Common Questions About Clothes Dryers

We often get alot of calls about problems with clothes dryers. Here are some of the most common questions we hear and some answers that may help:

Q: My dryer works fine for a few minutes and then shuts itself off like it overheated. Is this a heater problem, thermostat, or fuse?

A: It is possible that the dryer is overheating. Most dryers bring fresh air in through the front of the dryer. Make sure that there is nothing blocking the intake. Some dryers feature load detector sensors. If you have one and the dryer is tilted to the rear, the no-load sensor may turn the dryer off. The remedy for this problem is to make sure the dryer is level from front to back and from side to side. The redeeming value of this feature is that when it is working properly, you can save energy and reduce wear and tear to the dryer.

Q: Why does my dryer do nothing when I turn it on?

A: Plug something else into the same outlet. If it works, you know you have power to the dryer. If it doesn' t work, you'll need to check for any blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers. Electric dryers should have the wiring checked at the terminal block to make sure that the connection is good, or to verify that the connection is burnt out.

If the power is there, you will want to check the door switch, thermal fuse, thermostats, and start switch to see if one of these is faulty. Make sure that the control settings are appropriate, and that any buttons are fully depressed. Make sure that the start button has been fully pushed down or turned far enough to activate the dryer.

The door or lid switch performs two main functions. When the dryer door is open, it keeps the dryer from starting, and turns on the light. If the door switch is faulty, your dryer won't work, and you'll need to replace the switch. The door switch is located inside of your dryer's main housing right by the door frame. You'll probably need to access this switch through the top or front of your dryer.

There may also be a problem with the start switch. Test and replace if it is faulty.

Many dryers use what's called a thermal fuse. This is often mounted within the exhaust duct in the back panel. This fuse is about an inch long, and is usually found within a white plastic housing. Your dryer will not operate if this fuse is defective. You can test this fuse, and if faulty, replace it.

Most fuses have a thin wire that conducts electricity. When fuses blow, it means the wire is broken, they have no continuity and no power will flow through it. When this happens to the thermal fuse, your dryer either doesn't work at all, or it stops heating. Give your vent and heating system a visual check before you replace this fuse.

You will also want to test each thermostat to determine if any one is faulty. A bad thermostat may prevent your dryer from working at all.

To see more common questions about dryers, click here.

To read about how clothes dryers work, click here.

And finally, if you have a question that you haven't found the answer to, try posting in AP Wagner's Appliance Repair Forum. There are often several service guys on the boards that can help!