My dryer is taking 2-3 cycles to dry a normal load. It used to dry everything in one cycle. The dryer is only 4 years old.
A dryer that takes too long is almost always a ventilation issue, not a dryer problem. The lint trap catches only about 75% of lint. The rest accumulates in the dryer vent duct that runs from the back of the dryer to the outside of your house. Over 3-4 years this builds up enough to significantly restrict airflow, which means hot moist air cannot escape and your clothes stay damp. This is also a serious fire hazard as dryer lint is highly flammable. Disconnect the dryer vent from the back of the machine and the wall. Use a dryer vent cleaning kit (about $20, a long flexible brush with extensions) to clean the entire length of the duct. Also go outside and clean the exterior vent flap. You would be shocked at how much lint comes out. While you have the dryer pulled out, also clean the lint trap housing by removing the trap and vacuuming down into the slot with a narrow vacuum attachment. After cleaning, make sure the vent duct is not kinked or crushed behind the dryer when you push it back. Use rigid or semi-rigid metal duct, never the white vinyl flexible type which is a fire code violation in many areas. Clean the vent duct once a year going forward. If the vent is clean and the dryer still takes too long, the heating element or thermal fuse may need replacement, but try the vent cleaning first as it is the cause 80% of the time.
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