Written by Angela Reviewed by Daniel

If your dryer isn’t drying properly, you need to check this

Your dryer’s supposed to make life easier, not leave you pulling out damp clothes and wondering what went wrong. If your laundry feels like it’s just finished the wash cycle instead of the drying cycle, something’s definitely off.

There could be a few reasons for it, some are quick fixes that can stop bigger problems in their tracks, while others might need urgent attention.

That’s why I’ve put this article together, to arm you with everything you need to fix these issues before they turn into costly disasters.

Table of Contents

Why Is The Dryer Not Drying?

Here are the top reasons your tumble dryer might be throwing a tantrum and what you can do to fix it.

Have You Selected The Wrong Drying Cycle?

Different fabrics need different cycles. Chucking your jeans and your delicates in on the same setting is just asking for trouble.

Check your manual (or let’s be real, Google it), and tweak the settings. It could be that you need to adjust the drying time to get certain things dry.

Is The Lint Filter Clogged?

The Benefits Of Regular Tumble Dryer Lint Filter Maintenance

You know that fluffy stuff in the filter? Yeah, that’s lint. If you don’t clean it after every use, it builds up faster than takeaway boxes in a student flat.

A clogged filter means your dryer’s working overtime and still getting nowhere. Sort it out, it takes about two seconds to clean and then get into the habit of cleaning the lint filter after every use.

Is The Vent Hose Clogged?

If you’ve got a vented dryer, that hose at the back is where all the moisture escapes. Unless, of course, it’s clogged. Take it off and give it a good look and clean it.

A dryer vent cleaning kit will save you time when trying to clean the vent hose.

Is The Water Tank Full?

For those with condenser dryers, you’ve got a water tank that collects all the, well, water. If that’s full, your dryer’s not gonna dry anything.

The water tank should be emptied after every use to be on the safe side.

Have You Overloaded The Drum?

The thing is, just because your washing machine fits it all doesn’t mean your dryer can handle the load. If you just take all of the wet laundry from the washer and put it straight into the dryer you could be overloading the dryer.

The dryer won’t be able to handle all that wet washing and nothing gets dry. Check your manual for the max load weight for each drying cycle.

Are You Mixing Different Types Of Clothes?

A person putting clothes into a washing machine

Mixing heavy and light fabrics in the same dryer is a big mistake. Modern dryers have sensors that can detect when clothes are dry.

The heavy stuff moves towards the back of the drum and because the lighter stuff dries first and has moved towards the front of the drum, the sensor picks it up and thinks everything is dry.

If you’re mixing light workout wear in with denim, the lighter stuff dries first, so the dryer thinks it’s done and leaves you with soggy denim. You need to separate fabrics before putting them in the dryer.

Is The Moisture Sensor At Fault?

Modern dryers have these fancy moisture sensors that tell them when to stop. But if they’re covered in detergent or limescale, they can’t do their job.

The Moisture sensor is just two parallel metal strips and all you need to do to clean them is give them a wipe with some white vinegar or rubbing alcohol.

Has The Child Lock Been Activated?

If your dryer won’t even start, it could be the child lock. If it’s been activated, you’ll be able to turn the dryer on and off but it won’t do any drying. Annoying, right?

Check your manual to see how to turn it off. It’s usually a combo of buttons, once it’s off your dryer should work properly again.

Are The Hidden Filters Clogged?

Some dryers have extra filters hidden behind kickplates. These little gremlins catch all the lint that sneaks past the main filter.

Clean them out regularly or your dryer will be huffing and puffing for hours. Check your user manual for the location of these filters, how to remove them and whether your dryer actually has them.

Does Your Dryer Have Heating Problems?

If your dryer’s not getting warm, it could be a dodgy thermostat or heating element. The thermostat controls the heat and cuts the heater in and out as needed.

Unless you are sure you know what you’re doing, this one’s best left to the pros. Contact an appliance repair company and get them to sort it.

Is The Water Pump Faulty? (condenser dryers)

Condenser dryers work by pumping water from the dryer into the reservoir tank. If the pump is faulty, your clothes can’t dry.

You can check the water pump by removing the water tank, turning the dryer on and pouring a glass of water into the tray. The water should drain into the reservoir at which point you should put the water tank back in.

If the water gets pushed into the tank, the pump’s working fine. If not, it’s time to get the pump replaced.

Is Your Dryer Suffering From A Lack Of Air?

Where is the Best Place To Put A Tumble Dryer

Tumble dryers need a steady supply of air to work properly. This is often a problem for condenser or heat pump dryers that are hidden in a cupboard.

For it to function correctly it needs holes in the top and bottom of the door. Plus it needs a 3 inch (7.5 cm) gap at the front and at least a 4 inch (10 cm) gap at the back.

Let your concealed dryer breathe and it should work properly again.

Is The Room Too Cold?

Believe it or not, dryers don’t like working in Arctic conditions. If your utility room feels like the inside of a fridge, it’s probably not helping. Aim for a room temperature of 19 to 24°C for best results.

Did you know that your dryer’s warranty will be void if you try to run it in temperatures below 5°C or above 35°C. Don’t take that chance, give your dryer the environment it deserves and it’ll dry your clothes for you.

Has The Drive Belt Busted?

If the drum isn’t turning, your drive belt might be knackered. Try spinning the drum by hand. If it moves too easily, the belt’s probably gone.

Fixing it yourself isn’t impossible, as long as you get the right replacement belt and know what you’re doing. If not, call in an expert.

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Dryer

Here are a few tips to keep your dryer happy and your clothes dry:

Clean the lint filter every time (seriously, do it).
Don’t overload it. No one likes doing two loads, but here we are.
Spin your clothes properly in the washing machine first.
Separate heavy and light fabrics, don’t make your dryer do guesswork.
Empty the water tank and clean filters regularly.
Keep the dryer in a room that’s the right temperature.
Keep the moisture sensor free from detergent or limescale.

Your Turn!

Ever had a tumble dryer nightmare? Or maybe you’ve got a genius tip we’ve missed? Drop your story in the comments and share this with someone who needs to stop overloading their dryer.

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