Clothes dryers that stop after a few seconds can quickly turn from being a minor annoyance into a significant frustration. After all, you want the wash load of clothes to dry quickly. Sometimes a door latch replacement is all that’s needed to fix the issue. However, at times, the problem could be more severe and you will need to call in a technician for dryer repair. Here are some basic troubleshooting steps to follow.
Dryer Troubleshooting
A detailed inspection of potential problems with the components can help determine whether you need a professional to handle the dryer repair or you can manage it yourself. There are certain things that can go wrong with the dryer, such as:
- Bad Motor- When the motor begins to deteriorate, it will run much hotter than normal. The excess heat buildup causes the motor’s overload system to kick in and it shuts the motor down. In most cases, the motor will start up again once it has cooled down, while in others, it might not start up at all, regardless of how long you wait for it to cool down.
Another common sign that the dryer’s motor is about to malfunction is when you stop the appliance while it’s running, and then attempt to start it back up. If the motor isn’t functioning properly, you will not be able to restart the dryer, and will only hear a humming sound.
Deterioration signs
Generally, when you start the dryer, it will kick right in. However, with deterioration in the system, you will find that the humming sound just worsens once you start it up.
- Thermal Fuse– This is a small white thermostat, which tells the system that the exhaust is sufficiently cool and that it can keep running. If the cycling thermostat is stuck closed, or there is an airflow restriction, the dryer will become excessively hot. When it gets too hot, the thermal fuse in the unit cuts power to the motor, and the dryer will shut off.
This helps prevent burning of your clothes or a fire erupting. If the thermal fuse trips, this indicates you have a problem that needs addressing. A simple way to tell if this is the reason for the dryer issue is to bypass the fuse and attempt to start the dryer. If you find that the issues still persist, contact a skilled appliance repair professional. They have the expertise to handle all types of dryer repair tasks. For any more information about our dryer troubleshooting, feel free to contact us.