Dryers - Troubleshooting/FAQ
My dryer does not heat
Has the dryer had a period of nonuse?
If the dryer hasn't been used for a while, there may be a light thumping sound during the first few minutes of operation. When the dryer is not used, the drum support rollers can flatten where the rollers and drum touch. The flat spot causes the thumping sound. Once the dryer runs for a few minutes, the rollers will regain their shape and the sound should stop.
Is the load knotted or balled up?
Another form of thumping can occur when the load is twisted or balled up. Laundry items with large amounts of fabric, such as sheets, curtains, tablecloths and bedspreads, can roll into a ball in the dryer. This ball of fabric may thump and may cause the dryer to vibrate. To reduce this, add these large items loosely into the dryer. Remove any bunching that may have occurred during washing.
Are you hearing a scraping sound?
Objects such as coins, paper clips, safety pins, screws, nails or other small hardware can get caught in the seam where the drum meets the front or rear. Turn off the dryer. Look inside the dryer along the front and rear edges of the drum. Remove any objects caught in the seam.
Are the four legs installed, and is the dryer level front-to-back and side-to-side?
A dryer without legs, or that is missing legs, may rock or teeter on a floor that is not level, which will cause some noise. The legs adjust up and down to level the dryer on a floor that is not level. Check if any of the four dryer legs are missing. Replace any missing legs, and level the dryer both front-to-back and side-to-side. A level dryer is required for the sensing of load moisture in dry cycle-auto cycles.
Are you hearing a knocking or rattling sound?
Zippers, buckles, buttons and rivets on garments as well as loose coins, paper clips, pens, or similar items may be tumbling in the dryer. Always check and clear pockets prior to washing.
Why are my loads damp or my drying times are taking so long?
Is the lint screen clogged with lint?
Is the exhaust vent or outside exhaust hood clogged with lint and restricting air movement?
A clogged exhaust vent system slows moist air from leaving the dryer and extends drying time. Run the dryer for 5-10 minutes. Hold your hand under the outside exhaust hood to check air movement. If the air movement is less than a hair dryer on high speed, clean the lint from the entire length of the system and the exhaust hood.
Is the exhaust vent kinked, smashed or crushed?
Kinked or crushed exhaust vent material slows moist air from leaving the dryer and extends drying time. Replace any plastic or metal foil vent with rigid or flexible heavy metal vent.
Kinked or crushed exhaust vent material slows moist air from leaving the dryer and extends drying time. Replace any plastic or metal foil vent with rigid or flexible heavy metal vent.
The exhaust vent system may be too long or have too many turns. Heavy rigid metal vent material and boxed or louvered exhaust hoods allow for the longest exhaust vent systems. Use the fewest number of elbows for the best airflow. Your installation should not have more than 4 elbows. Each additional elbow in the system reduces the amount of vent material length the system can have for good air movement.
Are fabric softener sheets blocking air flow?
A dryer softener sheet may be blocking the air intake or exhaust grille inside the dryer drum. This slows moist air from moving out of the dryer, which then lengthens the cycle time. Use only one fabric softener sheet per load, and use it only once. Remove any fabric softener sheets from the inside of the dryer drum.
Is the dryer located in a garage, on a porch or in a room colder than 45°F (7°C)?
The air temperature surrounding a dryer in a garage or on a porch may be too cold for the dryer to dry loads well. Proper operation of the cycles requires the dryer to be in an area where the air temperature is above 45°F (7°C).
Is the dryer located in a closet?
Closet doors must have ventilation openings at the top and bottom of the door. The front of the dryer requires a minimum of 1" (2.5 cm) of airflow space, and, for most installations, the rear of the dryer requires 5½" (14 cm).
Were you drying a large load?
Large loads take longer to dry. A load that is too large for the dryer will not tumble and limits air movement in the dryer. This slows the process of removing moist air out of the dryer, which will result in longer drying cycles.
Why do I have so much lint in my dryer?
Is the lint screen clogged with lint?
Is the exhaust vent or outside exhaust hood clogged with lint and restricting air movement?
A clogged exhaust vent system slows moist air from leaving the dryer and extends drying time. Run the dryer for 5-10 minutes. Hold your hand under the outside exhaust hood to check air movement. If the air movement is less than a hair dryer on high speed, clean the lint from the entire length of the system and the exhaust hood.
Is the exhaust vent kinked, smashed or crushed?
Kinked or crushed exhaust vent material slows moist air from leaving the dryer and extends drying time. Replace any plastic or metal foil vent with rigid or flexible heavy metal vent.
Kinked or crushed exhaust vent material slows moist air from leaving the dryer and extends drying time. Replace any plastic or metal foil vent with rigid or flexible heavy metal vent.
The exhaust vent system may be too long or have too many turns. Heavy rigid metal vent material and boxed or louvered exhaust hoods allow for the longest exhaust vent systems. Use the fewest number of elbows for the best airflow. Your installation should not have more than 4 elbows. Each additional elbow in the system reduces the amount of vent material length the system can have for good air movement.
Are fabric softener sheets blocking air flow?
A dryer softener sheet may be blocking the air intake or exhaust grille inside the dryer drum. This slows moist air from moving out of the dryer, which then lengthens the cycle time. Use only one fabric softener sheet per load, and use it only once. Remove any fabric softener sheets from the inside of the dryer drum.
Is the dryer located in a garage, on a porch or in a room colder than 45°F (7°C)?
The air temperature surrounding a dryer in a garage or on a porch may be too cold for the dryer to dry loads well. Proper operation of the cycles requires the dryer to be in an area where the air temperature is above 45°F (7°C).
Is the dryer located in a closet?
Closet doors must have ventilation openings at the top and bottom of the door. The front of the dryer requires a minimum of 1" (2.5 cm) of airflow space, and, for most installations, the rear of the dryer requires 5½" (14 cm).
Were you drying a large load?
Large loads take longer to dry. A load that is too large for the dryer will not tumble and limits air movement in the dryer. This slows the process of removing moist air out of the dryer, which will result in longer drying cycles.
My dryer or load has an odor
Has a household fuse blown or has a circuit breaker tripped?
There may be 2 household fuses or circuit breakers for the dryer. Make sure both fuses are intact and tight or that both circuit breakers have not tripped. Replace the fuse(s) or reset the circuit breaker(s). If the problem continues, call an electrician.
Is the correct power supply available? (Electric dryers only)
Electric dryers require 240-volt power supply. Check with a qualified electrician.
Is the dryer door firmly closed?
Your dryer door may not be fully closed. It may look shut, but may not be latched. Push on the door to engage the latch or latches. Some models have an upper and lower latch. Both latches must be secure for the dryer to run.
Was the Start, Push to Start or Hold to Start button firmly pressed?
Is the cycle control knob set on a sensor dry or timed dry cycle? (on some models)
The cycle control knob must be set in a automatic dry or electronic sensor dry or timed dry cycle. The dryer will not start if set on the extra care option.
Is controls locked status light on? (on some models)
Did you recently install a power supply cord on the dryer? (Electric dryers only)
The power supply cord may be incorrectly installed. If the power cord is incorrectly installed, the dryer may not start or heat. Review the installation instructions to check that the power supply cord is properly installed.
My dryer makes sounds or vibrations
Has the dryer had a period of nonuse?
If the dryer hasn't been used for a while, there may be a light thumping sound during the first few minutes of operation. When the dryer is not used, the drum support rollers can flatten where the rollers and drum touch. The flat spot causes the thumping sound. Once the dryer runs for a few minutes, the rollers will regain their shape and the sound should stop.
Is the load knotted or balled up?
Another form of thumping can occur when the load is twisted or balled up. Laundry items with large amounts of fabric, such as sheets, curtains, tablecloths and bedspreads, can roll into a ball in the dryer. This ball of fabric may thump and may cause the dryer to vibrate. To reduce this, add these large items loosely into the dryer. Remove any bunching that may have occurred during washing.
Are you hearing a scraping sound?
Objects such as coins, paper clips, safety pins, screws, nails or other small hardware can get caught in the seam where the drum meets the front or rear. Turn off the dryer. Look inside the dryer along the front and rear edges of the drum. Remove any objects caught in the seam.
Are the four legs installed, and is the dryer level front-to-back and side-to-side?
A dryer without legs, or that is missing legs, may rock or teeter on a floor that is not level, which will cause some noise. The legs adjust up and down to level the dryer on a floor that is not level. Check if any of the four dryer legs are missing. Replace any missing legs, and level the dryer both front-to-back and side-to-side. A level dryer is required for the sensing of load moisture in dry cycle-auto cycles.
Are you hearing a knocking or rattling sound?
Zippers, buckles, buttons and rivets on garments as well as loose coins, paper clips, pens, or similar items may be tumbling in the dryer. Always check and clear pockets prior to washing.
My fabric is too hot when I remove it from the dryer
Is the lint screen clogged with lint?
Is the exhaust vent or outside exhaust hood clogged with lint and restricting air movement?
A clogged exhaust vent system slows moist air from leaving the dryer and extends drying time. Run the dryer for 5-10 minutes. Hold your hand under the outside exhaust hood to check air movement. If the air movement is less than a hair dryer on high speed, clean the lint from the entire length of the system and the exhaust hood.
Is the exhaust vent kinked, smashed or crushed?
Kinked or crushed exhaust vent material slows moist air from leaving the dryer and extends drying time. Replace any plastic or metal foil vent with rigid or flexible heavy metal vent.
Kinked or crushed exhaust vent material slows moist air from leaving the dryer and extends drying time. Replace any plastic or metal foil vent with rigid or flexible heavy metal vent.
The exhaust vent system may be too long or have too many turns. Heavy rigid metal vent material and boxed or louvered exhaust hoods allow for the longest exhaust vent systems. Use the fewest number of elbows for the best airflow. Your installation should not have more than 4 elbows. Each additional elbow in the system reduces the amount of vent material length the system can have for good air movement.
Are fabric softener sheets blocking air flow?
A dryer softener sheet may be blocking the air intake or exhaust grille inside the dryer drum. This slows moist air from moving out of the dryer, which then lengthens the cycle time. Use only one fabric softener sheet per load, and use it only once. Remove any fabric softener sheets from the inside of the dryer drum.
Is the dryer located in a garage, on a porch or in a room colder than 45°F (7°C)?
The air temperature surrounding a dryer in a garage or on a porch may be too cold for the dryer to dry loads well. Proper operation of the cycles requires the dryer to be in an area where the air temperature is above 45°F (7°C).
Is the dryer located in a closet?
Closet doors must have ventilation openings at the top and bottom of the door. The front of the dryer requires a minimum of 1" (2.5 cm) of airflow space, and, for most installations, the rear of the dryer requires 5½" (14 cm).
Were you drying a large load?
Large loads take longer to dry. A load that is too large for the dryer will not tumble and limits air movement in the dryer. This slows the process of removing moist air out of the dryer, which will result in longer drying cycles.
My dryer will not start. What should I do?
Has a household fuse blown or has a circuit breaker tripped?
There may be 2 household fuses or circuit breakers for the dryer. Make sure both fuses are intact and tight or that both circuit breakers have not tripped. Replace the fuse(s) or reset the circuit breaker(s). If the problem continues, call an electrician.
Is the correct power supply available? (Electric dryers only)
Electric dryers require 240-volt power supply. Check with a qualified electrician.
Is the dryer door firmly closed?
Your dryer door may not be fully closed. It may look shut, but may not be latched. Push on the door to engage the latch or latches. Some models have an upper and lower latch. Both latches must be secure for the dryer to run.
Was the Start, Push to Start or Hold to Start button firmly pressed?
Is the cycle control knob set on a sensor dry or timed dry cycle? (on some models)
The cycle control knob must be set in a automatic dry or electronic sensor dry or timed dry cycle. The dryer will not start if set on the extra care option.
Is controls locked status light on? (on some models)
Did you recently install a power supply cord on the dryer? (Electric dryers only)
The power supply cord may be incorrectly installed. If the power cord is incorrectly installed, the dryer may not start or heat. Review the installation instructions to check that the power supply cord is properly installed.
What do I do if my dryer drum isn't turning?
Has the dryer had a period of nonuse?
If the dryer hasn't been used for a while, there may be a light thumping sound during the first few minutes of operation. When the dryer is not used, the drum support rollers can flatten where the rollers and drum touch. The flat spot causes the thumping sound. Once the dryer runs for a few minutes, the rollers will regain their shape and the sound should stop.
Is the load knotted or balled up?
Another form of thumping can occur when the load is twisted or balled up. Laundry items with large amounts of fabric, such as sheets, curtains, tablecloths and bedspreads, can roll into a ball in the dryer. This ball of fabric may thump and may cause the dryer to vibrate. To reduce this, add these large items loosely into the dryer. Remove any bunching that may have occurred during washing.
Are you hearing a scraping sound?
Objects such as coins, paper clips, safety pins, screws, nails or other small hardware can get caught in the seam where the drum meets the front or rear. Turn off the dryer. Look inside the dryer along the front and rear edges of the drum. Remove any objects caught in the seam.
Are the four legs installed, and is the dryer level front-to-back and side-to-side?
A dryer without legs, or that is missing legs, may rock or teeter on a floor that is not level, which will cause some noise. The legs adjust up and down to level the dryer on a floor that is not level. Check if any of the four dryer legs are missing. Replace any missing legs, and level the dryer both front-to-back and side-to-side. A level dryer is required for the sensing of load moisture in dry cycle-auto cycles.
Are you hearing a knocking or rattling sound?
Zippers, buckles, buttons and rivets on garments as well as loose coins, paper clips, pens, or similar items may be tumbling in the dryer. Always check and clear pockets prior to washing.