How to Repair Your Dryer
- Thermal fuse. Replacing the thermal fuse is one of the easier DIY repairs you can make to your dryer. The thermal fuse...
- Drum belt. The belt wraps around the dryer drum and the motor pulley, which rotates the belt, which then rotates the...
- Step-by-step drum belt repairs. If your dryer has a lint screen, make sure to remove that first. Then,...
Full Answer
How much does it cost to fix a dryer?
The national average cost for dryer repair is $170. This price reflects the total cost for the job including parts, labor charges, and service fees. Most appliance repair technicians charge a flat fee once they determine what repairs are needed and which appliance parts will be required.
How do you troubleshoot a dryer?
- The door latch may not be engaging. Check the latch for lint and clean it completely so that the door closes properly.
- Check the power supply, including fuses and circuit breakers.
- Check the dryer's internal thermal fuse.
- If you have a push start knob, it may not be engaging correctly.
How to troubleshoot dryer problems?
- Heating element: If your dryer does everything but heat up, there's a good chance that its heating element is the number one suspect. ...
- Thermostat: Dryers have multiple thermostats to monitor internal temperature. ...
- Timer motor: This little device does a big job, regulating how and when power is sent to each component. ...
How do you fix a dryer?
- Unplug your dryer. ...
- Remove the belt from the drive motor and look around the blower wheel for any obstruction that might be impeding the drive motor belt. ...
- You can use a multimeter to test the wire leads connected to the motor if you don’t see an obstruction. ...
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.
How do you diagnose a dryer problem?
0:5836:35Dryer Troubleshooting - Top 10 Dryer Problems - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt could be caused by a rattling vent in the back. If it's not connected securely. Sometimes thisMoreIt could be caused by a rattling vent in the back. If it's not connected securely. Sometimes this can rattle and make a noise that way other times the rollers. If they're not spinning.
What are the most common dryer problems?
6 Common Dryer Problems That Require a Service Call6 Common Dryer Problems That Require a Service Call. ... The Dryer Won't Turn On. ... Excessive Noise is One of the Most Common Dryer Problems. ... Clothing is Still Wrinkled When It Comes Out of the Dryer. ... The Dryer Won't Tumble Correctly. ... The Dryer Isn't Producing Heat.More items...•
How do I get my dryer to work again?
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.
What would cause a dryer to not heat up?
Common reasons for an electric or gas dryer not heating are a tripped circuit breaker, clogged vent, and no gas flow. Other potential reasons include a faulty thermal fuse and broken heating element. If you gather your tools and follow this guide, you may be able to solve basic dryer heating problems on your own.
Why My dryer is not working?
Make sure that your dryer is plugged in and getting power. If the dryer is plugged in but still shows no signs of powering up, check the circuit breaker. If the dryer's circuit is tripped, reset it. If you have an electric dryer, it runs on two circuits: one for the heating element and one for the rest of the dryer.
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 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.
How do I know if my dryer fuse is blown?
1:042:10Dryer Not Heating? Thermal Fuse Testing, Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf the needle does not move or the digital display does not change significantly. There is noMoreIf the needle does not move or the digital display does not change significantly. There is no continuity. Which means the fuse has blown out and will need to be replaced.
Why does my dryer turn on but wont start?
Check if the dryer is plugged in or at least plugged in securely to the outlet. Next, check your breaker box. If the breaker for your dryer is tripped, you will need to flip it back on. If neither of these solves your issue, then you may have an issue with the fuses in the dryer.
How do I test my dryer?
1:128:42How to Check the Power to your Dryer - Not Heating or Not RunningYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's supposed to so the problem is going to be within the dryer if it's not running or if it'sMoreIt's supposed to so the problem is going to be within the dryer if it's not running or if it's running and not heating you're going to bomb inside the dryer not the power coming in the dryer.
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.
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 to replace a dryer timer?
Here's how to test and replace a dryer timer: Step 1: To access the timer, remove the front of the control panel. On some dryers, the timer can be removed without removing the panel.
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.
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 adjust a dryer shutter?
To adjust the shutter, take out the screws and remove the panel that covers the gas flame. Turn on the dryer so the flame is burning. If the flame has a deep blue color and you hear air whistling around the burner, the air/gas mixture is receiving too much air.
What causes a dryer to blow?
Breaks or sags cause undue strain on the dryer's blower system, and can cause drying problems. If the vent pipe or tubing has become clogged with lint, remove the lint by pushing a garden hose or a drain-and-trap auger through the vent to a convenient joint. Disassemble the joint to remove the debris.
Noisy
Noisy dryers can indicate a problem with the drum glides, bearings, or support rollers, among other parts. Use our troubleshooting guide to test each part.
Will not start
Learn how to troubleshoot a dryer that will not start with our repair guide. The source of the issue could be the door switch, thermal fuse, or rotary/push start switch.
No heat or not enough heat
If your dryer won't achieve a high enough temperature to dry clothes, the heating element or high limit thermostat may need replacing. Learn how to test each part here.
Will not tumble
Learn how to fix a dryer that won't tumble with our troubleshooting guide. The source of the issue could be worn parts such as the belt or idler pulley assembly.
Timer will not advance
If your dryer's timer will not advance, it could be a problem with the timer motor or cycling thermostat. Learn how to repair these parts using our troubleshooting guide.
Takes too long to dry
To find out why your dryer is taking too long to dry clothes, start by checking common parts such as the lint filter, blower wheel, coils, and seals.
Too hot
Find out why your dryer is getting too hot with our repair guide. We'll show you how to check the thermostats, thermistor, and exhaust vent for common issues.
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.
What to do if dryer is dead?
If you don’t get continuity, replace the switch. 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.
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.
How do I replace a dryer heating element?
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.
How to use continuity tester?
To use a continuity tester, simply attach the clamp to one contact point and touch the probe to the other. If the light glows, you’ve got continuity. If not, you’ve got trouble.
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.
Can I repair a dryer myself?
Here’s the first thing to know about dryer repair: You can solve most dryer troubles yourself. There’s no need to find a technician, schedule a service call or pay hundreds dollars for dryer repair.
Noisy
Learn how to repair your dryer when it's making noise by troubleshoot common problems and parts like bearings, seals or worn belts.
Will not start
Find out how to fix a dryer that will not start, by checking a few key components, such as the heating element, high limit thermostat, or cycling thermostat.
No heat or not enough heat
When your dryer is not producing any heat or not enough heat to dry clothes, inspect common parts like heating elements or fuses.
Will not tumble
When your dryer won't tumble or turn, looking at common parts to see if they may be worn or defective, like switches or belts.
Timer will not advance
Find out what can cause your dryer's timer to stop advancing by using our list of troubleshooting tips and repair parts like cycling thermostats or timer motors.
Takes too long to dry
If your dryer is taking too long to dry your clothes, troubleshoot common problem parts like coils, thermostats and heating elements.
Will not shut off
Learn how to repair your dryer when it won't shut off, by checking the most common parts that cause this symptom, like door switches or timers.
What to do if clothes aren't drying?
If your clothes aren’t drying as fast as they used to, clean your lint filter. You should also check your dryer’s vent hose for blockages. A build-up of lint, foreign objects or even a bird’s nest could block your vent hose and extend drying time.
Why is my dryer not getting hot?
If your dryer isn’t getting hot but is tumbling, you probably need to call a repairman. The problem could be the thermal fuse, the thermostat, the heating element, the temperature switch, the timer or the power cord. On gas dryers, problems with the burner or igniter could cause cold tumbling.
What could be wrong with my washer?
As with washers, the problem could be the power supply – check your electrical panel and the outlet. A faulty door switch could also be to blame, as could a bad thermal fuse, terminal block, thermostat, or start switch. Call a repairman.
