If you’ve ever waited several hours for a load of laundry to dry, you know just how frustrating it can be. A dryer taking longer than normal to dry clothes may hint at an issue that needs attention. Although some problems may require professional dryer repair, a number of the common causes are well within the ability of homeowners to troubleshoot and fix themselves. Let’s explore these issues and learn how you can get your dryer back to working efficiently.

1. Clogged Dryer Vent

The most common reason for your dryer taking more time to dry is clogged flow in the vent. With time, the lint gathers in the dryer vent; thus, it restricts the path of air and makes it hard for the dryer to push out the hot and moist air.

Quick Fix: Unplug the dryer and then check the vent for blockages. You can use a vacuum or a dryer vent cleaning brush to remove the lint from the vent. Indeed, regular cleaning of the vent will prevent any more build-ups, increasing the efficiency of the dryer.

2. Issues with the Lint Trap

Although it might sound like a no-brainer, not cleaning the lint trap after every load leads to wasting so much time. A clogged lint trap decreases airflow and that diminishes the capacity of the dryer to take the moisture out of your clothes.

Quick Fix: Clean the lint trap after every use. If you notice residue developing or collecting, soak the lint trap in soap and water; this would also wash out fabric softener or detergent which might clog airflow.

3. Overloading the Dryer

One of the most common causes of taking much longer to dry than it should is having too much laundry inside the dryer. When you overload the dryer with too many clothes, air can’t move properly inside the drum, hence causing longer drying times.

Quick Fix: The amount loaded affects the performance. Smaller loads do ensure that the clothes have enough room to tumble and air can flow easily for faster drying.

4. Defective Thermostat or Heating Element

If the thermostat or heating element in the dryer is defective, it will not reach or sustain an appropriate temperature required to dry clothes. This is now more technical and thus may involve dryer repair.

Quick Test: If competent, then test the heating element or thermostat with a multimeter. If either one of these parts is faulty, it is worth replacing; otherwise, if you’re not confident, then calling a professional in for dryer repair is recommended.

5. Faulty Moisture Sensor

Many newer dryers have a sensor for moisture that tells the machine when something is dry and turns it off. If this sensor becomes dirty or malfunctions, your dryer could run long after the clothes are dry or not dry them at all.

Quick Fix: Clean the moisture sensor with a soft cloth and a bit of rubbing alcohol. If the problem still exists, you may need to replace it.

When to Call a Professional

These steps will definitely help in finding and resolving many of the common issues that are normally experienced, but not every problem may be within the scope of a do-it-yourself job. So, if these repairs have been tried and your dryer is still taking forever to dry your garments, you know it is time to call a professional dryer repair technician who can analyze problems promptly and eventually eliminate them.

For more home repair tips and advice, follow the Fibahub expert home appliance maintenance and fixing advice.