Is Your Dryer Not Getting Hot in Berrien County? Here Are The 8 Common Problems

Once upon a time, you would have to rely on time and the power of the sun to dry your clothes. Back before the invention of modern-day appliances, you could spend all day scrubbing stains out of your under shirts, and wait hours for them to dry on a clothesline. Nowadays, it can take as little as a few hours to clean a week's worth of laundry for yourself. Most homes don’t even have a reliable clothesline anymore; they rely on their clothes dryers to get their clothes dry and ready to wear in record time.

But like most appliances, sometimes things can go wrong, and one of the more common issues is that your dryer is not getting hot enough to properly dry your clothes. There are a wide range of reasons for this, stemming from human error, minor issues, or more complicated repairs that require a Berrien County appliance repair specialist to diagnose.

Some of the more common reasons why you’re having to search for ‘dryer not getting hot’ in Berrien County include:

Lint Screen Clogs

Your dryer’s lint screen acts as a filter to catch any lint or debris from your clothes as they dry. A dirty lint screen can cause clothes to take longer to dry, or cause your appliance to not heat properly, leaving you with a load of damp laundry after the cycle is done. Additionally, not cleaning the lint trap regularly can increase the risk of a fire from the lint buildup.

Cleaning the lint screen after every load can help reduce these risks, as it prevents the build-up of debris and improves the efficiency of the appliance. Additionally, regular maintenance such as inspecting your vent system and removing any blockages can further mitigate potential fire hazards.

Dryer Vent Lint Clogs Or Obstructions

Sometimes, lint can get past the screen and into your dryer exhaust vent. Or, something can cause the airflow to be restricted in your dryer duct, leading to a buildup of lint. These lint blockages can result in your dryer not getting hot properly, and they also pose a fire hazard to your home. If accessible, you can use a dryer vent cleaning brush or a dryer vent cleaning kit to remove the excess lint yourself and check for any obstructions. If not, you may need to contact a professional to clean and clear your dryer vent.

Clothes Are Too Wet

The good news with this issue is you don’t have a dryer issue; you have a wet clothes issue. If your laundry is too wet when put in the unit, it will take longer to dry, need more drying cycles, or may not dry at all, no matter how high the dryer temperature settings are.

The likely culprit here is your washing machine. If clothes are very wet after washing, there might be an issue with the spin cycle or drainage system, possibly caused by a malfunctioning belt or clogged drain hose. In this case, you will need to seek a professional for washing machine repairs.

Incompatible Loads

Thanks to modern technology, gone are the days when you had to sort your laundry meticulously by color, to avoid a red sock staining your white sheets pink. It’s not surprising that loads of laundry can now contain many types of items. But, these myriad of things can cause issues with drying. The sensors can detect when lighter items like socks or underwear are completely dry while heavier items like jeans are still wet from washing. This can cause the temperature to go down, leaving your load improperly dried. Additionally, if your dryer load sizes are too large for your appliance, they may not get dried properly.

Try sorting your laundry into like loads, with heavier items making up one load while lighter items create another. This will allow the drying process to run more efficiently and reduce the risk of overloading, ultimately helping to prolong its lifespan.

Improper Settings Or Dryer Mode

Modern dryers have many drying settings that can handle various needs, such as steaming clothes, drying delicate items, or sanitizing loads. These settings have different temperature options. For instance, eco-mode or delicate settings will use less heat, taking longer to or not dry your clothes, as well as heavier settings. If it seems that your dryer isn’t getting hot enough, ensure you are using the right mode or settings for your laundry load.

Door Not Closing Properly

Although most dryers won’t run if the door is open, issues with the door latch or door seal may prevent the door from closing properly, causing your unit to lose valuable heat needed to properly dry your clothes. If this is the case, consult a professional for a repair service to replace the faulty door latch or seal. Ignoring this issue can lead to longer drying times and potentially higher energy costs.

Power Issues

Laundry appliances use a lot of power, so a power problem might prevent your unit from drying clothes effectively.

An electric unit needs 240 volts to heat and run properly, while a gas unit requires a gas connection for heating and needs 120 volts for running other components. If they don’t have sufficient power, they may not be able to effectively dry clothes or generate enough heat. This can result in longer drying times and potentially damp laundry at the end of a dryer cycle.

If your dryer isn’t getting hot, you can troubleshoot this issue by checking to make sure your unit has enough power or if a circuit breaker has tripped, but if you have an issue with the power source, you should leave the repair to the experts, as tampering with electrical or gas components can be dangerous and void any warranties on the appliance. It's always best to consult a professional for any repairs involving electrical or gas systems.

Heat-Production Issues

Whether you have a gas or electric dryer, sometimes a dryer not getting hot is the cause of faulty components. On electric units, this could mean a faulty heating element, thermal fuse, or thermostat. While on a gas dryer, a lack of heat could be caused by a faulty igniter, radiant flame sensor, or gas valve solenoid.

If any of the above-mentioned parts are the cause, you will need to call a professional appliance repair service to have your appliance inspected and repaired. Attempting to fix faulty flame sensors or broken heating elements yourself may cause further damage and could potentially be dangerous.

Dryer Not Getting Hot in Berrien County? Contact Mr. Appliance Today!

While homeowners can consult their user manual and troubleshoot some problems by checking vents, loading the machine differently, or adjusting the settings, some issues may require professional maintenance. Our experts strongly advise against attempting DIY repairs, as repairing an appliance yourself can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing, and you can cause further damage to the machine while you’re at it.

That’s why the experts at Mr. Appliance of Berrien County are highly trained in a wide range of appliance repairs and part replacements. From refrigerator repair and oven repair to washing machine repair and dryer repair, our team is equipped to handle any appliance issue you may encounter. So if you’re having issues with your dryer not getting hot, contact us and schedule your service to get your appliance running smoothly again.