Dryer Not Heating or Taking Too Long to Dry?
A dryer that tumbles happily but leaves your clothes damp is one of the more common jobs we get called out for, particularly through the cooler, wetter months in the Illawarra when everyone is relying on the dryer. The good news is that a lot of the causes are about airflow, and airflow is something you can improve yourself.
Clean the lint filter every time
This sounds obvious, but a partially blocked lint filter is the single biggest reason dryers take too long. Lint restricts airflow, the dryer cannot shift moisture out of the drum, and everything takes twice as long. Clean the filter before every load, and give it an occasional wash under the tap to remove the invisible film that fabric softener leaves behind.
Check the venting
If your dryer vents outside through a duct, check the duct is not crushed, kinked or clogged with lint. A blocked vent traps hot, moist air inside, which kills drying performance and is a genuine fire risk. For condenser and heat-pump dryers, empty the water tank and clean the condenser unit as the manual describes.
Give it room to breathe
Dryers need air around them. If yours is jammed in a tight cupboard with no ventilation, it recirculates warm damp air and struggles. Make sure the room has some airflow, especially in a small internal laundry.
Do not overload
Cramming the drum full stops the clothes tumbling freely, so the warm air cannot get through them. Dry smaller loads and you will often find they finish faster than one giant load.
If it runs but produces no heat at all
If the drum turns but there is no heat whatsoever, the heating element, thermostat or thermal fuse may have failed. These are electrical parts and, in the case of a tripped thermal cut-out, they are often a symptom of the airflow problems above. They need testing and replacement by a technician.
When to call a professional
If you have cleaned the filter and vent and the dryer still will not heat or dry, the fault is likely internal. Wollongong Service Company repairs vented, condenser and heat-pump dryers across the Illawarra and South Coast. Book a repair or call 02 4229 3777.
