Why Your Dryer Takes Two Cycles to Dry One Load
The #1 cause is almost never what people think. Here's what to check.
By Tyler
If your dryer used to finish a load in 45 minutes and now takes 90+, something is wrong. The good news: most of the time it's not the heating element, and the fix is free.
Check the lint filter: really check it
We know, we know. But "clean" and "actually clean" are different things. Hold the lint screen up to a window. If you can't see light through the mesh, fabric softener has built up a film that blocks airflow. Wash it in warm soapy water with a soft brush every few months.
The dryer vent is almost always the culprit
When a dryer takes forever to dry clothes, the #1 cause, by a wide margin, is a clogged or partially clogged vent duct. Lint escapes the lint filter, rides through the ducting, and builds up where the duct bends or transitions to the exterior vent.
Signs of a clogged vent:
- Clothes come out hot but damp
- The outside of the dryer gets very hot
- Cycles trigger the thermal fuse and the dryer stops mid-load
- A burning smell
You can DIY this with a vent cleaning kit from any hardware store, or have it professionally cleaned once a year.
The real danger
Clogged dryer vents are one of the leading causes of house fires. If your drying times have doubled, don't keep running the dryer and hoping, get the vent cleared.
When to call us
If the vent is clean and the dryer still isn't drying, the most common culprits are:
- Failed heating element (electric dryers)
- Bad igniter or gas valve coils (gas dryers)
- Failed thermal fuse or cycling thermostat
- Moisture sensor covered in residue
All of these are fixable. Book a service call and we'll diagnose it on the first visit.