Dryer is Not Drying
If you’re finding that your clothes are still wet when they are finished in the dryer, or that your dryer is taking longer than usual to completely dry your laundry, then you have come to the right place. Below you’ll find several parts that are involved in the dryer process, how to test that they are working correctly, and links to purchase replacement parts.
As its name suggests, the heating element is the part in an electric dryer that is responsible for heating up the appliance. Current flows through the metal coils on the part to create heat.
You can also check out Snap Supply’s dryer heating element and thermostat kits. Because the heating element and thermostat work together to heat up the appliance, we typically recommend replacing both at the same time.
How to Troubleshoot a Dryer Heating Element:
Note: this process requires a multimeter
- Disconnect the dryer from its power source.
- Locate and remove the heating element - depending on your model, it will be located behind the dryer drum inside the dryer, or behind a panel at the back of the dryer.
- If the element is visually burned or damaged, it must be replaced.
- If it is not visually damaged, you can test it with the multimeter in the RX1 setting by touching the probes to the element terminals.
- If the multimeter returns a reading of infinity, then the heating element must be replaced
Don’t forget: just because parts look the same does not mean that they are the same. Make sure to use cross reference information and model numbers to confirm compatibility with your dryer.
Find the right heating element for your dryer here!
There are two kinds of thermostats in a dryer: a high limit thermostat and a cycling thermostat. The cycling thermostat tells the heating element when to turn on and when to turn off to maintain the desired temperature. The high limit thermostat turns the heating element off if it gets too hot.
These parts can become damaged over time. If they are damaged, the dryer might have trouble reaching and maintaining the desired temperatures, or it may not heat up at all.
You can also check out Snap Supply’s dryer heating element and thermostat kits. Because the heating element and thermostat work together to heat up the appliance, we typically recommend replacing both at the same time.
How to Troubleshoot Dryer Thermostats:
Note: this process requires a multimeter
- Disconnect the dryer from its power source.
- Find and remove the high limit thermostat - depending on the model, you can usually find it behind the dryer vent at the back of the dryer.
- Find and remove the cycling thermostat - depending on the model, you can usually find it behind the panel at the back of the dryer.
- If you are unsure where the thermostats are, consult your owner’s manual.
- Test the terminals of both thermostat using the multimeters RX1 setting.
- If you do not receive a reading of zero or infinity, you must replace the thermostat.
Don’t forget: just because parts look the same does not mean that they are the same. Make sure to use cross reference information and model numbers to confirm compatibility with your dryer.
Find the right thermostat for your dryer here!
Gas dryers use igniters to heat the gas and heat up the dryer. They use igniters where electric dryers use heating elements. The igniter heats up and ignites the gas from the gas valve.
Because igniters work closely with the gas valve coils to heat up the dryer, Snap Supply offers dryer igniter and gas valve coil kits. When replacing one of these items, it is a good idea to replace both. It is difficult to tell which of them could be the problem, and replacing both at one time is a sure way to remedy igniter/gas valve problems.
How to Troubleshoot an Igniter:
Note: this process requires a multimeter
- Disconnect the dryer from its power source.
- Find and the igniter. It is usually located inside the dryer cabinet.
- If you are unsure where your dryer igniter is located, consult your owner’s manual.
- Remove the igniter - be very careful when handling the igniter. They break very easily, so they must be handled gently.
- Set the multimeter on the lowest setting.
- Test igniter’s terminals with the multimeter.
- If you receive a reading other than 50-400 ohms, you must replace your igniter.
Don’t forget: just because parts look the same does not mean that they are the same. Make sure to use cross reference information and model numbers to confirm compatibility with your dryer.
Find the right igniter for your dryer here!
Gas dryers use valve coils to allow gas to flow into the dryer to generate heat. If these coils are not working as intended then the dryer will not be able to create the heat necessary to dry clothes during the dry cycle. In cases where the dryer’s gas valve coils are not functioning correctly, the dryer may begin to heat at first, but then the clothes in the dryer will still not be dried
Because igniters work closely with the gas valve coils to heat up the dryer, Snap Supply offers dryer igniter and gas valve coil kits. When replacing one of these items, it is a good idea to replace both. It is difficult to tell which of them could be the problem, and replacing both at one time is a sure way to remedy igniter/gas valve problems.
How to Troubleshoot Gas Valve Coils:
Note: this process requires a multimeter
- Disconnect the dryer from its gas hose.
- Disconnect the dryer from its power source.
- Find the gas coil valves - they will most likely be located behind the lower access panel.
- Remove the gas coil valves.
- Use the multimeter’s RX1 setting to test the coil’s terminals for continuity.
- If you receive a reading aside from 1000-2000 ohms, you must replace your gas valve coils.
Don’t forget: just because parts look the same does not mean that they are the same. Make sure to use cross reference information and model numbers to confirm compatibility with your dryer.