Struggling with a dryer not heating in Kalamazoo? This problem is more than just an inconvenience; the machine has one job to do! Despite being a household staple, clothes dryers are not immune to issues. Over time, these machines can develop problems that may hinder their functionality. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the common components of a dryer that may lead to issues. This may include the power source, the lint screen, and the heating element. If your dryer is still not heating after following these instructions, it's time to get in touch with a Kalamazoo appliance repair professional for expert repair.
Is Your Dryer Not Heating? Learn About the Common Reasons Why Your Dryer is Acting Up
There are many reasons a dryer may not be heating. We’ll look at the more common ones and what you can do about them at home. If you’ve gone through all these recommendations and your dryer still won’t heat, don’t hesitate to get professional dryer repair service from your local Kalamazoo appliance expert. Now, let’s go over these reasons and get your dryer back up and running!
The Dryer Vent is Obstructed
Problem: The dryer vent is one of the first places to check when your dryer isn’t heating. A clogged vent can hinder proper airflow in your dryer, leading to operational problems. Proper venting is essential for ensuring efficient drying of wet clothes in a clothes dryer. When clothes are tumbled, steam is generated, and it is crucial to allow this steam to escape from the appliance. Failing to vent the steam can lead to prolonged drying times. To prevent this, a venting system must be installed that allows steam to flow from the dryer to the exterior of the home without obstructions.
Solution: Before calling for service, check your house vent for obstructions, such as lint, and ensure there are no kinks. Take the time to thoroughly clean the entire length of the vent, from the back of the dryer to where it exits your home. To clean your dryer vent effectively, disconnect the vent hose from the back of the dryer. After that, give it a thorough shake to remove any accumulated debris. It's crucial to evaluate whether professional dryer-vent cleaning services are necessary. Our strong recommendation is to clean your dryer vent hoses annually to reduce the risk of house fires.
The Lint Screen is Clogged
Problem: The next common cause of your dryer not heating is a clogged lint trap, so check there next. A screen with lint buildup will increase your appliance's drying time. Cleaning the dirty lint screen after each use is crucial because excess lint buildup can obstruct airflow and strain the heating system.
Solution: Find the lint screen at the top of the dryer or in the door opening and remove it. Open the lint screen if necessary, then remove the lint. Close the lint trap and push it back into place. For cleaning after each load, don't rinse the screen with water, since wet lint is very difficult to remove.
To ensure optimal performance, it is strongly advised to conduct a thorough cleaning of your lint trap at least twice a year. For the best results, use a durable nylon brush in conjunction with hot water and liquid detergent. Vigorously scrub both sides of the screen, then rinse it meticulously with hot water. Finally, diligently dry the screen to culminate the cleaning process.
Shortage of Power
Next, we've got to check the power supply. There are two directions for our next step, depending on the type of dryer you have—gas or electric.
Problem for Electric Dryers: These dryers require a 240-volt circuit to function. If your dryer is connected to an outlet that supplies less than 240 volts, it won't be able to power your unit. If you're unsure whether your wall outlet carries this voltage, consult a certified electrician for verification.
Problem for Gas Dryers: To supply gas to the dryers, open the valve by turning the handle parallel to the gas pipe. If the valve is closed, the dryer drum will operate but won't generate heat. Consult your appliance guide for precise instructions on verifying the power supply to your appliance.
Solution for Electric Dryers: Ensure your wall outlet delivers at least 240 volts. Additionally, double-check that your dryer's circuit breakers have not been tripped. To do so, unplug the dryer, reset both circuit breakers, and then plug it back in.
Solution for Gas Dryers: Inspect the dryer supply line and ensure the gas valve is positioned parallel to the gas pipe for proper operation.
Too Large a Load
Problem: Next, you may need to think back to why your dryer is not heating. Regulating the load size that you're putting into your dryer is important because when your load is too large, hot air can't circulate or distribute evenly through the machine. Large loads also tend to clump together, so they can't tumble. Inadequate airflow directly affects drying time, increasing strain on the heating system.
Solution: Empty the dryer and check if any clothes have dried. Ensure you fill the dryer drum only about 3/4 full. If you have a front-load dryer and can see your clothing, be sure to give it enough space to tumble.
Too Wet Clothes
Problem: When you put soaking-wet clothes in the dryer, it can cause excessive moisture in the drum, making it difficult to dry properly. This can sometimes give the impression that your dryer is not functioning properly due to a mechanical problem.
Solution: Before putting your clothes in the dryer, manually check their moisture level. If they are still excessively wet, run a spin cycle in your washer to remove excess water from the load. When loading wet items into the dryer, be sure to wring them out by hand or use a washer's spin cycle to remove excess water.
Broken Heating Element
Problem: Electric dryers use a heating element to warm the air inside the drum, while gas dryers employ a burner. If any damage occurs to these heating systems, your dryer may be unable to provide heat.
Solution: To ensure proper operation and repair of dryer heating elements, seek professional assistance if previous DIY attempts fail to restore heat to your appliance.
The Thermal Fuse
Problem: Dryers must have a thermal fuse in order to prevent household fires from happening. However, thermal fuses are a one-time device. If the temperature gets too high in the dryer, the fuse is activated and shuts down the dryer completely. When the thermal fuse is activated, replacement is required before using the dryer again.
Solution: Contact your local Kalamazoo appliance repair professional for assistance. Replacing and inspecting the thermal fuses requires disassembling the machine.
Should You Tackle a DIY Fix for Your Dryer?
It can be frustrating when your dryer isn't drying your clothes properly, and you're stuck hanging everything you own. You should be able to rely on the dry cycle to get the job done right and without fail. However, that scenario is in a perfect world, and the reality of homeownership and even renting is that your appliances will break down over time, and you will find yourself in need of help.
DIY repairs are something that people lean heavily into because most people don't want to pay for the costs of getting an appliance repair expert to come in, diagnose the issue, order parts, and then charge for time and labor. It can seem daunting and heavy on the wallet to have this happen to you, and you might be thinking that you've got a pretty good idea what caused the dryer to quit working. We want to caution you that what you think might be the issue isn't necessarily the problem and that it's sometimes best to leave these things to the professionals.
So when should you DIY and when should you call a pro? If your dryer not heating up is caused of a buildup of lint, this is something you can remedy on your own. You'll want to vacuum out all the lint the best you can and then try a cycle again. If this doesn't fix the issue, you'll likely find yourself in need of our experts.
You should never try to fix your appliance yourself if you are unfamiliar with the operations of your dryer and the unique set of needs it has. There are a lot of reasons why your dryer might not be working, and your dryer problems often need professional repairs.
What to Expect with a Professional Dryer Repair
With Mr. Appliance of Kalamazoo, you can get peace of mind knowing we will get your dryer running again in no time. When your dryer will not heat, you can be facing a number of issues, from blown circuit breakers to operating the dryer, a faulty thermal fuse, and many other issues. Our team will gladly come diagnose and repair your dryer, along with providing you with some helpful troubleshooting tips, so that you know how to handle minor issues without having to call us back in.
Whether you own a Whirlpool, LG, GE, or Maytag dryer, you can expect our team to arrive on time, equipped with a van full of tools and replacement parts as needed. There are many reasons your dryer may not be heating your clothes or drying them properly, and our dedicated team will ensure you get optimal results and long-lasting repairs.
With our transparent pricing and friendly service, you won't have to feel stressed about the cost of your repairs or how to prevent the dryer from overheating and creating a house fire. Our local team will take care of you and your needs.
Dryer Not Heating Still? Let Mr. Appliance of Kalamazoo Check It Out for You
If your gas or electric dryer is still not heating after taking these troubleshooting steps, don't hesitate to reach out to Mr. Appliance of Kalamazoo. One of our appliance experts can be there as soon as possible to scope out the problem and apply repair solutions right away. Our team has over 15 years of experience, so we guarantee that we'll be able to find the problem and implement the right solution.
Contact our excellent customer service team today to schedule your appointment at your earliest convenience. We proudly serve the residents of Kalamazoo and the surrounding neighborhoods of Otsego, Mattawan, Portage, and beyond.
