Finding out that your dryer is not working, especially at a time when your laundry has just finished going through the washing machine, can be quite a frustrating experience. One of the causes for your dryer is not working could very well be your ducts.
Signs if Your Dryer is not working Properly :
The following are a few signs that your dryer is not working properly:
Source: Shutterstock The dryer and the clothes are extremely hot – If at the end of the cycle the dryer is hot to the touch, then your vent isn’t exhausting properly, most likely because it is clogged.
- It’s taking too long to dry – If your clothes normally take 50 minutes or so to dry in your drying machine and they are now taking twice or even three times as long to dry, then it means that the dryer vent is most likely clogged. A clogged vent causes the air to stay inside the dryer, thereby keeping clothing hot and moist.
- Something smells like it’s burning – If the area around your dryer smells like something is burning while the dryer is running, then stop using your dryer immediately and have it inspected by a professional. The exhaust tube, the drum casing, or the lint trap may be clogged by lint, which is incredibly flammable.
- You haven’t cleaned the vent ducts in a while – Your dryer’s vent ducts need to be inspected and cleaned on a yearly basis in order to cut down on the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and fires. Although you can attempt to clean the exterior exhaust vent by yourself if it is easily accessible, it is recommended that you hire a professional to clean your vent ducts.
- Your vent hood won’t open properly – Check the outside vent opening and the dryer hose. If you can see lint or debris around these two areas, the dryer needs to be cleaned out. If your duct hood flap won’t open properly it’s because lint buildup has restricted the airflow of the dryer.

Is your Dryer Malfunctioning? Then it could be due to an issue with your vent ducts.