Common Dryer Breakdowns and Repairs: Key Reasons

By
Kimberly Crawford

Last Updated on January 2, 2024 by Kimberly Crawford

Dryers are a relatively new type of household appliance that is only gaining popularity. Despite a certain novelty of the device itself, dozens of models of dryers from world-famous brands are already on the market today: Bosch, Siemens, Indesit, Electrolux, etc. But no matter how high-quality and reliable such a device is, it is not secured from breakdowns.

In today’s review, we will look at the most common breakdowns of dryers. We will determine what most often breaks down in electronic dryers, for what reasons they occur, how to fix them, and what actions to take to prevent malfunctions.

Related: 7 Reasons Why Kenmore Dryer Not Heating And How To Fix

dryer breakdowns

Reasons for dryer breakdowns

Experts identify several factors due to which the dryer may fail:

1)    Violation of the operation rules

Firstly, people frequently overload the device with clothes. Always remember that the maximum load for cotton items is indicated by dryer characteristics. Jeans, wool, and synthetics weigh more, so the load limit must be reduced (by 2-3 kg).

If you do not consider this factor, the drive belt, the motor, or drum rollers will fail as a result of systematic overloads. Also, clothes that are too wet (in which there is an excess of moisture) should not be placed in dryers.

In addition, the machine will dry such things for too long, and this is associated with overheating of the motor, heating element, or even the drum. Any of these malfunctions should be trusted to the professional appliance repair in Ottawa, such as https://fixappliances.ca/ottawa-appliance-repair/.

2)    Improper use

This reason is very similar to the previous one but has its own subtleties. In this case, we are talking about sudden slamming of the door (the latch mechanism may break) and strong pressing of the buttons (the sensor may fail).

It is also extremely important to carefully insert the clothes into the drum. If you throw everything at once, your wardrobe items can get spoiled. This will also lead to imbalance and rapid wear of the belt, as well as the rollers.

3)    Bad care

Regular upkeep is required on even the most costly dryer. In condensing models, it is imperative to clean the moisture collection container. It is also necessary to periodically clean the fluff filter.

If the design includes an outlet hose, it must also be periodically disconnected and flushed. Otherwise, your car will be clogged with structural elements, which will cause malfunctions. Usually, the wear-out affects the outlet elements of the dryer: a hose for draining or pumping out moisture, etc. A motor may suffer from wear and tear over time. 

manufacturing defects

4)    Manufacturing defects

For this reason, no one is secured at all. The car can be delivered to you with a variety of defects: the door does not close well, one of the sensors does not work, and one or more controls do not respond to commands.

To avoid such troubles, it is better to buy high-quality models from reputable manufacturers (we indicated them at the beginning of the review). In addition, when buying, you must be given a warranty.

What usually breaks on a dryer?

The heating element, the thermostat, and the fuse are the most common parts that break on a dryer. The heating element is the part of the dryer that gets hot and helps to drying the clothes. The thermostat regulates the temperature of the dryer, and the fuse helps to prevent overloading of the electrical circuit.

Is it worth repairing a dryer?

The answer to this question depends on a few factors.

The first is the cost of the repairs. If the repairs are going to be expensive, it may not be worth repairing the dryer.

The second factor is the age of the dryer. If the dryer is old, it may not be worth repairing.

The third factor is the condition of the dryer. If the dryer is in good condition, it may be worth repairing.

The fourth factor is whether or not you have a warranty on the dryer. If you have a warranty, it may be worth repairing the dryer.

The fifth factor is whether or not you can repair the dryer yourself. If you can repair the dryer yourself, it may be worth repairing the dryer.

The sixth factor is whether or not you need the dryer. If you do not need the dryer, it may not be worth repairing the dryer.

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Common dryer failures: troubleshooting

If the dryer does not turn on or “refuses” to start the operating mode, do not rush to call the repairman. You may have committed one of the common errors. Be sure to check the following moments:

  • Is the device connected to a power source?
  • Is the door closed well?
  • Are the display and timer functioning normally?
  • What condition is the filter in (on some models, there is a blockage when it is clogged)?
  • Has the condensate tank been cleaned (safety blocking may also work here)?
  • Is the outlet element securely connected to the machine?

If the answers do not cause any suspicions, but the device still does not work, inspect it for obvious damage (external and internal). Damage includes cracks, dents, and loose structural elements (which must be static). If defects are found, the repairman must be contacted.

It also happens that the dryer seems to look normal, and no flaws were found. However, it does not function. How should you act in such a circumstance? It would seem that the surest option is to call a specialist. But to save time for yourself and him, it is better to know in advance what the problem is. But how to understand this?

Fortunately, manufacturers of modern dryers have foreseen everything. Since the current models are “completely” equipped with displays, when a problem occurs, notifications are displayed on them in the form of a shortcode that indicates a specific breakdown. The meanings of the codes are usually written in the instructions, so just check it out before calling a repairman. Good luck!