If your dryer runs, heats and still needs two cycles to dry a normal load, the most likely problem is not the dryer at all. It is the path the hot, wet air takes to get outside.
Restricted airflow also makes the dryer run hot, blows thermal fuses and is a leading cause of dryer fires, so it is worth sorting out properly.
Start with airflow
- Lint screen. Clean it every load. Wash it occasionally with soap and water; dryer sheets leave a film that blocks air even when the screen looks clean.
- The hose behind the dryer. Pull the dryer out. A foil or plastic hose that is crushed, kinked or full of lint cuts airflow in half. Replace plastic or foil with rigid or semi-rigid metal duct.
- The exterior vent. Go outside while the dryer runs. You should feel strong warm air and the flap should open fully. A weak flow or a flap stuck with lint means the duct needs cleaning.
- Long duct runs. Townhouses and rowhouses often have 20 to 30 feet of duct with bends. These need cleaning every year or two.
Then the dryer itself
- Blower wheel. Lint and small items collect in the blower housing and slow the fan.
- Heating element or igniter. An element that has partly failed, or gas valve coils that cut out after a few minutes, produce weak heat. See our dryer not heating guide.
- Moisture sensor. Dirty or failed sensor bars stop the auto-dry cycle from reading the load correctly, so it stops early or runs forever.
- Thermostats. A cycling thermostat that opens too early keeps the heater off for much of the cycle.
Signs the vent is the problem
- The top of the dryer is hot to the touch.
- Clothes are hot but still damp at the end of the cycle.
- There is lint around the exterior vent or on the floor behind the dryer.
- A burning smell during the cycle.
When to call a technician
Call when the screen, hose and exterior vent are clear and the dryer still runs long, or if you cannot reach the duct. We check airflow with the dryer running, clean what we can reach and test the heat and sensor before replacing anything.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most about this problem.
How long should a dryer take?
About 45 minutes to an hour for a normal load on a healthy dryer with a clear vent.
Is a slow dryer dangerous?
A restricted vent is the leading cause of dryer fires. Treat long drying times as a warning, not an inconvenience.
Do you clean dryer vents?
We check and clear the airflow path as part of a dryer diagnosis and will tell you if a full duct cleaning is needed.
Related services
Need a hand with it? Alliance Appliance Services diagnoses first and explains the repair before any work starts. Call (571) 303-8548 or request a repair online. We serve Springfield, Alexandria, Fairfax, Arlington and the surrounding Northern Virginia communities.