Dryer blows cold air? Do this now

When your tumble dryer blows cold air instead of hot, it’s most likely due to overheating. The safety mechanism in the dryer cools the dryer down when it reaches a set temperature.

With that said, there can be many underlying causes that may be forcing the dryer to cool down prematurely and blow cold air.

This can be caused by a number of things, such as a broken temperature sensor, a faulty control panel, or even wiring issues.

In this blog post, we will go over some of the most common reasons why your dryer may be blowing cold air and how you can fix it.

Let’s dive right in.

Check the Lint filter

One of the most common reasons a dryer will blow cold air is that the lint filter is clogged.

If the lint filter is clogged, hot air won’t be able to move through the dryer properly.

Therefore, even before the hot air could circulate properly, the timer and temperature sensor would stop the heating element from further heating.

Be sure to check the lint filter before troubleshooting any other potential issues.

To clean the lint filter:

• Remove the filter from the dryer (usually located near the door).
• Clean the filter with warm, soapy water.
• Rinse the filter and allow it to air dry completely before replacing it.
• Run a test load of laundry to see if the problem is resolved.

Check the exhaust vent

Another common reason a dryer will blow cold air is if the exhaust vent is blocked.

The exhaust vent removes hot air and moisture from the dryer, so if it’s blocked, the dryer has to work harder to remove the hot air, which can cause it to blow cold air.

To check if the exhaust vent is blocked, first make sure that the vent hose isn’t kinked or crushed.

Then, check the outside vent to see if there’s any lint or debris blocking it.

If the vent is clear, try running the dryer with the exhaust vent open to see if that makes a difference.

Check the heating element

If the lint filter and exhaust vent are both clear, the next thing to check is the heating element.

The heating element is what heats the air that circulates through the dryer, so if it’s not working properly, the dryer will blow cold air.

To test the heating element, first, unplug the dryer and remove the back panel.

Then, use a multimeter to test the heating element for continuity.

If the heating element is damaged, it will need to be replaced.

Check the thermostat

The thermostat controls the temperature of the air in the dryer, so if it’s not working properly, the dryer may not be able to regulate the temperature, causing it to blow cold air.

To test the thermostat, first, unplug the dryer and remove the back panel.

Then, use a multimeter to test the thermostat to confirm if it is damaged. If there is no continuity, it means the thermostat needs to be replaced.

If you’ve checked all of these things and your dryer is still blowing cold air, you may need to call a professional for help.

Replace the thermal fuse if it’s blown

Dryers have thermal fuses that blow up when the air flowing through the device gets too hot.

This is a safety feature that keeps the dryer from overheating and catching fire.

If your dryer’s thermal fuse has blown, the dryer won’t start.

To check whether the thermal fuse has blown, open up your dryer and locate the fuse.

It should be located near the heater element.

Once you’ve found it, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. You’ll need to replace the fuse if the fuse on your dryer has blown.

Check the timer

The timer is another possible cause of a dryer blowing cold air.

If the timer is not working properly, it won’t be able to send the right signals at the right time to the controller.

To check the timer, start by disconnecting the dryer from the power source.

Check the air ducts

Over time, your dryer’s air ducts can become clogged with lint.

This can restrict airflow and cause the dryer to blow cold air.

To clean your dryer’s air ducts:

• The dryer should be unplugged and moved away from the wall.
• Disconnect the exhaust duct from the dryer.
• Use a vacuum cleaner with a long, flexible hose attachment to remove any lint from the ducts.
• Reattach the exhaust duct to the dryer and plug in the dryer.
• Run the dryer on the air fluff setting for about 30 minutes to make sure there is adequate airflow.

Check for other problems

There are a few other potential causes of a dryer blowing cold air.

For instance, if the door switch is broken, the dryer might not heat up.

If you’ve checked all of the above and the dryer is still blowing cold air, then you may need to call a professional for help.

Final Thoughts

A dryer may blow cold air due to many reasons and there is no one size fits all solution to fix the problem.

In order to fix this issue, you will need a proper diagnosis to identify the root cause.

In most cases, this happens when the dryer tries to cool itself down for safety and energy consumption reasons.

However, if this happens frequently, then you may need to start by cleaning the dryer and the exhaust vent.

If this does not help, seek help from a professional service person.