Have you ever had to hang your clothes out on a line? For most people, the mere idea of hang-drying clothes is wholly unappealing, but if your dyer has ever stopped working, you know the tedium of old-fashioned air drying. Not only is air-drying clothes inconvenient, it’s also incredibly time-consuming. And if you have a family’s worth of dirty clothes, a non-functional dryer is simply unacceptable. At G&G Appliance Service in New York State, we know how frustrating a malfunctioning clothes dryer can be. Today, we’re giving you the rundown on some of the most common dryer issues we see and what might be causing them. Take a look.
Your Dryer Does Not Produce Warm Air
A dryer that tumbles but does not produce heat may be due to a handful of issues. Because locating the source of the problem is a complex process that almost always requires dismantling the machine, you should contact a professional. Some of the most common causes of a dryer blowing cool air include:
● Insufficient Voltage. If the heating element does not receive adequate power, it cannot produce heat. Check your circuit breaker to ensure it is still in the “on” position. If your home has a fuse box rather than a circuit breaker panel, you may have a blown fuse.
● Defective Thermostat. To determine if the thermostat is causing the issue, test it using a multimeter. If the reading is unusually high, have a professional replace the thermostat.
● Defective Heating Element. Locating your dryer’s heating element requires disassembling the machine. You can test the element using a multimeter, but gaining access to it can be a hassle. Call an appliance repair professional to inspect and test the machine. Since a heating element cannot be repaired, you’ll need to have it replaced.
● Faulty Thermal Fuse. To determine if a blown thermal fuse is preventing your dryer from heating up, you’ll need to dismantle the machine. If you know how to safely open up the cabinet, you can examine the fuse, but if your dryer is still under warranty, don’t attempt a DIY repair—you’ll void the warranty and possibly cause further operational issues.
Your Dryer Overheats
An overheating dryer is usually due to restricted airflow, but excessive heat may also be the result of a defective cycling thermostat or a malfunctioning heating element. To rule out restricted airflow, try cleaning the lint trap to see if that remedies the problem. If that approach is unsuccessful, test the thermostat using a multimeter to determine if it is receiving adequate power flow. If the multimeter reads “0,” the thermostat is fine; if it reads high, you should replace it.
Finally, a warped heating element can pump excessive heat into the dryer drum, especially if it touches any of the dryer’s other components. If you believe your overheating dryer is due to anything other than lint buildup, you should contact a dryer repair service to examine your machine and locate the source of the problem.
Your Dryer Doesn’t Power On
If your dryer won’t turn on, the first thing you should check is the circuit breaker. If there’s been a power surge or the circuit overloaded during operation, the breaker will trip and cut power to the appliance. If the circuit is still on, however, you should contact a professional. Besides a tripped circuit, a defective power cord or a broken door switch can also cause the dryer to cease operating. Because one or more of the appliance’s components must be replaced to restore functionality, a professional dryer repair service is recommended.
Your Dryer Operates Louder Than Usual
If your dryer makes loud rumbling noises, squealing sounds, thumping, or squeaking, it’s time to call an appliance repair company. Several defective components may contribute to an overly noisy dryer, including:
● A clogged blower wheel
● Worn dryer slides
● A defective dryer belt
● Worn drum rollers
Because locating the source of the issue often requires dismantling the dryer, it’s best to have a professional take care of the problem. Plus, if your dryer is still under warranty, you’ll void your coverage if you attempt to disassemble the dryer and fix the issue yourself.
You Smell Something Burning During Operation
If you ever smell something burning while your dryer is running, turn off the appliance immediately. A burning smell emanating from your dryer is a glaring fire hazard, so safety first. After you’ve shut off the power, only then should you begin poking around to locate the problem.
One of the most common causes of burning odors during dryer operation is lint buildup inside the machine. While you can easily clean the lint trap and vacuum the exhaust hose and outside dryer vent, lint inside the machine usually calls for professional removal. If you’ve cleaned the dryer components you can easily access, and you still smell something burning, call an expert. A professional dryer repair service can safely disassemble your dryer and remove lint buildup deep within the machine.
Your Dryer Drum Doesn’t Rotate
If your dryer drum won’t rotate, and you’ve made sure the appliance is plugged in, the issue could be due to one of several factors:
● Defective Drive Belt. If the drive belt that rotates the dryer drum is broken, it cannot force the drum to move. To determine if the belt is the issue, try rotating the drum by hand. If you feel resistance, the belt is likely intact. If the drum moves freely, the belt is probably the issue, and you’ll need to have it replaced by a dryer repair service.
● Defective Drum Bearing. If the drum bearing becomes worn, it cannot support the rear of the dryer drum as it should. This can put extra strain on the drum motor, overloading the machine and causing it to cease spinning. If you attempt to turn the drum by hand and it feels unusually difficult to turn, the bearing is probably the issue. Call an appliance repairman to replace it.
● Worn Drum Rollers. Drum rollers support the dryer drum and help it rotate smoothly. When the rollers wear out, the motor must sustain extra stress, which will cause it to shut down. If you suspect worn drum rollers, remove the drive belt and try turning the drum manually. If it doesn’t easily spin, the rollers are most likely worn. You should replace all of the rollers at the same time. Depending on your unit, you may have up to four rollers—two in the back and two in the front.
Got a Defective Dryer? Contact G&G Appliance Service
At G&G Appliance Service, we’ve been repairing clothes dryers for over 20 years, and in that time, we’ve dealt with just about every dryer problem in the book. Our highly experienced technicians, advanced tools, and flat-fee repair services have made us a go-to choice for residents throughout New York State. For questions about our repair services or to schedule an appointment, contact our team at 718-848-2100. For convenience, feel free to schedule your repair service online.