10
DRYER TROUBLESHOOTING
First try the solutions suggested here and possibly avoid the cost of a service call...
Dryer Operation
Dryer will not run
■
Check the following:
Is the power cord plugged in?
Has a fuse blown, or has a circuit breaker tripped? There
may be 2 fuses or circuit breakers for the dryer. Check to
make sure both fuses are intact and tight, or that both circuit
breakers have not tripped.
Was a regular fuse used? Use a time-delay fuse.
Is the dryer door firmly closed?
Was the Start button firmly pressed?
Is a cycle selected?
No heat
■
Has a fuse blown, or a circuit breaker tripped? Electric
dryers use 2 household fuses or breakers. The drum may be
turning, but you may not have heat.
■
Has an air dry cycle been selected? Select the right cycle
for the types of garments being dried.
■
For gas dryers, is the valve open on the supply line?
Unusual sounds
■
Has the dryer had a period of non-use? If the dryer hasn’t
been used for a while, there may be a thumping sound during
the first few minutes of operation.
■
Is it a gas dryer? The gas valve clicking is a normal operating
sound.
Dryer Results
Clothes are not drying satisfactorily
■
Check the following:
Is the lint screen clogged with lint?
Is the exhaust vent or outside exhaust hood clogged with lint,
restricting air movement? Run the dryer for 5-10 minutes.
Hold your hand under the outside exhaust hood to check air
movement. If you do not feel air movement, clean exhaust
system of lint or replace exhaust vent with heavy metal or
flexible metal vent. See your Installation Instructions.
Is the exhaust vent crushed or kinked? Replace with heavy
metal or flexible metal vent. See your Installation Instructions.
Are fabric softener sheets blocking the grille? Use only one
fabric softener sheet, and use it only once.
■
Is the washer/dryer located in a room with temperature
below 45ºF (7ºC)? Proper operation of dryer cycles requires
temperatures above 45ºF (7ºC).
■
Was a cold rinse water used? Was the load very wet?
Expect longer drying times with items rinsed in cold water and
with items that hold moisture (cottons).
■
Is the load too large and heavy to dry quickly? Separate the
load to tumble freely.
Lint on load
■
Is the lint screen clogged? Clean lint screen. Check for air
movement.
■
Is the load properly sorted? Sort lint givers (towels, chenille)
from lint takers (corduroy, synthetics). Also sort by color.
■
Is the load too big or too heavy? Dry smaller loads so lint
can be carried to the lint screen.
■
Was the load overdried? Use correct dryer settings for load
type. Overdrying can cause lint-attracting static electricity.
See “Dryer Cycle Descriptions” (separate sheet).
■
Was paper or tissue left in pockets?
■
Is pilling being mistaken for lint? Pilling (surface fuzz) is
caused by normal wear and laundering.
Stains on load or color change
■
Was dryer fabric softener properly used? Add dryer fabric
softener sheets at the beginning of the cycle. Fabric softener
sheets added to a partially-dried load can stain your
garments.
■
Were items soiled when placed in the dryer? Items should
be clean before being dried.
■
Were items properly sorted? Sort light colors from dark
colors. Sort colorfast items from noncolorfast items.
Items shrinking
■
Was the dryer overloaded? Dry smaller loads that will tumble
freely.
■
Did the load overdry? Check the manufacturer’s care label.
Match dryer setting to load type.
Loads are wrinkled
■
Was the load removed from dryer at the end of the cycle?
■
Was the dryer overloaded? Dry smaller loads that can
tumble freely.
■
Did the load overdry? Check the manufacturer’s care label.
Match dryer setting to load type.
Odors
■
Have you recently been painting, staining or varnishing in
the area where your washer/dryer is located? If so,
ventilate the area. When the odors or fumes are gone from the
area, rewash and dry the clothing.
■
If the dryer is electric, is it being used for the first time?
The new electric heating element may have an odor. The odor
will be gone after the first cycle.
Garment damage
■
Check the following:
Were zippers, snaps, and hooks left open?
Were strings and sashes tied to prevent tangling?
Were care label instructions followed?
Were items damaged before drying?
