What is the main issue that causes a clothes dryer to stop drying correctly?

Question

Just a couple of days ago I realized my dryer was not drying my clothes in one cycle. Now I am having to do at least three cycles to get our clothes dry. Can anyone tell me from experience what could be causing this to happen? Thanks!

Answer 1

It's probably the element or a thermostat.  Dryers have a number of small thermostats and safeties that can fail.  Other times it can be a wire terminal that has failed due to heat.  Usually some electrical tests must be done to pinpoint the problem.

Answer 2

the heater in the dryer may be broken or going low.

you might also have something stuck in it from a previous load, like a button or something in your pocket

Answer 3

It could be excess lint in the line, a restricted vent cover, issues with the belt,  if it is an electric dryer, a bad element, a burnt/broken wire that powers the element or the timer.   Electric dryers are 220 volt and a fuse could be blown or a circuit breaker tripped allowing only 110 volts to get to the dryer which could allow the dryer to run, but not heat properly.  Gas dryers could have a bad gas valve.

Answer 4

Before investing in costly repairs, remove the lint trap.  Even if it looks clean it may have a film on it from fabric softener - run water over it - if the water pools up, take an old toothbrush to it to remove that film.  Then check your vent behind the dryer - often that will fill up with lint that wasn't caught in the filter.  That is usually what starts the problem of poor drying, leading to the machine over-working and burning out parts.

We have our vent cleaned every 2 years.

Answer 5

Try cleaning out the blower and outlet, making sure theres no lint clogged up.   Usually somethings plugged and it should work normally when its cleaned out.   If that doesnt work, the thermostat may need replaced.

Answer 6

Honestly, it is usually a belt that is inside the dryer that might be going, causing the dryer not to spin as fast and dry them all the way thru. OR there is a heater core inside it that makes it dry clothes, and that could be broke too (either or, probably not both)

Answer 7

you need a new heating element

Answer 8

Clean deep in the lint holder thingy with one of those special brushes. I need to do that on mine too because it takes two cycles, I've just been putting it off....