Stop it now and call for dryer help in Mountain View.
When should you call a technician?
Call if clothes are still damp after you clean the lint screen and vent, if the dryer only gets warm, if the top feels very hot, or if you smell burning. These can point to a heat part, a thermostat or a blocked vent that needs a full cleaning. Most dryer repairs in Mountain View run about $150 to $400 with parts and labor.
See our dryer repair services. If the dryer gives no heat at all, read dryer not heating. For the vent, read our guide to dryer vent cleaning and fire safety.
The U.S. Fire Administration has more dryer fire safety tips.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my dryer take two cycles to dry?
The most common cause is a clogged dryer vent. Other causes are a dirty lint screen, overloaded drum, a weak heating element or gas valve coil, or a washer that is not spinning water out.
Is a slow dryer a fire risk?
It can be. A slow dryer often has lint blocking the vent. Lint is very flammable and a blocked vent makes the dryer run hot.
How much does dryer repair cost in Mountain View?
Most dryer repairs run about $150 to $400 with parts and labor. You get the price before any work starts.