Easy Ways to Fix a GE Dryer that Takes Too Long to Dry

Does your GE dryer take two or even three cycles to dry one load?

That wastes a lot of time and power, and I understand why it's annoying. Don't worry.

In most cases the dryer itself is fine and the real problem is that the hot, damp air can't get out of it fast enough. Here's how to fix that.

Why Is My GE Dryer Taking So Long to Dry?

When a GE dryer takes too long to dry, the vent is usually clogged. Clean the lint screen and lint trap housing, straighten the vent hose, clear the vent duct, and check the outside flap.

A clogged vent is also a fire risk, not just a slow dryer. So even if your clothes eventually dry, please don't ignore this problem.

Clean the Lint Screen and Its Housing

Most people clean the lint screen, but lint also builds up in the slot the screen slides into. Over time that housing can get packed with lint that the screen never catches.

Pull the screen out and clean it. Then use a long, thin brush or a vacuum crevice tool to reach down into the housing and pull out the lint. You'll often be surprised by how much lint come out.

If you use dryer sheets, wash the screen with warm soapy water too. The waxy film they leave can block air even when there's no lint.

Straighten the Vent Hose Behind the Dryer

The flexible hose behind your dryer gets crushed easily when the dryer is pushed back against the wall. A single kink can cuts the airflow a lot.

Pull the dryer out and look at the hose. It should run as straight and short as possible with no sharp bends or flattened spots.

If you have a thin white plastic or foil hose, I'd recommend replacing it with a rigid or semi-rigid metal duct, which holds its shape and is safer.

Clean the Vent Duct

This is the step that fix most slow GE dryers. Lint builds up along the whole length of the vent, especially at bends.

Follow these steps to clean the vent duct:

1. Unplug the dryer. On a gas dryer, also turn off the gas supply valve.
2. Pull the dryer away from the wall and disconnect the hose from the back of the dryer.
3. Use a dryer vent brush kit to scrub the inside of the duct from the dryer end.
4. Go outside and brush or vacuum from the outside end as well.
5. Vacuum out the exhaust opening on the back of the dryer.
6. Reconnect the hose firmly and push the dryer back without crushing it.

Be careful not to pull or kink the gas line on a gas model when you move the dryer. If your vent run is very long or goes through the roof, a professional duct cleaning service may be the better choice.

Check the Outside Vent Flap

With the dryer running, go outside and look at the vent cover. The flap should open and you should feel strong, warm air coming out.

If the flap is stuck, packed with lint, or blocked by a bird nest, clean it out. A screen cover over the vent opening can also catch lint and clog, so they are not recommend for dryer vents.

Check the Heat on Gas and Electric Models

If the airflow is strong and your dryer still takes a long time, check that it's heating properly. It may be heating weakly rather than not at all.

On an electric dryer, one tripped half of the double breaker stops the heat completely, so reset the breaker to be sure. On a gas dryer, watch the burner through the small window if yours has one.

If the flame keeps lighting and going out, or the igniter glows without lighting, the gas valve coils or flame sensor may be weak. Any work on the gas valve should be done by a technician.

For a dryer with no heat at all, see our guide about a GE dryer that is not heating. And if your dryer shows a Check Vent light, our guide on the GE dryer check vent light explains what it means.

Conclusion

A GE dryer that takes too long to dry is almost always an airflow problem, and cleaning it also makes your dryer safer. Here's what to do:

• Clean the lint screen and its housing
• Straighten the vent hose behind the dryer
• Clean the vent duct
• Check the outside vent flap
• Check the heat on gas and electric models

If your clothes finish the cycle and are still damp even with good airflow, our guide on a GE dryer not drying clothes covers the moisture sensor and load size.