Appliance Tips

Diagnosing & Fixing Clothes Dryer Woes*

What powers your clothes dryer? Dryers are classified by the kind of power that provides their heat—either electricity or gas. But even a gas dryer uses electricity for all its non-heating actions. To keep your dryer working at its maximum capacity, here are some maintenance and repair tips from the experts at American Home Shield.

Dryer Fundamentals
  • When your dryer doesn't do its job, look first to the basics. Is it plugged in? Is the cord defective? Has the dryer's fuse blown or has the circuit breaker tripped?
  • Clean the lint trap and use a vacuum or a piece of wire to remove any lint from the exhaust duct.
  • If the load seems too wet to dry efficiently, put it through the washer's spin cycle again.
Safety Tip Before doing any work on your dryer, pull the plug. Turn off the gas supply to a gas dryer, at either the appliance shutoff or the main shutoff valve. Should you smell gas, get out of the house immediately and call your gas company.

Troubleshooting Clothes Dryer Problems
Problem Possible solutions
Drum doesn't rotate, though dryer turns on.
  • The start switch, door switch, or timer could be defective. Replace part or parts.
  • The drum belt could be loose or broken. Tighten loose belt or replace part.
  • The idler pulley or spring could be loose or broken. Replace part or parts.
  • The support roller, centrifugal switch, or motor could be defective. Replace part or parts.
The dryer doesn't heat, though the drum rotates.
  • If the temperature control or timer parts are defective, replacement is needed.
  • The over heat protector could be defective. Replace part.
  • Electric dryers: Is the power off? Check fuse or circuit breaker.
  • Electric dryers: Is the heating element defective? Replace heating element.
  • Gas dryers: Is your pilot light out? Relight or replace flame switch.
  • Gas dryers: The electric pilot could be defective. Replace pilot.
  • Gas dryers: The air-gas ratio could be incorrect. Adjust shutter on burner.
Your clothes don't dry.
  • The lint trap or exhaust duct could be a clogged. Clean lint trap or exhaust duct.
  • The door seal could be a worn. Replace door seal.
  • The air-gas ratio could be an incorrect. Adjust shutter on burner.
The dryer runs noisily.
  • The drum belt could be a worn. Replace belt.
  • The idler pulley or support roller could be a defective. If so, replace part or parts.
  • The blower could be loose. Tighten setscrew holding blower to shaft.
  • The motor bearings could be worn. Replace part or parts.
You can't turn the dryer on.
  • Is the dryer door open? Shut the door again.
  • Is no power reaching the outlet? Check the fuse box/circuit breaker.
  • Is the motor wiring loose? Tighten the electrical connections.
  • Is there a damaged door switch or defective centrifugal switch or defective wiring between the outlet and the terminal block? Check the switch and replace it if necessary.
  • It could be a defective timer. Check the timer and replace if necessary.
  • It could be a defective motor. Replace the motor.
The motor runs but the drum doesn't turn.
  • The drum could be blocked. Open the unit and look for any obstruction around the drum.
  • The drive belt could be broken. Replace the belt.
  • The idler wheel assembly could be broken. Check the assembly and replace if necessary.
  • Check the work support wheel.
The drum turns but nothing gets dry.
  • It could be a clogged lint trap or exhaust vent. Unclog lint trap or exhaust vent.
  • The safety thermostat could be defective. Replace safety thermostat.
  • The heating element could be defective. Replace heating element.
  • The timer could be defective. Replace the timer.
It takes too long to dry a load.
  • The lint trap or exhaust vent could be clogged. Clean the trap and vent.
  • It could be that the dryer is overloaded or that clothes are too wet. Reduce the load and try again.
  • A fan could be loose. Check fan and tighten if necessary.
  • The door gasket could be damaged. Check the gasket and replace if necessary.
The dryer doesn't stop drying at the end of a cycle.
  • If you have a defective timer, it needs to be replaced.
  • Your dampness sensor could be defective.

To learn about the benefits of a home warranty plan, schedule an appointment with the experts at American Home Shield.

*Please note, the knowledge skill and experience level required to follow these tips varies. If you are in doubt as to your ability to properly and safely implement these suggestions, contact a professional. Every home, home appliance and system is different as are the problems that can affect them. Accordingly, the tips referenced above are meant only as suggestions to be considered for the listed problems. American Home Shield can not be responsible for any damages arising from any actions or inactions taken pursuant to tips provided herein.


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