TROUBLESHOOTING
DRYER
First try the solutions suggested here and possibly avoid
the cost of a service call...
Clothes are not drying satisfactorily
■Check the following:
Is the lint screen clogged with lint?
Is the exhaust vent or outside exhaust hood clogged with lint, restricting air movement? Run the dryer for
Is the exhaust vent crushed or kinked? Replace with heavy metal or flexible metal vent. See your Installation Instructions.
Has a fuse blown, or a circuit breaker tripped? Electric dryers use 2 household fuses or breakers. The drum may be turning but you may not have heat.
Has an air dry cycle been selected? Select the right cycle for the types of garments being dried. See “Drying, Cycle and Temperature Tips.”
For gas dryers, is the valve open on the supply line?
Are fabric softener sheets blocking the grille? Use only one fabric softener sheet and only use it once.
■Is the dryer located in a room with temperature below 45ºF (7ºC)?
Proper operation of dryer cycles requires temperatures above 45ºF (7ºC).
■Was a cold rinse water used? Was the load very wet? Expect longer drying times with items rinsed in cold water and with items that hold moisture (cottons).
■Is the load too large and heavy to dry quickly? Separate the load to tumble freely.
Dryer will not run
■Check the following:
Is the power cord plugged in?
Has a fuse blown, or has a circuit breaker tripped? Was a regular fuse used? Use a
Was the START button firmly pressed? Is a cycle selected?
Unusual sounds
■Has the dryer had a period of non-use?
If the dryer hasn’t been used for a while, there may be a thumping sound during the first few minutes of operation.
■Is it a gas dryer?
The gas valve clicking is a normal operating sound.
Lint on load
■Is the lint screen clogged?
Clean lint screen. Check for air movement.
■Is the load properly sorted?
Sort lint givers (towels, chenille) from lint takers (corduroy, synthetics). Also sort by color.
■Is the load too big or too heavy?
Dry smaller loads so lint can be carried to the lint screen.
■Was the load overdried?
Use correct dryer settings for load type. Overdrying can cause
■Was paper or tissue left in pockets?
■Is pilling being mistaken for lint?
Pilling (surface fuzz) is caused by normal wear and laundering.
Stains on load or color change
■Was dryer fabric softener properly used?
Add dryer fabric softener sheets at the beginning of the cycle. Fabric softener sheets added to a
■Were items soiled when placed in the dryer? Items should be clean before being dried.
■Were items properly sorted?
Sort light colors from dark colors. Sort colorfast items from noncolorfast items.
Items shrinking
■Was the dryer overloaded?
Dry smaller loads that can tumble freely.
■Did the load overdry?
Check the manufacturer’s care label. Match dryer setting to load type. See “Drying, Cycle and Temperature Tips.”
Loads are wrinkled
■Was the load removed from dryer at the end of the cycle?
■Was the dryer overloaded?
Dry smaller loads that can tumble freely.
■Did the load overdry?
Check the manufacturer’s care label. Match dryer setting to load type. See “Drying, Cycle and Temperature Tips.”
Odors
■Have you recently been painting, staining or varnishing in the area where your laundry center is located?
If so, ventilate the area. When the odors or fumes are gone from the area,
■If the dryer is electric, is it being used for the first time? The new electric heating element may have an odor. The odor will be gone after the first cycle.
Garment damage
■Check the following:
Were zippers, snaps, and hooks left open?
Were strings and sashes tied to prevent tangling? Were care label instructions followed?
Were items damaged before drying?
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