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8 Signs Your Dryer Is Going Out You Need To Know

Learn about the most common signs your dryer is going out from a professional technician with 17 years of experience in fixing clothes dryers.

Seriously, how often do you pay attention to the way your dryer works? Let me guess: pretty much never. You just jumble your clothes in, push a couple of buttons, and jet off to do other errands. And when the process is over (or even when you run out of clean things and figure out where you can get some), you just take them out and skedaddle again. And one day, such an attitude comes back to bite you: the device doesn’t work.

I'm Oleg. I had been fixing dryers for five years in Canada before, as LeBron James put it, I took my talents to South Be… well, not exactly. In fact, it was to appliance repair in Dania Beach, and I have worked here for over a decade. As a vetted expert in the niche, I have seen a lot of still decent equipment thrown away just because its owners never paid attention to clothes dryer problems. Neglecting to stay alert to the telltale symptoms of a bad dryer and thus prolonging its life, they had to pay through the nose for buying a new one.

Let me tell you about the common signs that indicate you need your dryer fixed to avoid greater expenditures that would otherwise arise.

Typical Signs You Need to Fix Your Dryer

These may seem minor nuisances, yet they may be indicative of a serious problem. So if you spot any of the following issues, you can’t do without professional assistance and maintenance.

Clothes aren’t dry

When you take your things out, they are still damp. Basically, the device fails to perform its primary function.

The dryer’s heat is low

This is the primary reason for the problem above. There can be multiple reasons for it, ranging from a dirty lint screen or an overloaded dryer to a defective heating element, blown fuses, or thermostat trouble. The first two you can handle yourself; the others require an expert’s attention.

Too long drying times

It all starts with an extra 10 or 15 minutes, but over time, the problem exacerbates. A clogged vent or lint trap, inadequate drum rotation, or a faulty heating element cause extended drying cycles.

Burning smell

Very often, it accompanies the previous symptom. Usual causes of the odor include a lint basket that requires cleaning, a broken dryer hose, a broken thermostat, or a blocked vent.

Turn off the machine immediately to prevent a fire hazard and invite a technician.

Drum not spinning

You may take this as one of the signs that you need a new dryer. That may well be the case if the motor is at fault. But when I come to check cases like these, it's usually not that serious. As often as not, the broken belt or worn-out drum rollers are to blame. I replace them, and the thing works like there's no tomorrow.

Weird noises

I don’t mean the normal humming or occasional thuds from within caused by clothes moving there. Keep an ear out for unusual sounds, such as banging, rattling, squealing, grinding, or popping, that are not typical of dryers. These may indicate foreign objects in the drum (which you must remove after stopping the device) or a malfunction, such as a loose or damaged belt, worn-out drum bearings, or other issues that require expert inspection.

The dryer won't turn on

The causes are diverse — from mechanical (a faulty door switch or damaged gasket) to power-driven (unplugged by kids, a broken wire, a blown fuse, etc.) and electronic (defective control board).

The appliance shuts off mid-cycle

It is mostly coupled with other symptoms (like overheating) and happens because of a faulty motor, timer/control board issues.

In my experience, 90% of expensive repairs can be avoided by timely maintenance. Unfortunately, people call a technician only after a serious breakdown. To be on the safe side, call me to have a look at your dryer. If nothing is wrong, I won’t charge a penny.

To Draw a Bottomline

I hope I have laid it out fair and square. But, to cover bases, let me emphasize once again. A clothes dryer is an expensive gadget that needs looking after. Remember: most serious breakdowns often begin with small issues. If you notice anything unusual about the appliance itself or its work (strange noises, burning smell, not turning on or switching off mid-cycle, prolonged operation, damp clothes at the end of the process, etc.), please don't hesitate to call me. It is better to inspect the equipment early on and eliminate small malfunctions than to fork out big sums on a major overhaul or yet bigger ones on purchasing a new device.

Consider Spark Service PRO as Your Trusted Partner

Throughout decades of my work in dryer repair in South Florida, I have learned one important thing: a good repair is a prevented repair. My colleagues and I have top-notch technical expertise in diagnosing dryer problems and can come to your place on short notice to thoroughly inspect your device. Such a service is totally free. In case we understand that your dryer is in trouble, we will fix it as quickly as possible. We have vast experience repairing dryers of all popular brands (Whirlpool, Maytag, LG, Samsung, GE, Electrolux, Amana, you name it) to swiftly identify the problem and eliminate it.

Get a free diagnostic with any repair when you call during business hours. Prefer convenience? Book your service online 24/7.