Dryer not drying clothes properly

What to expect when you experience a dryer not drying clothes properly issue

How do I fix a dryer not drying clothes properly problem?

Resolving most issues with clothes not drying properly typically requires replacing the electronic control board, drum bearing, or user interface control. Nonetheless, given the numerous potential causes, a comprehensive diagnosis is crucial for resolving the problem effectively. An accurate diagnosis is vital for determining the extent of the repair costs.

Sears Home Services solutions for a dryer that is not drying clothes properly

If your dryer isn't drying clothes properly, there could be various reasons behind it. To prevent unnecessary part replacements, we advise having a Sears Home Services professional conduct diagnostic tests to pinpoint the underlying issue. Our technicians possess expertise in diagnosing a wide range of dryer malfunctions.

What you will see with a dryer not drying clothes properly diagnosis

Identifying issues with modern appliances without adequate knowledge and training can be hard. If you don't employ correct diagnostic methods, trying to fix your dryer may just involve randomly replacing parts. Appliances, especially those made in the last decade, have become highly advanced, with many featuring electronic components that are tough to assess. Doing repairs yourself on the latest appliance models is getting harder.

Why is my Gas Dryer Not Heating?

There are a many things that could keep your dryer from heating up. You might have a problem with the gas supply to the dryer, or problems with the flame sensor, gas valve coils, high-limit thermostat, operating thermostat, thermal cut-off fuse, thermal fuse, igniter or timer. I know that sounds like a lot, but don’t worry, we’ll help you work through it with the troubleshooting tips in this video:

Once you find the cause of the heating failure, decide whether you want to fix the problem yourself or have a Sears Home Services technician fix the dryer for you.

Resolving a heating problem in your dryer with fix the appliance so it dries your clothes properly again.

Why Won’t My Electric Dryer Heat?

In this helpful DIY video, we show you how to troubleshoot your dryer that won’t heat, including checking the heating element, high-limit thermostat, operating thermostat, thermal cut-off fuse and timer. Learn about a few easy tests you can run to find the problem, including using a multimeter to make sure current is flowing between the parts. Once you know what the issue is, you can fix the issue yourself or have our Sears Home Services technician fix the problem for you.

Check the Power Supply

The first step is to check to see if the dryer is getting the correct amount of power. You may think the dryer is getting enough power if the motor runs, but the heating element needs 240 volts of electricity to heat. The motor will run even if the dryer is only getting 120 volts of power.

Check your power cord to make sure it’s not damaged. Then, reset your house circuit breaker to make sure it’s not tripped. Set your dryer to a timed dry, high-heat cycle and see if it heats up after resetting the breakers.

If it’s still not heating, you’ll need to check the components on the control circuit. Checking continuity with a multimeter will allow you to test them all at once.

First, unplug the dryer. For safety, always disconnect power before checking continuity. Remove the back panel from the dryer, then remove the back of the control panel. Unplug the large red wire from terminal "A" on the timer. Set the multimeter to read ohms of resistance.

Measure resistance between the large red wire on the timer and the heating element terminal where the large red wire is connected. If you measure near 15 ohms of resistance through this circuit, then you know that the heating element, high-limit thermostat, operating thermostat and thermal cut-off fuse are all okay. You can skip ahead to learn how to check out your timer in the video.

Check the Dryer Heating Element

If you measured no electrical continuity through the circuit described, then check the heating element. Place your meter leads on the heating element terminals. You should measure near 15 ohms of resistance through the heating element.

If you measured no continuity, then the heating element is broken. This video will show you how to replace it:

If you measured near 15 ohms of resistance, then the heating element is good. Continue with the troubleshooting tips in the video to find the cause of your dryer not heating and not drying clothes properly.

A dryer that tumbles but leaves items damp might suffer from blocked vents or broken sensors. Re-running loads wastes energy and time. Rather than guess, choose dryer repair near me. Efficient airflow and accurate sensing ensure clothes emerge fully dry.