Dryer Takes Too Long to Dry: Fixes

Quick answer: A dryer that needs two or three cycles to finish a load is usually held back by restricted airflow: a clogged lint screen, a crushed or lint-packed vent duct, or a blocked outside vent flap. Overloading, clothes that come out of the washer too wet, and dirty moisture sensors are also common causes. When airflow is clear, a weak heating element, gas valve coil or failing thermostat may be reducing heat.

Why airflow matters more than heat

A dryer works by heating air, pulling it through the tumbling clothes, and pushing the moist air outside. If the air cannot leave, moisture stays in the drum and the clothes stay damp, even when the dryer is producing plenty of heat. In fact, a blocked vent often makes the dryer feel hot on the outside while drying poorly on the inside.

Restricted airflow is also a fire risk, because lint collects near the heat source. That is why long drying times should be taken seriously rather than just tolerated.

Check the lint screen and vent

Unplug the dryer, or for a gas dryer, unplug it and leave the gas supply alone.

Lint screen. Clean it before every load. If you use dryer sheets, wash the screen with warm water and a brush now and then, since a waxy film can block air even when no lint is visible.
Lint screen housing. Use a narrow vacuum attachment to clear lint that has fallen into the slot below the screen.
Vent duct behind the dryer. Pull the dryer out and look at the duct. It should not be crushed, kinked or sagging. Flexible foil or plastic ducts trap lint and crush easily; rigid or semi-rigid metal duct is the safer choice.
Outside vent hood. With the dryer running, go outside and feel the vent. You should feel strong, warm airflow and see the flap open. A weak puff, a stuck flap, or a bird nest means the vent needs cleaning.

Long duct runs, many elbows, and vents that exit through the roof are more prone to buildup. A professional dryer vent cleaning service can clear the full length.

Load size, washer spin and settings

Overloading. Clothes need room to tumble. A drum packed tightly dries slowly and unevenly.
Very small loads. On sensor dry cycles, a few items may not touch the moisture sensors enough, causing the cycle to end early or run oddly.
Washer spin speed. If clothes come out of the washer dripping, the dryer has much more work to do. Use a higher spin speed when the fabric allows, and check that the washer is draining properly.
Cycle choice. Low heat and delicate settings take longer by design. Make sure an eco or low-heat option has not been left on.
Heavy items. Towels and jeans dry slower than mixed loads. Drying them separately can help.

Clean the moisture sensor bars

Most modern dryers have two metal strips inside the drum, usually near the lint screen opening. Wet clothes touching both strips tell the dryer moisture is still present. Over time, fabric softener and dryer sheet residue coat them, and the dryer may misjudge when the load is done.

With the dryer unplugged, wipe the strips with a soft cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol or warm soapy water, then dry them. Do not use abrasive pads that could scratch the metal.

When the heat itself is weak

If airflow is strong and the dryer still runs cool or only warms partway, the heat source may be failing.

Electric dryers run on a 240-volt circuit with a double breaker. If one half trips, the drum may turn with little or no heat. Reset the double breaker fully off, then on. Do not open the dryer's terminal block or test wiring.
Heating element. A partly failed or intermittent element can produce low heat.
Gas valve coils and igniter. On gas dryers, weak coils can cause the flame to light and then go out, so the dryer heats in short bursts. This is a job for a technician.
Cycling thermostat. A thermostat that opens too early cuts the heat before the drum is warm enough.

For a dryer producing no heat at all, see our full guide to a dryer not heating.

When to call a technician

Call if drying times stay long after you cleaned the lint screen and vent and adjusted the load, if the dryer cabinet or the clothes feel unusually hot, if the dryer shuts off early, or if you notice a burning smell. Many LG dryers also show a Flow Sense warning or a code such as d80, d90 or d95 when the vent is restricted, explained on our LG dryer error codes page.

Mr. Fixer handles dryer repair for electric and gas models across Metro Atlanta, including Whirlpool, Samsung, LG and Maytag. If you ever smell gas near a gas dryer, leave the home and call your gas utility first. For everything else, call (678) 866-3669 or book online at a time that suits you.

Need it fixed?

Our technicians handle dryer repair across Metro Atlanta, usually the same day. Diagnostic from $80, credited toward your repair.

Call (678) 866-3669

FAQs

How long should a normal dryer load take?

A typical mixed load in a properly vented dryer commonly finishes in under an hour. Heavy towels or bedding take longer. If ordinary loads need repeated cycles, check the lint screen and vent first.

Can a clogged dryer vent cause a fire?

Yes. Lint is highly flammable, and a blocked vent traps both lint and heat around the dryer. Clean the lint screen every load and have the full vent run cleaned regularly.

Why does my dryer stop before the clothes are dry?

Dirty moisture sensor bars, very small loads, or a load that bunches away from the sensors can end a sensor cycle early. Overheating from a restricted vent can also trip a thermostat and stop the heat.