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  1. Repair

Dryer gets hot but takes long time to dry

Common reasons your Dryer gets hot but takes long time to dry

The most common reasons your clothes dryer gets hot but takes a long time to dry are a faulty thermostat, weak gas valve coils or defective electronic control board.

  • 31%

    31% of the time it's the
    Thermostat

  • 22%

    22% of the time it's the
    Gas Valve Coils

  • 12%

    12% of the time it's the
    Electronic Control Board

  • 35%

    35% of the time it's the
    Something else

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    Most common repairs needed to fix a dryer

    Thermostat Replacement

    When your clothes dryer gets hot but takes a long time to dry, a faulty thermostat could be causing the problem. The thermostat cycles on and off the heating element or the burner to regulate heating inside the dryer drum. If the thermostat is bad, it won’t cycle the heating system on properly to heat air inside the dryer to dry the clothes. When the dryer gets hot but clothes don’t get dry, have a Sears Home Services technician examine the dryer and replace the thermostat if it’s faulty.


    Gas Valve Coils Replacement

    A gas clothes dryer that gets hot but takes a long time to dry could have weak gas valve coils. The gas valve coils open the gas valves to ignite the burner and heat the dryer during the drying cycle. Weak gas valve coils will open the gas valve for the initial heating cycle when you initially start the drying cycle. As weak gas valve coils heat up, they won’t continue to be strong enough to open the gas valves and keep the dryer heating.

    Electronic Control Board Replacement

    If your dryer gets hot but takes a long time to dry clothes, a malfunctioning electronic control board might be the culprit, hindering the proper heating of the dryer. If the electronic control board is faulty, it may fail to properly sense the thermistor signal so the dryer will heat but not heat properly to dry the clothes. A faulty relay on the dryer electronic control board could also fail to send electric current properly to the burner to heating element to heat the dryer enough to dry clothes. When your dryer heats but doesn’t dry clothes, schedule a visit from a Sears Home Services Technician to address and fix the drying issue.

    What to expect when you experience a dryer that gets hot but takes a long time to dry clothes

    How is the long drying time problem fixed?

    Correcting most long drying time problems usually involves replacing a thermostat, installing new gas valve coils in a gas dryer or replacing a defective electronic control board. However, there are many other potential causes for long dry times, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. Finding the exact cause of the drying issue will lead to an accurate and permanent fix.

    Sears Home Services recommendations for a dryer taking a long time to dry clothes

    When your clothes dryer is taking a long time to dry clothes, check the vent duct system for problems. Clean the lint screen if it’s coated heavily with lint and clear lint from the screen before starting each drying cycle. Wash the lint screen monthly with water and soft-bristle brush to remove residue buildup on the screen. Clean the flexible vent hose behind your dryer and clear lint and debris out of the entire exhaust duct system going to the outside of your home.

    If the dryer still takes a long time to finish a cycle after following these basic troubleshooting tips, schedule dryer repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician fix the dryer.

    What to look out for with a dryer taking a long time to dry loads

    Diagnosing modern dryers without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your dryer problem may only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.

    Sears Home Services technicians have the training and experience to fix drying problems in any type or brand of dryer. Schedule service to have one of our technicians professionally diagnose and fix your dryer when it takes a long time to dry clothes.

    What our customers say about us

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    Excellent service from Daniel

    Daniel provided excellent service and was very quick to perform the repair. I have nothing good to say about the warranty program and the LACK of customer service and the inability to contact a human being to talk.


    Tammy M, Hilton, NY

    Satisfied customer

    Excellent technician Very thorough and detail oriented Would be happy to have him work on appliances again He managed to find our ranch headquarters in the middle of the desert


    Rose W, Las Cruces, NM

    Dryer service

    He was professional and polite. I didn't call back later that afternoon, although he replaced a thermostat the smart dry timer doesn't work as I was still having the same issue. The lady said she would email him and have him return. Never heard from anyone else.


    Terry F, Oklahoma City, OK

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    Glossary Terms

    Natural gas is a fossil fuel used primarily for heating, cooking, and electricity generation. It's a hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting mainly of methane, but it also contains smaller amounts of other hydrocarbons and sometimes sulfur compounds.

    A gas dryer is a laundry appliance that uses natural gas or propane to generate heat to dry clothes.

    A furnace fan, also known as a blower, is an integral component of your HVAC system that circulates air throughout your home, ensuring consistent temperature and air quality.

    A furnace flame sensor is a safety device designed to detect the presence of a flame when the furnace is on, ensuring that gas flows only when it is ignited to prevent dangerous gas leaks.

    Common dryer symptoms to look out for