Why is my dryer taking 2 cycles to dry clothes?

1. The lint trap needs a real cleaning

Start here. It's free and takes 30 seconds. A partly clogged lint trap restricts airflow and makes the dryer work much harder.

If you use dryer sheets, a waxy film can build up on the screen and block airflow even when it looks clean. To test it, pour water over the screen at a sink. If the water beads up, wash the screen with warm soapy water and a soft brush until water flows through, then let it dry completely.

2. The vent hose behind the dryer is clogged or kinked

This is the short flexible hose between the back of the dryer and the wall. Unplug the dryer, pull it away from the wall and disconnect the hose. Clean out any lint, and make sure the hose isn't kinked or crushed.

Then go outside and check the exterior vent flap. It should open freely when the dryer runs.

If the duct runs a long way through your walls or roof, cleaning it is a job for an air duct cleaning company. We handle the dryer and the connection at the machine.

3. The dryer is overloaded

Hot air needs room to move. When clothes are packed tight, the outer layers dry and the center stays damp. Fill the drum about 75% full, so clothes tumble freely. Two smaller loads finish faster than one big load run twice.

This matters most with jeans, bath towels and sweatshirts, which hold much more water.

4. The heating element is failing

A partly burned-out element makes less heat, so clothes get warm but never fully dry. To check, run the dryer on its highest heat for 5 minutes and carefully feel inside. It should be very hot. If it's only mildly warm, the element is the likely problem, and a technician needs to replace it.

5. The thermal fuse is faulty

The thermal fuse keeps the dryer from overheating. When it fails completely, there's no heat at all. It can't be reset, only replaced, and a technician can test it in minutes.

A restricted vent is a common cause of a blown fuse, so clean the vent connection too, or the new fuse may fail again quickly.

6. The moisture sensor is dirty

Most modern dryers have two small metal bars inside the drum, near the lint trap, that sense when clothes are dry. Residue from dryer sheets or fabric softener throws off the reading and can end the cycle early.

Wipe the bars gently with a cotton ball or soft cloth and rubbing alcohol. It takes two minutes. Do it every couple of months if you use dryer sheets.

7. The drum seal or blower wheel is worn

The felt drum seal keeps hot air flowing through the clothes. The blower wheel pushes air through the drum and out the vent. If either is worn, the dryer can't dry properly even with good heat. A new squeak or rattle during a cycle can be a sign. A technician needs to open the machine for both.

8. The gas supply is low (gas dryers only)

Low gas pressure or a partly blocked gas valve reduces heat. Gas issues always need a technician, so never work on gas lines or valves yourself.

If you ever smell gas near your dryer, don't touch any switches or appliances. Leave the house right away and call your gas company or 911 from outside.

When to call a technician

You can clean the lint trap and moisture sensors and adjust the load yourself. If the dryer still takes two cycles after that, it's time to call. A struggling dryer uses more electricity and puts extra wear on the motor and heating element.

Dryer repair