A household brand, the Amana dryer is sturdy, affordable, and reliable. It’s a high-quality appliance that will handle your laundry like a pro. If it suddenly stops working, what should you do? We’ve researched this to provide you with the answers below.
Before you call a professional technician to fix your dryer, you can troubleshoot your dryer by doing the following:
- Check if your dryer is overloaded
- Check your settings
- Unclog the filter
- Unclog the external dryer vent
- Thoroughly clean deep inside the vent
- Check if the vent system is properly installed
- Check if the sensor is in good working condition
- Move your dryer to a well-ventilated area
- Check if it is producing heat
When your clothes do not dry after placing them in the dryer, it is a clear sign something is wrong. Continue reading to know what causes your dryer to stop drying, and what to do about it. We have also discussed how to maintain your appliance to last longer.
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How To Troubleshoot Your Amana Dryer?
It can be quite infuriating when you put your clothes in the dryer, only to remove them wet. Don’t panic. There’s no need to call a professional technician just yet. You can troubleshoot as follows:
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Check If Your Dryer Is Overloaded
An overloaded dryer will not have enough airflow required for your clothes to dry fully. Instead, your clothes will still be wet or damp after one drying cycle.
Furthermore, your dryer will be forced to work harder if you put in too many wet clothes. It will use more energy, and your clothes will take a longer time to dry.
If this is the problem you are facing, remove excess clothes until the drum of your dryer is three-quarters full.
Check Your Settings
Did you set your dryer incorrectly? Setting it to dry at a shorter time than is required, will not dry your clothes effectively.
For example, if you set it at air-dry or gentle cycle to dry heavy laundry like your towels, they will still come out wet.
Check your settings, re-set it correctly, and continue the drying process.
Unclog The Filter
Check the lint filter for any clogging. If this is true, there’s a decrease in the airflow inside your appliance causing the clothes not to dry properly.
As a forewarning, it can start a fire, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. That is why you should clean the filter before and after each drying cycle.
You can do this by removing the screen, gently removing the lint by hand, and then putting it back.
However, you need to deep clean it every six months, which you can do by following the steps below:
- Remove the visible lint with your hands.
- Run warm water over the screen while brushing with a soft-bristle brush.
- Mix liquid detergent with warm water, and scrub using a nylon brush.
- Rinse with warm water and allow it to air-dry.
Check out the video below that shows you how to clean your lint filter:
Unclog The External Dryer Vent
When drying time is lagging, or your clothes are not drying, your external dryer vent could be blocked.
A sure way to find out if this is the case is when you cannot feel any air coming out of the vent. You can clean the vent yourself. However, if you are not confident enough, you can call a technician.
Thoroughly Clean Deep Inside The Vent
Despite following the last two previous steps, there’s a likelihood that lint has built up for a while deep inside your vent.
This can be quite a complex job to handle, and you may want to call a technician to do the job for you.
However, you can watch the video below that explains in detail how to clean deep inside your dryer vent:
Check If Your Vent System Is Properly Installed
Your manual clearly explains how to install the vent system of your dryer. But, if you did it incorrectly, it could stop drying your clothes, and hence you will need to check it.
As an example, if your vent is not the recommended length, or you do not have the correct elbows, your dryer may malfunction.
The type of vent you use matters. Most dryers recommend that you use rigid or flexible metal vents like the ones shown below. These will give you the best drying performance. If yours is plastic or metal foil, you need to replace it.
This is a flexible metal dryer vent on Amazon.
Your dryer vent should also be four inches away from the wall to avoid crushing or kinking it.
Check If Sensor Is In Good Working Condition
The moisture sensor detects the moisture level in your clothes and then signals the control board that your clothes are dry. If it is defective, it may shut down too early when your clothes have not completely dried.
A dirty sensor can interfere with the correct readings of the amount of moisture in your clothes. If you check and find it is dirty, clean it, and start your dryer again. If itt still does not work, then call a technician to check it out for you.
Move Your Dryer To A Well-Ventilated Area
Is your dryer in a small tight space? It’s one of the reasons it may not be working. Your dryer needs ventilation to function optimally.
As per the instructions, the rear of your dryer should be at least six inches away from the wall and one inch on the sides.
If you think your dryer is in a small space, check your manual for the correct requirements.
Check If It Is Producing Heat
As seen earlier, you can’t feel any heat coming out of your vent if it is clogged. In other situations, it could be spinning but not producing any heat. In such a circumstance, it could be an issue with the heating element, or a fuse has blown.
If you are up to the task, check your manual for instructions on how to replace them. If not, call an expert.
Have a look at this dryer heating element on Amazon.
How To Maintain Your Dryer
You would like your dryer to last long. However, for this to be possible, you need to maintain it well. Below are a few tips you can follow to help you on this:
Carefully Follow The Manual Instructions
If you recently bought your appliance, take out your manual and read it. Don’t assume you know how to use it.
The troubleshooting questions and answers, are especially helpful by giving you tips on what to do when it stops working. Furthermore, gain insights on how to take good care of it. It will certainly guide you on how to properly maintain it to last long.
Never Overload Your Machine
No matter how huge your pile of laundry is, do not overload your dryer. Do not surpass the limit, otherwise, it will cause your appliance to overwork, and subsequently, overheat.
In addition, your spindle bearings, and belt may get damaged.
Major Clean
Do a thorough clean at least twice a year, which you can achieve by cleaning your filter with warm water and detergent. You could alternatively vacuum it, including the space between the door and drum.
Don’t forget to also do a major clean regularly on your dryer vent outside.
Ensure Dryer Is Stable During Operation
If you do not place your dryer on completely flat ground, it wears out unevenly. If one of the supports is unstable, causing your machine to wobble while in operation, repair it.
Only Add Fabric To Your Dryer
Don’t add items to your dryer that are not allowed according to the manual. Stuff like toys or wigs shouldn’t be tossed into the machine to dry.
Cover The Vent Outside
The vent being occasionally warm can attract small animals and birds that may make it their habitation. For example, birds can build their nests, blocking the vent.
Furthermore, you will have unwanted guests like the rodents in your home. You, therefore, need to cover the vent with a screen.
Cost Of Repairing Your Dryer
Generally, the cost of repairing a dryer is roughly between $100 and $400. This is normally for issues with the drum, such as a faulty thermostat, broken belt, or a clogged vent. So, on average, you would expect to spend around $170, including parts and labor.
When you receive a diagnosis on your appliance, ask for a complete breakdown of the costs. This will give you a rough idea of how much you are likely to spend.
But, if the repair costs seem to be bordering on the cost of the dryer, use the 50% rule. For example, if your technician asks for $400 yet you spent between $400 and $800 to purchase it, it may not be worth it.
In Closing
It can be frustrating to run your clothes through a drying cycle only to come out wet. Don’t fret, as there are several ways you can troubleshoot before calling a technician. However, if none of the methods work, call a technician.
If the repair costs are too high, you can use the 50% rule. This can guide you to either repair or buy another one. Included are tips on how to maintain your appliance to serve you longer.
You are welcome to read more of our previous posts below:
Samsung Dryer Not Starting – What to Do?