The dryer is probably considered to be one of the most used appliances in the home, and when this particular appliance is having a problem, it will be important for you to know just what to check to get things back in order. Although there are many different brands of dryers that are available, all of them work on the same basic principle. This means, the information provided here should give you a good idea of what to check to make sure your dryer is working at maximum levels, as well as what to check if your dryer doesn’t work at all.
Dryer Does Not Work What Can I Do?
Now, some of the information listed below will sound a little basic, but you will be extremely surprised at how something so simple could be the root of the problem.
1.) Is the Dryer Plugged In?
This is probably very obvious, but you will probably be surprised at how many people call an appliance service center only to find that the machine came unplugged. After paying for a service call, this typical problem will always be the first item checked. Sometimes when moving items in or around the area of the dryer, the electrical plug will come undone. If you are starting a load and after switching it on you hear nothing at all, this will be the first place to check. Always make sure the electrical plug is secure before performing any additional trouble shooting.
2.) Check Fuses or the Circuit Breaker
If you have found that the electrical plug is secure, the next place to check will be the circuit breaker panel. Make sure the circuit breaker that is dedicated to the dryer hasn’t tripped. If it has, simply toggle it back and forth a couple times and leave it in the “on” position. Check the dryer to make sure it is operating properly. If it is, you will want to continue to read to find an underlying issue that may have made the breaker trip, if not, it’s time to check the fuse that is built into the dryer itself.
Most all dryers will have a fuse located in the back panel of the dryer itself. If you are handy with tools and know a little about electrical, you may want to check this area, if not, you may want to call an appliance service center.
3.) Check the Lint Trap and the Dryer Vent
So many times appliance companies will visit a customers home to find that they need their dryer vent cleaning, something they tend not to do themselves. It’s important to understand a couple of important tips about lint trap and your dryer vent. If the lint trap isn’t kept clear, the dryer itself can over-heat causing it to shut down. You also need to look deep down below the lint trap area and try to remove the lint that has escaped the trap. Should the dryer vent becomes to plugged or clogged, you will experience long drying times and excessive lint in the dryer. It is extremely important to check these often to make sure they are clear before you actually run a load of laundry. Your dryer manufacturer will recommend you clean the dryer vent all the way through to the outside vent hood, they also recommend you have the dryer cleaned to remove all the lint that’s inside the dryer. Earlier we talked about the electrical breaker being tripped; in many cases when the dryer overheats, a tripped breaker is normally the result.
Tip: An easy way to determine if your dryer vent is clogged is to disconnect your dryer from the vent and run it, place a panty hose on the end to collect the lint. Note this is just a means to test if the dryer vent is blocked, you should not vent the dryer in the house.
4.) Check the Heating Element
If after checking the items above and you find that the plug is fine, the breaker hasn’t tripped, the lint trap and dryer vent are clear, you may want to check the heating element. When the heating element goes bad, many dryers will simply not work, or they may work but they will not get hot enough to dry clothes. If this is the case, you will surely want to contact an appliance service center to get this problem fixed.
5.) Uneven Loads
There are some instances when laundry loads in the dryer are uneven and miss-proportioned. If this is the case, the dryer will make funny noises, or simply shake violently. It will be important to go in and rearrange your load or take a few items out to make sure the load is balanced properly.
With the information provided above, you will have more than enough knowledge to do a little trouble shooting on your own when it comes to your dryer. If you consistently approach issues that pertain to your dryer using the methods listed above, you will be able to quickly and effectively find the problem areas, fix them, and get back to other important areas of your life.