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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.
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Why is my dryer taking so long to dry?
A dryer that takes two or more cycles to dry usually has a clogged lint screen, a blocked vent duct, or a crushed vent hose behind the machine. Less often, a heating element, gas igniter, or thermal fuse has failed. Airflow problems are the most common cause, and the most important to fix.
A dryer works by heating air, pushing it through your clothes, and blowing the moist air outside. If that air can't get out, the moisture stays in the drum. The dryer runs longer, uses more energy, and gets hotter than it should.
Why is lint a fire risk?
Lint is made of tiny, dry fibers that burn very easily. When it collects inside the dryer cabinet or vent duct, the heat from the dryer can ignite it. Blocked airflow makes the dryer run hotter, which raises the risk.
The U.S. Fire Administration lists dryers among the appliances behind many home fires, and the National Fire Protection Association's dryer safety tip sheet names failure to clean as a leading factor. The good news is that most of the prevention is simple.
What are the warning signs of a blocked vent?
- Clothes are still damp after a normal cycle.
- The top of the dryer or the laundry room feels unusually hot.
- You smell a hot or burning odor while the dryer runs.
- The outside vent flap barely opens when the dryer is on.
- Lint collects around the door opening or behind the dryer.
- The dryer stops mid-cycle, which can mean the thermal fuse tripped from overheating.
Burning smell from your dryer? Turn it off, unplug it, and call us before using it again.
How do you clean a dryer vent safely?
Unplug the dryer (and turn off the gas valve on a gas model), pull it away from the wall, disconnect the duct, and clear lint from both ends with a vent brush and vacuum. Then check the outside flap opens freely.
- Clean the lint screen. Do this after every load. Wash it with soap and water every few months if fabric softener leaves a film.
- Check the transition hose. Replace thin foil or plastic hoses with a rigid or semi-rigid metal duct. Make sure it is not crushed behind the machine.
- Brush the duct. A long vent brush clears lint from the run between the dryer and the outside wall.
- Clear the outside vent. Remove lint, nests, or debris from the exterior flap.
The U.S. Fire Administration's clothes dryer fire safety flyer is a handy one-page checklist to keep in your laundry room.
Many Mountain View homes, including older ranch and Eichler-style houses, have long or roof-mounted vent runs. Those are harder to clean yourself and are worth having a professional check once a year.
What if the vent is clear and clothes are still wet?
Then the dryer itself likely has a fault. Common causes are a failed heating element on electric dryers, a bad igniter or gas valve coil on gas dryers, or a blown thermal fuse.
Our dryer repair service tests each of these parts and fixes gas and electric dryers from Whirlpool, Samsung, LG, Maytag, and more. If your washer is leaving clothes too wet before they reach the dryer, that can add drying time too, and our washer repair team can check the spin cycle.
Not sure your dryer is worth fixing? Read our guide on when to repair or replace an appliance.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I clean my dryer vent?
Clean the lint screen after every load. Have the full vent duct cleaned about once a year, or sooner if drying times get longer.
Why is my dryer hot on the outside but clothes are still wet?
Hot air that can't leave through the vent stays in the cabinet. That usually means a blocked or crushed vent duct, not a broken heater.
Can a clogged dryer vent cause a fire?
Yes. Lint is very flammable. When it builds up in a hot dryer or vent, it can catch fire. Fire safety groups list failure to clean as a leading cause of dryer fires.
