Why Is My LG Dryer Not Drying Completely?

DLE0442W

DLE2514W

DLE2515S

DLE2516W

DLE3733S

DLE3733W

DLE3777W

DLE5955G

DLE5955W

DLE5977S

DLE5977W

DLE7177RM

DLE7177WM

DLE8377NM

DLE8377WM

DLE9577SM

DLEX7177WM

DLG5988B

DLG5988S

DLG5988SM

DLG5988W

Clogged vent

The dryer vent is the part that allows the moist air to escape from your dryer’s drum. If the vent is clogged, the moisture won’t have anywhere to go, and your clothes will come out of the dryer warm but still damp. Here’s how to fix it:

• Unplug your dryer, and make sure you can access the back of it. You might need to use a furniture dolly to move it. 
• The vent is usually a pipe that goes from the back of the dryer to the outside. Remove the pipe from the back of the dryer by pulling firmly. The end vented to the outside might be held in place with screws or might just be placed, so check before you remove it. 
• Once the vent pipe is removed, use a vacuum cleaner to clean out any lint from the vent housing at the back of the dryer. 
• Now you need to clear the vent pipe. You can purchase a specialized duct cleaning kit, which consists of flexible brushes you can use to clean out the vent pipe. Otherwise, you can use a combination of a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment and a length of wire to loosen any lint and clean out the pipe. 
• Replace the clean vent pipe and try running a drying cycle. Your clothes should now come out perfectly dry.

Heating element is faulty

If your clothes are coming out of your LG dryer damp and cold, or only lukewarm, then there might be an issue with your heating element. To check if it’s working:

• Unplug your dryer and access the heating element. It’s located on the back or bottom of the dryer in most models, but check your user’s manual first to be sure. 
• If you can’t see any obvious damage, like cracks or breaks, use a multimeter to test for continuity. If there is no continuity, the heating element is broken and will need to be replaced. You can purchase a new heating element online.
• To install the new element, first remove the old element. It will be held in place by either screws or clips, and will also need to be disconnected from the wiring. Make sure you take note of where all the wiring goes so you can install the new one correctly.
• Put the new element in place and connect it to the wires. Then put the dryer back together and test to see if it’s heating. If it is, your clothes will now be warm and dry after the drying cycle.

Machine is overloaded

This might sound obvious, but overloading is a common reason your clothes might not be drying properly. A good rule of thumb is to only fill your dryer half to two-thirds full. This allows for proper air flow and ensures the tumbling action works correctly. 

If your dryer does seem to work, but it’s taking longer than you expect, overfilling might be the cause. Here are some tips to help your clothes dry properly:

• Fill your dryer according to LG’s specifications.
• Try using dryer balls to help tumble and aerate your clothes.
• If you’re drying large items like duvet covers and sheets, make sure you shake them out before putting them in the dryer, to help prevent them from clumping together. 

Thermostat is faulty

If your dryer is not heating properly, there could be an issue with the thermostat that’s preventing it from reaching the correct temperature. If this is the case, you’ll need to replace the thermostat. Here’s how to test it:

• You’ll need to use a multimeter to test the thermostat for continuity. First, locate the thermostat, which is usually on the blower housing or near the heat source. You might need to refer to your LG manual for the exact location on your model. 
• If the thermostat shows no continuity, you’ll need to replace it. You can order a new one online from LG.
• Disconnect the old thermostat by unscrewing it and disconnecting any wires and clips. 
• Put the new thermostat in the old one’s place, and reconnect everything. 
• Run a test cycle to make sure the dryer is now heating correctly. 

Moisture sensor is faulty

Some LG dryer models come with a moisture sensor. This means that they don’t just dry the clothes for a specific length of time; they keep the cycle going until they sense that the clothes are dry. 

This is a great feature as it can be a big saver of electricity, because the dryer only runs exactly as long as it needs to. However, if the sensor is faulty it can mean the dryer switches off before your laundry is properly dry. Here’s how to check it:

• The moisture sensor is found at the front edge of the dryer drum or in the dryer vent. Check it carefully to make sure it’s clean. Sometimes the sensor can get coated with lint or fabric softener residue, which stops it from working. In this case, simply clean the sensor bars and then run a test cycle to see if it’s working properly.
• If the sensor bars appear clean, try testing for continuity with a multimeter. If working correctly, it should show continuity when the clothes are wet, but not when they’re dry. 
• If the moisture sensor is faulty, it will need replacing. Order a replacement part, then remove the old sensor, taking note of how it is attached. It may help to take a picture so you can make sure you install the new one correctly. 
• Install the new sensor, then run a test cycle to make sure your dryer is working correctly.