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5 Common Dryer Problems You Shouldn't Ignore

by Reyna Thomas

It's always a pain when one of your appliances breaks down, especially when it's something you use nearly every day. If your dryer is giving you problems, don't wait to fix it. Using a dryer with broken components can lead to further damage! In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most common dryer problems we encounter, what’s causing them, and when to call for help. Don't try to do it yourself if you're not sure what you're doing - call a professional appliance repair service instead!

1. The Dryer Makes Strange Noises

Do you hear strange noises when you run your dryer? Every machine typically produces a harmless hum as it completes its cycle; this sound shouldn't cause concern.

However, if you begin to hear loud, squeaky, or excessive noise in addition to that regular hum, you probably have a faulty dryer on your hands, and it could be a sign that something is wrong with the motor or bearings. Don't ignore this problem - call a professional appliance repair service to have them take a look at it. Trying to use it while broken can lead to even more damage and be a possible wiring hazard, resulting in a higher repair bill! We want to help you avoid that.

sad woman in front of dryer

2. Dryer Runs but Never Heats Up

When the dryer simply won't heat up (especially when set to high heat) and leaves your clothes wet and cold, you have a problem on your hands. Your dryer not heating up could be due to a number of different issues, primarily the thermal fuse malfunctioning, so it's best to call your local appliance repair to help you fix your problem. They will be able to determine whether it's an issue with the thermal fuse, thermostat, or something else entirely.

3. Dryer Shuts Off Quickly/Doesn’t Shut Off When It Should

The majority of dryers have a moisture and heat sensor, which helps them determine how long to run and when your garments are fully dry. On occasion, this sensor may malfunction, causing the dryer to shut off too soon. If this is the case, you might need to get new sensors installed so that the machine can gauge how dry the clothing is more accurately. Alternatively, if the sensor is faulty, it could also trigger your dryer to keep going even after your clothes are done drying, leading to your clothes getting damaged from the excessive heat.

And sometimes, the sensor isn't the issue; instead, it might be the power supply, heating element, or thermostat that needs to be examined. The best thing you can do to avoid these kinds of problems is to get your machine serviced by a professional on a regular basis to keep it in peak condition!

woman troubled by broken dryer

4. Clothes Still Wrinkly

When you open your dryer after it has finished running and find that everything is dry yet wrinkled, something is wrong. A few creases are to be expected, especially if the clothing was left in the dryer after the cycle was finished. But with a working dryer, you should expect that your clothing will finish at least semi-pressed. The heating element is typically the cause of this problem and is something a professional will have to go in and replace.

technician inspecting and fixing a dryer

5. Clothes Don't Fully Dry

Another sign your dryer isn’t operating correctly is if the dryer cycle is complete and the clothes are still damp. And at that point, the machine is essentially unusable, leaving you in an inconvenient situation to clean your clothes.

This occasionally happens when the lint filter is overstuffed, which prevents the air from moving and drying the clothing. The simple solution is to clean the filter more frequently to prevent buildup. This is also a critical safety measure to prevent fires. However, if the lint filter has been cleaned and the clothes still come out wet, the venting system, temperature gauge, or heating element of the dryer may also be malfunctioning, which generally requires the expertise of a pro.

Appliance technician checking the lint trap on a dryer

These are just some of the most common dryer problems that appliance repair services see on a regular basis. If you're having any issues with your dryer, don't wait to call a professional - the sooner you get it fixed, the better! And luckily for you, you’ve found the best local appliance repair with Culligan of Le Mars! Our service technicians are trained and experienced in dealing with all sorts of appliance problems, so you can rest assured that your dryer is in good hands. Give us a call if you have any questions or schedule an appointment today!