how to repair an electric clothes dryer

Replace the bad heating element on an electric dryer by unscrewing the retaining clip at the top of the heater box. Then pull out the box and remove the element retaining screw. Swap the elements and reinstall. If you have an electric or gas dryer that tumbles but won’t heat, check the thermal fuse for continuity.

Full Answer

Why does your electric clothes dryer keep shutting off?

WHY MY DRYER KEEPS SHUTTING OFF

1. BLOCKED VENT. Dryers have to vent the hot air they generate. ...
2. DRYER MOTOR. If your dryer motor starts to show signs of wear and tear, it may get hotter than usual during the drying cycle.
3. DOOR LATCH. Your dryer will not work when the door is not firmly closed. ...
4. MOISTURE SENSOR. ...

Do clothes dryers use alot of electricity?

Clothes dryers can consume a lot of electricity when used regularly, but an energy efficient model with a high star rating can reduce running costs and save the environment. An average load of washing costs around 44 cents to dry, so choosing an energy efficient model can reduce your running costs.

How to troubleshoot your clothes dryer?

Why a Clothes Dryer Stopped Working and What to Check

• Go to the electric circuit breaker panel.
• Look for a tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse.
• The circuit breaker is typically a 2-pole 30 amp.
• Turn the circuit breaker all the way off, then back on.
• If the breaker was tripped the dryer may restart, however the key is to find out why the circuit tripped off and correct the problem.

More items...

How do I fix my clothes dryer?

• Check the drum for screws, nails, paperclips, or even toothpicks caught to the perforations and causing the noise. ...
• Use a level or see if the dryer wobbles, level, and cross your fingers.
• Loose baffles or lifters may need to be tightened or replaced.
• If you notice brown specks or flecks on your clean clothes, check the drum glides.

More items...

Is it worth repairing an electric dryer?

Is it worth repairing a dryer? Dryer repairs are worth it if the appliance is less than 4 years old and the cost is less than $400. For older dryers and/or costly repairs, replacing your appliance is more cost effective.

How do you repair an electric dryer?

InstructionsCheck the Plug. If the dryer won't start, check to be sure that the dryer is plugged in. ... Check the Breaker or Fuse. ... Inspect the Fuse, Switch, and Belt. ... Check the Temperature Sensor. ... Search for the Source of Unexpected Noise. ... Clean the Lint Filter. ... Inspect the Dryer Vents. ... Read Through the Manual.

Can I fix my dryer myself?

You can solve most problems yourself—no experience necessary! Most dryer problems can be fixed in an hour with a few basic tools and a continuity tester or multimeter—and you can do the work yourself with these simple instructions.

What causes an electric dryer to stop working?

A faulty or broken thermostat can make a dryer stop working. Replacing the fuse or the thermostat will allow the dryer to work again. A blown thermal fuse from overheating indicates an additional problem, such as improper ventilation.

How do I know if my thermal fuse is blown?

To test if your thermal fuse has blown, touch the right side of your multimeter lead to the right side of the fuse, and repeat with the left multimeter lead. If the multimeter needle fails to move, this indicates the thermal fuse has blown.

What are the common dryer problems?

Such issues can prevent your dryer from functioning properly. As a result, your clothes may remain wet or damp even after the drying cycle....What Are the Most Common Electric Clothes Dryer Problems?Heating element.Thermal fuse.Cycling thermostat.High-limit thermostat.Ducting system.

Is it better to fix a dryer or buy a new one?

You can generally repair a dryer for $125 vs replacing it for $350. Since there's little difference in life expectancy between the two options, it's generally cheaper and more practical to repair a dryer than to replace it.

Where is the dryer reset button?

Often, dryers are equipped with a reset button on the control panel. If the motor won't run, let the dryer cool for about ten minutes. Then press this reset button.

How many years does a dryer last?

Clothes Dryer Dryers tend to last longer than washing machines, typically seven to 12 years. Make It Last: Although it's tempting to skip cleaning the lint trap between loads, a clogged trap is the top reason for stress on your dryer. Clean it every time. Skip the dryer sheets, too, according to our expert.

When I push the start button on my dryer nothing happens?

If the dryer start switch does not have continuity when it is activated, it will need to be replaced. The door switch is located near the dryer door and is activated when the door is closed. If the door switch fails, the dryer won't start at all. Most door switches will make an audible click when they are activated.

Why is my dryer not working all of a sudden?

Unplug the dryer and check the thermal fuse for continuity. Replace the thermal fuse if the multimeter measures no continuity. Check the exhaust vent because a clog in the vent likely caused the thermal fuse to blow. For dryers with a dial timer, a broken push-to-start switch can prevent the motor from running.

Where is the dryer fuse located?

Locate the Fuse Thermal fuses are installed on the dryer's exhaust duct. Typically, you must remove the back panel of a dryer to access the fuse. Ensure to shut off electrical power to the dryer before attempting to locate and troubleshoot the fuse.

Where is the dryer reset button?

Often, dryers are equipped with a reset button on the control panel. If the motor won't run, let the dryer cool for about ten minutes. Then press this reset button.

When I press the start button on my dryer nothing happens?

If the dryer start switch does not have continuity when it is activated, it will need to be replaced. The door switch is located near the dryer door and is activated when the door is closed. If the door switch fails, the dryer won't start at all. Most door switches will make an audible click when they are activated.

How do you fix a dryer that won't heat?

This is the most common cause of a dryer not heating. To check if your venting is clogged, start a timed dry on high heat. Go to the exhaust vent outside and use your hand to verify that the air is very warm and exiting at a decent flow. If there's little airflow, your venting likely needs to be cleaned or replaced.

How do you troubleshoot a dryer that won't start?

The first issue to check for when a dryer won't start is whether the power cord is properly plugged in, directly connected, or showing signs of serious damage. Also, a dryer requires a lot of electricity to operate, so it may have tripped the breaker when pulling the necessary power.

Is it cheaper to repair or replace a dryer?

It depends on the repair. As is the case with all appliances, if repair costs are more than half of what it would cost to buy a replacement, buy a...

Why is my dryer not generating heat?

There are several reasons your dryer might not be producing heat. The most common include a clogged dryer vent, tripped circuit breaker or unsteady...

Why won't my dryer start?

There are many things that could be the culprit for why your dryer won't start, including a bad thermal fuse; a failed start switch or door switch;...

Can tumble dryers be repaired?

Yes. But depending on the problem, and the cost of the repair, it might be more cost efficient to replace the dryer rather than repair it.

Why won't my dryer spin?

When a drum stops spinning, a broken drive belt is usually the reason. A drive belt that's functioning properly should provide some resistance, so...

How long does it take to fix a dryer?

Most dryer problems can be fixed in an hour with a few basic tools and a continuity tester or multimeter—and you can do the work yourself with these simple instructions.

How to remove front panel of dryer?

With the bottom panel open, you can remove the front panel by removing two screws at the top and two at the bottom. If your filter slides into the top of the dryer, remove the screws alongside the filter slot. Using a putty knife, release the two spring catches located under the top panel at the front.

How to access thermal fuse on dryer?

If you have a gas dryer with the lint filter in the door, access the thermal fuse by opening the bottom panel. If the filter slides into the top of the machine, remove the entire front panel. On an electric dryer, remove the rear service panel.

Why is my dryer dead?

If your dryer seems absolutely dead when you turn it on, chances are the door switch is bad or the plunger is broken or bent. Door switches wear out from normal use, but repeatedly slamming the door can speed up their demise. Start by checking the plunger located on the door for dryer troubleshooting. If it’s missing or bent, replace it. If the plunger checks out, the next step of dryer troubleshooting is to remove the top cabinet panel to gain access to the door switch. See the disassembly instructions.

What to do if your dryer thermal fuse is out?

If the thermal fuse on your electric dryer checks out, test the heater element for continuity. Replace the element if you don’t get continuity (Photos 2 and 3).

How to test a gas dryer?

On a gas dryer, test the radiant sensor, igniter and thermal fuse by disconnecting the wires and checking for continuity. Replace them if they fail the continuity test.

How to test continuity of electric dryer?

Disconnect the wires to the heating element of an electric dryer and test it for continuity. Replace the element if you don’t get a continuity reading.

Most Common Problems

Our dryer troubleshooting guide walks you through the repair steps from diagnosis to part selection to fixing the problem. We even have videos to help you along the way. Think of it as a pathway to perma-press success.

The Right Parts for the Job

We carry more than 4 million parts from over 175 major brands, so chances are, we've got the part you need.

How to reset a dryer that won't work?

Many dryers are equipped with a reset button on the control panel. If the motor won't run, let the dryer cool for about ten minutes. Then push the reset button. If there are no problems with the motor, switches, or electrical system, this should restart the dryer. Caution: Before doing any work on the dryer, make sure it's unplugged. Disconnect the grounding wire. If it is a gas-fueled dryer, close the gas-supply valve to shut off the unit's gas supply.

Why is my dryer not drying clothes?

Besides drying clothes, dryers also remove lint. This fine, fuzzy material can cause trouble because it blocks dryer lint traps, clogs vents, and fills blowers. Lint can also gather around and in the tracks of the drum rollers, or in and under the pulleys and the drive belt. The result is poor clothes drying or -- sometimes -- no drying. To avoid lint problems, clean out the dryer's lint trap system every time you use the dryer.

Why is my dryer not running?

The door switch is critical to the dryer's operation. If the switch is not working, the dryer will not run. If the dryer has a door latch, make sure the latch is free of dirt or lint and properly adjusted before you make any switch tests or replacements.

Why is the door of a dryer sealed?

The door of the dryer is sealed with one or more gaskets to keep the hot air in the dryer from escaping and prevent the cool air in the laundry area from being sucked into the dryer. A deteriorated or damaged gasket greatly lowers the efficiency of the dryer.

What is dryer drum?

A dryer consists of a large drum into which wet laundry is loaded. A motor with pulleys turns the drum, and heated air is blown through the drum. ©2006 Publications International, Ltd. Except for the power cord and the exhaust vent, the components that make up the dryer are contained in a sheet metal box.

How to check if a switch is working?

To check the start switch, remove the control panel and test the switch with a VOM set to the RX1 scale. Disconnect the leads from the switch terminals and clip one VOM probe to each terminal. Press the switch button. If the meter reads zero, the switch is working.

What is a dryer?

A dryer is simply a large drum into which wet laundry is loaded. A motor with pulleys -- connected by a series of belts -- turns the drum. Air heated by a gas heater or electric heating element is blown through the drum to dry the laundry.

5 COMMON CLOTHES DRYER PROBLEMS AND HOW TO FIX THEM?

A cloth dryer is a part of the laundry routine. In the present era, it’s essential. But what if it just stops working? Your laundry routine will get disturbed completely. You may face some widespread problems with your cloth dryer. These problems can lead to the devastation of your cloth dryer if kept ignored.

Does Not Produce Any Heat

The drum will spin adequately, but the dryer will not produce any heat. This problem is the most typical type of problem that many people face. But don’t get worried because you can fix this on your own. The primary cause of this situation is a blown thermal fuse.

Drum Will Not Spin

Sometimes, you will hear the noise of the motor, but the drum will remain still. This situation happens when the belt wears put. For fixing this, you will have to buy a replacement belt. First of all, unplug the dryer, then remove the rear panel and replace the old belt with a new one.

Dryer Makes Noise

Sometimes, you will notice some of the very abnormal Noises coming out of your dryer. It would be best if you immediately took notice in that case. This issue occurs when something hard gets stuck into your dryer. So, you should remove it immediately.

Dryer Will Start Tearing Your Clothes

This situation is bizarre and pathetic. It mainly occurs when something pointed gets stuck into the dryer. Yeah, the dryer can read your clothes into pieces. If this happens to you, then call out someone for repair. If you could see it, then remove it. Or contact the repair service providers.