3 Reasons Your
Dryer Isn't Heating
Or Isn't Drying
There’s nothing like the feeling of putting on warm clothes straight from the dryer. But it can’t happen if your dryer isn’t heating or drying.
Let us help you figure out how to get that fresh-from-the-dryer feeling again.
3 reasons your dryer isn’t heating
1. Power supply or gas supply
For an electric dryer, be sure you’re using a 240-volt power supply. For gas dryers, make sure the dryer is connected to the gas supply and the shut-off valve is open. See diagram.
2. Lint screen
A dirty lint screen can cause problems, which is why it should be cleaned after every load. Look for yours on the top of the dryer or in the door opening, and pull it out to swipe away lint with your finger. If there’s detergent residue on your lint screen, you’ll need to scrub it away with hot water, liquid detergent, and a nylon brush. Find more information on how to clean your lint screen here.
3. Vent
A few things to check here:
- Is your vent made of rigid or flexible metal? Rigid metal will help your dryer achieve its optimal performance.
- Is it 4 inches in diameter? A larger or smaller diameter will hinder good air movement and cause longer drying times.
- Is it clogged with lint? Vents should be cleaned every year. See the illustration below for instructions.
Internal
After disconnecting existing dryer vent from old dryer, vacuum lint and debris from both ends of
vent.*
External
Shown with exhaust hood removed.
Remove exhaust hood. Vacuum lint and debris from exhaust hood and where vent attaches to hood.*
3 reasons your dryer isn’t drying
1. The setting
Try Auto Dry instead of Timed Dry. Auto Dry senses when the load is dry and doesn’t stop until it is.
2. Venting needs cleaning
Venting should be cleaned yearly. If your dryer is connected to old house venting, you’ll likely need to
clean the venting before it will run at its optimal performance.
3. Obstructed vent
Venting that leads to the outside may not just be dirty, it may be obstructed. Make sure the vent material
is not crushed or kinked. See how to check for crushed venting here.
You can do a preliminary check for vent obstructions yourself, but it’s recommended that a professional vent cleaning service is called in once a year to clean the vent and also identify and fix obstructions.
*Whirlpool recommends using professional or qualified cleaning services. Improper venting will negatively impact drying time and energy efficiency
Regular checks and dryer vent cleaning will:
- Increase airflow
- Decrease drying times
- Reduce energy costs
Still not drying?
You may need a professional repair. Or, if your dryer is more than 10 years old, it might be time for a replacement. Amana has some great dryer features – check them out.
