Signs your dryer needs repair: slow drying, no heat, noise and smells

Knowing when a dryer needs repair is easier than it sounds, because dryers rarely die suddenly. They give warnings, and the most common warning is that clothes take longer to dry. Some symptoms mean a clogged vent that you can clear yourself. Others mean a failed part, or a safety problem where you should stop using the machine.

Clothes take two cycles to dry

This is the classic sign that a dryer needs repair, but it is usually airflow rather than a failed part. Check in this order:

1. Lint screen. Clean it, then wash it with soap and water. A film from dryer sheets blocks the mesh.
2. Outside vent hood. With the dryer running, you should feel strong, steady air with the flap fully open. Weak air means a clog.
3. Duct behind the dryer. Look for a crushed, kinked or lint-packed duct. Unplug the dryer first, and leave gas connections alone.
4. Load size. A dryer packed full cannot dry anything quickly. A single huge item such as a comforter also wraps up in a ball.
5. Washer spin. If the clothes come out of the washer soaking, the dryer has to do more work. A washer that is not spinning properly can look like a dryer problem. See washer stops spinning.

If air flow is strong at the outside vent and drying is still slow, the cause is probably heat: see the next section. Humid weather can add a little time to a cycle, but it does not turn a good dryer into a bad one, so do not let it be the excuse for a dryer that now takes twice as long.

The dryer tumbles but gives no heat

An electric dryer needs two things to make heat: 240 volts and a working heating element, with the safety fuse and thermostats intact. A half-working electric dryer often has only one of the two legs of power, which means it tumbles but has little or no heat, and that can mean a tripped breaker, which is a double breaker in the panel. Check the breaker first. If a breaker is fine, the usual causes are a burned-out element, a blown thermal fuse, or a failed thermostat. A gas dryer might lack heat because of an igniter or valve problem. In that case the dryer needs repair by a technician.

The key point: a thermal fuse blows because the dryer overheated, which is usually a blocked vent. Replacing the fuse without clearing the vent means it will blow again. Never bypass it. See dryer overheating and fire prevention.

It runs very hot, or the clothes smell scorched

That is a vent restriction, or an element that is stuck on. Stop using the dryer until the vent is checked. A burning smell, hot casing or visible smoke means switch it off and unplug it.

Strange noises

• Thumping that repeats with each turn of the drum. A worn drum support roller or a flat spot on a belt.
• Squealing. A worn idler pulley or motor bearing, or drum rollers that have dried out.
• Scraping or rumbling. A worn drum glide, or something, such as a coin or underwire, caught between the drum and the cabinet.
• Rattling. Loose items in the drum, or a loose panel.

Noises do not fix themselves. A dryer needs repair for a worn roller or pulley long before it fails, and the noise usually gets louder. If the drum has stopped turning altogether, see dryer drum repair.

It will not start

Check the cord, the breaker, and that the door is shut tightly. A door switch that no longer registers the door stops the dryer. If it hums but the drum does not turn, the belt may be broken. If there is no sound at all, it could be the start switch, thermal fuse (on some models the fuse also cuts power to the motor), or the control. If none of those checks change anything, the dryer needs repair.

It stops mid-cycle

Possible causes include overheating cutouts, a moisture sensor that thinks the clothes are dry, or a failing motor. If the dryer stops and restarts after a cool-down, the safety device is doing its job, and the airflow needs fixing.

When your dryer needs repair and when to stop

A clean vent, fresh duct and a sensor wipe-down cost only time. A failed heating element, belt, roller or thermal fuse is a common, repairable job on most dryers. Whether it makes sense to repair an older dryer depends on the cause and the age of the machine. A technician can tell you whether the dryer needs repair or only a vent cleaning during the visit, and you can decide from there.

Stop using the dryer if

• There is a burning smell, smoke or sparks.
• The breaker trips repeatedly.
• The casing is hot to the touch.
• You smell gas on a gas dryer. Leave the house, avoid switches and flames, and call the gas utility.

If your dryer needs repair, our dryer repair page covers what we service. For fire-safety background, see the National Fire Protection Association’s dryer safety tips.

If you would rather have a technician look at it, book at /book/ or call (916) 582-7791 and ask for the next available window. The service call is $80, paid at your home or with PayPal or a credit card.

Common questions

Why does my dryer take so long to dry clothes?

Most often airflow is restricted by a clogged lint screen or vent duct. If airflow is good, a weak heating element or a failing thermostat may be the cause.

My dryer runs but is not heating. What should I check first?

Check that the breaker has not tripped, especially the double breaker on an electric dryer, and clear the vent. A blown thermal fuse or burned-out element is the next likely cause.

Is a dryer that squeals dangerous?

Not immediately, but the cause, such as a worn pulley or roller, will get worse and can stop the drum or break the belt. Get it looked at.

Can humid weather make a dryer slow?

A little, but not twice as slow. If drying times have jumped, look for a vent restriction.