Do your clothes run for an entire cycle in the dryer but still come out damp?
It can be very annoying, but you don’t have to keep dealing with the hassle.
Here are a few things that you can look out for to assess the mechanical difficulties of your dryer and relieve one major headache from your day.
Check the Thermal Fuse
The thermal fuse is a safety device that keeps the dryer from overheating and is a single use device that has to be replaced once it trips.
These can be tripped when the dryer vent is clogged and not enough heat is released from the unit, so make sure to clean your vents from time to time.
This one is a real simple fix though. If you can find your dryer’s thermal fuse you can test it to make sure it hasn’t blown out and caused your dryer to stop heating.
The fuses are usually positioned on the back of the dryer and behind the back panel but if you’re having issues then consult the dryer’s instruction manual to find the location of the fuse. It will have two metal prongs that are plugged into the dryer.
Always make sure to unplug your dryer before touching any of the electrical parts or wiring when working on your dryer at home.
Once you have found the thermal fuse you can test it by using a multimeter and testing if a current still flows through the fuse.
If it has indeed gone bad then you can bet this is the cause of the dryer not heating. You can find the replacement fuse you need online or take it to your local appliance store and find a replacement usually for under $10.
Is There a Voltage Issue?
The dryer not heating may also be caused by it getting enough voltage to operate the tumbler, but not enough to power the heating element.
Simply check the wall outlet and make sure it’s properly plugged in and that there’s no loose wiring. Try flipping the circuit breakers on and off or, if you have a fuse box, try replacing a bad fuse.
You can also check with a voltmeter that the dryer is getting roughly 240 volts to operate fully.
Broken Thermostat or Heating Element
Most parts on a dryer must be replaced when they go bad and can’t simply be repaired. Once faulty fuses or wiring is ruled out then the chances are one of these two parts have gone bad.
Thermostats are positioned in several locations in the dryer to make sure that the temperature is regulated properly. The heating element is what dries the clothes.
With the proper mechanical skills these can be located and replaced, but if you are unsure about how to do so properly then consider reaching out to your local appliance repair specialist.
Dryer Not Heating Still?
If you’re still having issues then it may be time to turn to the professionals.
With 30 years of servicing dryers and other appliances in the Libertyville, IL area we’ve made it our business to make those appliance annoyances disappear whether they are big or small.
If you ever have issues with dryer repair or with any other appliance don’t hesitate to call us.