How to Repair Clothes Dryers
Equipment You’ll Need
Before attempting this task ensure you have the following present:
Needle Nose Pliers
Screwdriver
Voltmeter, for voltages up to 240 V
How to Repair Clothes Dryers
Going About the Repairs
Several problems can occur with everyday appliances like clothes dryers and other similar appliances. Here before you are some common fixes for dryers that could save you cash from an expensive visit by a technician.
First off, always unplug the dryer and shut off the gas valve if you use a gas dryer.
Assessing the Damage
If your dryer will not start and is silent, make sure it is plugged in. Inspect the plug for damage, along with the wire and the system. Inspect the outlet for possible damage and check the circuit breaker for any trips. You should test the socket outlet with a night-light or another electrical appliance. You can test the socket outlet with a voltmeter too, if you have one. However, if your dryer uses a 240 volt line then you need to test it with a voltmeter that can handle up to 500 volts. Next, make sure that the dryer door is shutting completely if the power is still working; sometimes those metal tabs that tell the dryer the door is closed can bend out of shape, or get jammed inside their hole depending on how they are positioned. Clear or re-bend them. If none of these is the problem, consider replacing the cord. However, in the end, if none of these solves it–call the technician. You probably have a bigger problem that a technician will be able to handle; it is worth checking to see if you have any warranty left on the appliance. Speak to the manufacturer for recommended repair procedures.
Look for an Obstruction or a Snapped Belt
If your dryer is noisy, check inside for debris that could be causing the noise; at times, things can fall out of a pocket and get stuck inside. If the dryer seems to take too long to dry, this could be caused by a blockage in either the intake or exhaust vent–check the filters and clean out the vent line. Then make sure you have the right vent for your type of dryer–as always if it does not work rely on a professional. If the dryer makes noise with nothing in it, it could be caused by one of the many belts that it uses. A belt may have snapped, causing the dryer not to tumble, even though it may run. Call a technician to repair such a problem. If it tumbles and rolls, but there is no heat, check your settings first, make sure its not on fluff or other cool temperatures.
A Fuse Could Have Blown
On an electric dryer, you may have a fuse blown. Check it, and then replace it if you can. Often a dryer will have two fuses, so check them both. If this does not fix it–call your technician. If it is a gas dryer, recheck the control setting, and then check the gas valve behind the dryer and the main line gas valve. Make sure the pilot lamp is lit.
Leaking Gas?
If you have a gas dryer, and smell gas leaking, do NOT light anything. Do not use any electrical switches or do anything that could make a spark. Immediately shut off the gas valve that serves the dryer. If the smell is mild open windows and vent it, then when the air is clear in a few hours, attempt to re-light the pilot light. However, if the smell is strong, get everyone and everything living out of the house, leaving the doors open, and quickly shut off the main gas valve–then call your gas company immediately, or the fire department from a phone outside the house.