Troubleshooting Electrical Dryer Problems

You may experience some dryer problems in your home that will cause you to seek the help of a professional technician. Most electrical dryers experience problems that are not too difficult to repair. The best thing to do is consult your manufacturer’s manual or user guide, and see if they mention any troubleshooting steps you can perform. If not, just follow these simple tips on how to troubleshoot your electrical dryer problems.

Check Breaker Switch, Fuse and Plugs

Go to the laundry area in your home and examine the breaker switch. Determine whether or not it may need to be reset. Keep an eye out as well for any signs that the breaker switch may have a blown fuse. One reason why your dryer may not be working can be that it isn’t plugged in. Check to see if your dryer is plugged into the electrical outlet. Examine the unit as well for thermal fuse problems. The electrical dryer may be equipped with a thermal fuse that automatically shuts down the dryer when it overheats. If so, you will need to replace the thermal fuse. Do not hesitate to consult a professional regarding what kind of thermal fuse you will need.

Access Heating Element

In the event that your electrical dryer is experiencing problems heating up, there may be problems with the heating element of the dryer. Review your manufacturer’s manual or user guide for instructions on how to access the area where the heating element of your unit is located. Use a circuit tester to examine the heating element. If your heating element is defective, replace it with a new one.

Check Top Panel

Use a flathead screwdriver and pry the top panel open in order to access it. Examine the drive belt of the dryer and determine whether it is broken or defective. Examine the idler pulley of the unit also for any form of damage or signs of wearing out. If you see that these parts are defective, you will need to replace them.

Clear Unit of All Dirt

Your dryer may not be working because of dirt and debris that are inhibiting it from performing properly. Remove the duct located through the rear area of the dryer all the way to the vent outside of your home. Using a vacuum, clean out all the dirt and particles found inside the duct as well as the vent. Use a circuit tester to check the performance of the cycling thermostat if your electrical dryer still is not heating up properly.

Examine Moving Parts

Look into the drum area of your electrical dryer. Your dryer may be giving off funny noises such as squeaking. In this case, examine the moving parts in the drum such as the idler pulley, rear drum bearing as well as the wheels or rollers of the dryer unit. If you encounter any of these parts making noises, you may need to replace them with new parts.