Seven Reasons Why Your Dryer is Taking So Long to Dry Your Clothes

In a fast-paced world, it’s incredibly annoying when small things delay your day. Therefore, if your tumble dryer starts to run slowly and stops drying your clothes the way you expect it to, it can be irritating.

There are many reasons why your dryer may start to slow down and luckily a lot of them can be easily repaired. Read on to find out the most common causes for this problem:

Airflow Restriction

One of the simplest causes for clothes not getting dried properly in your dryer is that there is an airflow restriction.

To work efficiently a tumble dryer needs to be able to bring in fresh air and remove moist air. If something is restricting your tumble dryer’s airflow then it will prevent your clothes from properly drying, meaning they stay damp.

If you have a faulty tumble dryer that is taking a while to dry clothes, it is worth checking that the airflow is not restricted before you call for a repair, as you can easily remedy this yourself.

A Clogged Lint Filter

One of the things that could cause an airflow restriction within your tumble dryer is a clogged lint filter. This is an issue not only because it will slow down your tumble dryer and cause your clothes to dry slower than usual, but it is also a fire hazard.

You should regularly check your tumble dyer’s lint filter. However, if your clothes seem incredibly hot at the end of a cycle, or the outside of your device raises significantly in temperature, it is a good idea to check if your lint filter has become clogged.

Faulty Heating Element

In some cases, the heating element of a tumble dryer can become faulty and stop driving enough warm air into the drum of your machine. This means that the machine is not getting warm enough to dry your clothes in the set time.

If the heating element of your device is broken, it may require a replacement. However, you may need to get your tumble dryer repaired.

Faulty Thermostat

The thermostat within a tumble dryer is the component that regulates the temperature of the air within your dryer. If this stops working as it is supposed to, it can cause the dryer to turn off either too quickly or when the dryer gets too hot, resulting in your clothes not being dried.

You can use a multimeter to check if your dryer’s thermostat is working properly. If it is faulty, it must be replaced in order to get your dryer running properly again.

Faulty moisture sensor

While not every machine is equipped with a moisture sensor, this is still an element that can cause a dryer to run slowly.

A moisture sensor will work out when your load is dry and turn your machine off when it is. If the sensor stops working properly, it can cause the dryer to run for longer than expected and delay your cycle.

Faulty Blower Wheel

If your dryer’s blower wheel is broken, then fresh air can no longer be cycled into the machine. This will prevent your clothes from being dried as quickly.

Motoring issues, a heavy lint build up, or airflow reduction can cause a faulty blower wheel and will result in longer cycles. It is important to get a blower wheel repaired as quickly as possible as the longer it remains faulty, the more energy you will spend.

Broken Timer

A tumble dryer timer can sometimes falter to the point where it sticks and causes the machine to continually run. If this happens, it is sometimes necessary to turn the machine off at the mains to end the cycle.
If you suspect that any of these issues apply to your machine, do not hesitate to get in touch with an expert in tumble drier repairs, who can help to diagnose and fix the problem.