Troubleshooting Electric Clothes Dryers
- 1). Check that the dryer's plug is not pullled from the wall outlet. The heavy vibration caused when dryers go through their spin cycles can often pull the plug partially, or even all the way, out of an outlet. If the appliance is plugged in, flip the circuit breaker or check for a blown fuse.
- 2). Pull out the lint filter if you open the dryer to soggy clothes, even after it completes a full cycle. A full lint trap cuts down on a dryer's efficiency.
- 3). Make sure that the door is closing firmly enough to start the door switch. A faulty door switch means the dryer won't start at all, so you may have to replace it. Test the door switch with a continuity tester.
- 4). Test the machine's timer with a multi-tester, after first unplugging the dryer. A faulty timer can cause the dryer not to start at all, as well as causing it to run but not get hot. Testing the timer can also lead to the cause of the dryer refusing to turn off.
- 5). Inspect the clothes dryer's belt if the motor is running but the drum isn't turning. Make sure that the belt is not broken or worn. Look over the surfacer of the idler pulley to see if the belts are in working order. You want to look for signs of wear on the pulley by moving it back and forth. A wobbly idler means a new pulley or at least new washers in the housing bracket.
- 6). Go outside and check that the exhaust duct has not becoming clogged, if you notice that the humidity in the laundry room seems heavier than usual. Holes or clogs in an exhaust duct that has come loose from the dryer can create excess humidity.
- 7). Look at the adjustable feet beneath the dryer when it starts to get noisy. An uneven dryer will make a loud noise, as will putting heavy items, like tennis shoes, inside it. Other potential causes for a noisy dryer include a worn drive belt, an obstructed blower, worn support rollers or drum shaft bearings.
