Dryer Taking Too Long to Dry? Start With the Vent
Why dryers take two or three cycles to dry clothes, how to check the lint screen and vent, and when the problem is a heating part that needs repair.
If a normal load needs two or three cycles, the dryer is usually telling you one of two things: the air cannot get out, or the heat is not getting in. The first one is often something you can fix yourself.
Clean the lint screen every load
A full lint screen slows airflow on every load. Dryer sheets can also leave an invisible film on the mesh. Once a month, wash the screen with warm soapy water and a soft brush, then let it dry fully before putting it back.
Check the vent run
Lint builds up inside the duct between the dryer and the outside wall. Signs of a clogged vent include:
- Clothes come out hot but still damp
- The top of the dryer or the laundry room feels unusually hot
- The outside vent flap barely opens while the dryer is running
- A burning smell during a cycle
Pull the dryer out, disconnect the duct and clean it with a vent brush kit. Clear the outdoor hood too. Thin foil or vinyl accordion ducts trap lint and crush easily; rigid or semi-rigid metal duct is the safer choice. Clogged vents are a well-known cause of dryer fires, so this is worth doing at least once a year.
Load size and settings
Overloading leaves no room for air to move. Mixing heavy towels with light shirts also confuses moisture sensors and ends cycles early. Dry similar fabrics together and use a sensor or automatic dry setting.
When it is a part, not the vent
If the vent is clear and the dryer still runs long or blows cool air, a heating component has likely failed. On electric dryers that is often the heating element, thermal fuse or thermostat. On gas dryers it is often the igniter or the gas valve coils. These repairs need testing with a meter and should be done by a technician.
If you ever smell gas near a gas dryer, do not use any switches or the dryer. Leave the house and call your gas utility from outside.
Need a technician? $115 service call, free when we complete the repair. Open daily 8am–8pm.