Why Your Dryer Takes Two Cycles to Dry One Load
The #1 cause is almost never what people think. Here's what to check.
By Tyler
If your dryer used to finish a load in 45 minutes and now takes 90+, something is wrong. The good news: most of the time it's not the heating element, and the fix is free.
Check the lint filter — really check it
We know, we know. But "clean" and "actually clean" are different things. Hold the lint screen up to a window. If you can't see light through the mesh, fabric softener has built up a film that blocks airflow. Wash it in warm soapy water with a soft brush every few months.
The dryer vent is almost always the culprit
When a dryer takes forever to dry clothes, the #1 cause — by a wide margin — is a clogged or partially clogged vent duct. Lint escapes the lint filter, rides through the ducting, and builds up where the duct bends or transitions to the exterior vent.
Signs of a clogged vent:
- Clothes come out hot but damp
- The outside of the dryer gets very hot
- Cycles trigger the thermal fuse and the dryer stops mid-load
- A burning smell
You can DIY this with a vent cleaning kit from any hardware store, or have it professionally cleaned once a year.
The real danger
Clogged dryer vents are one of the leading causes of house fires. If your drying times have doubled, don't keep running the dryer and hoping — get the vent cleared.
When to call us
If the vent is clean and the dryer still isn't drying, the most common culprits are:
- Failed heating element (electric dryers)
- Bad igniter or gas valve coils (gas dryers)
- Failed thermal fuse or cycling thermostat
- Moisture sensor covered in residue
All of these are fixable. Book a service call and we'll diagnose it on the first visit.