I would bet that most of us have experienced this issue. The dryer buzzer goes off and you go to fold the clothes to find they are still wet. They were always dried before on this cycle, yet it is not working now. So, you run another cycle, and really don’t think anything about it. Running a double cycle becomes the norm, only it should not. This could be a sign that something needs to be addressed to ensure the dryer is working efficiently.
The Problems
In many cases, the reason this is happening can be address in just a few minutes. For instance, if the clothes are still sopping wet, the dryer itself may be unplugged. Commonsense would tell you that when you hit that button and don’t hear the dryer kick in, that would be the first thing you would check… that and see if the breaker has been tripped. But there are a few more reasons why the dryer could still be on, but just not performing up to snuff.
So, just to address the two obvious ones… if the dryer does not turn on immediately, give a peek over the back to make sure the plug is still properly plugged in. If that is not the issue, head over to the breaker box to see if the breaker has been tripped. If the breaker has been tripped, reset it and try to get the dryer going again. If the breaker trips immediately, this could be a sign of something far more significant, so you are going to want to get an electrician or a repairman in there to check it out.
Lint Accumulation: Believe it or not, this is one of the leading reasons that dryers do not perform properly. If you are not cleaning out that lint filter after every use, it can start to build up, which would then create a blockage in the vent hose. This not only leads to an underperforming dryer, but it is also a fire hazard.
Broken Drive Belt: If the dryer is closed but the drum is not turning and you have already checked the power, this could be a broken or slipped drive belt. You will have to open the dryer housing to check this, so it may be above your expertise to do so. However, if you have the skillset, your operations manual will show you how to do this.
Failed Heating Element: Dryers do have a heating element that can go bad after a few years. The owner’s manual will show you where this is located. While you can check this with a multimeter, most people do not have one or the expertise needed to address the issue. So you are probably best served to call in an appliance repair technician to check it.
