Short answer: the most common cause is a clogged or crushed dryer vent. When hot, damp air cannot escape, the clothes stay wet and the dryer runs longer and hotter. Clean the lint screen, check that the duct behind the dryer is not crushed, and see whether the outside flap opens when the dryer runs. If it barely moves, the vent likely needs cleaning.
Quick checks you can do
- Clean the lint screen and wash it with soap and water if it looks coated.
- Pull the dryer out and look for a crushed, kinked or disconnected duct.
- Go outside while the dryer runs. You should feel strong, warm airflow and see the flap open.
- Check the load size. Overloading slows drying.
- Check the washer spin. Clothes that come out very wet take longer to dry.
Common causes
Clogged dryer vent
Lint builds up inside the vent over time, especially at bends and in long runs. This is the most common cause, and it is also a fire hazard. See the signs of a clogged dryer vent.
Crushed or kinked duct
Pushing the dryer back against the wall can flatten a foil duct. Read foil vs metal dryer duct.
Blocked outside hood
Lint, nests or snow can block the flap outside.
Long vent run
Condo and townhouse vents often run a long way, which slows airflow and clogs faster.
Dryer problems
A failing heating element, thermostat or sensor can also cause slow drying. If the vent is clear and the dryer still struggles, call an appliance technician.
Rule out the washer first
Sometimes the dryer is not the problem. If clothes come out of the washer heavy and dripping, the spin cycle is not removing enough water and the dryer has to work much harder. Check that the washer is not overloaded, that the drain hose is not kinked and that the drain filter, if your model has one, is clean. Run a short spin and compare the weight of a towel before and after. A washer that spins properly gives the dryer a fair start.
A step by step test you can do at home
- Clean the lint screen and check the slot it sits in for lint.
- Run the dryer empty on high heat for five minutes.
- Go outside and feel the airflow at the exterior hood.
- Pull the dryer out and look for a crushed or kinked connector hose.
- Dry one normal load and time it.
Strong warm airflow outside and a normal drying time mean the vent is likely fine and the issue may be the heating element, a sensor or the thermostat, which is a job for an appliance technician. Weak airflow outside points to the vent.
What a slow dryer is costing you
A dryer that needs two cycles for one load uses roughly twice the energy for that load and puts twice the wear on the drum, belt and heating parts. Clothes also wear out faster with longer tumbling at high heat. In a busy household the extra cycles add up week after week, which is why fixing a clogged vent usually pays for itself in time saved alone, before you count the lower fire risk.
Fix the airflow
If the test points to the vent, UltiClean cleans the full run to the outside and confirms airflow at the hood. Call (647) 676-0576 or see dryer vent cleaning.
Slow Dryer FAQs
Is it dangerous to keep using a slow dryer?
If the cause is a clogged vent, yes. Lint near heat is a fire hazard. Get the vent checked before you keep running long cycles.
Why are my clothes hot but still damp?
That usually points to poor airflow: the heat is there, but the moist air cannot get out.
Will cleaning the vent fix it?
If the vent is the cause, yes, and most people notice faster drying right away.
How often should the vent be cleaned?
At least once a year. Read how often to clean your dryer vent.
My condo dryer has always been slow. Can anything help?
Often, yes. Long condo vents collect lint quickly, and a full cleaning can make a big difference. Read why long condo dryer vents clog.
Slow dryer in Richmond Hill, Aurora, Newmarket, Vaughan or Toronto? See dryer vent cleaning or call UltiClean at (647) 676-0576.
Ready for a deep clean?
Carpets, air ducts, dryer vents and tile and grout across Richmond Hill, Aurora, Newmarket, Vaughan and Toronto.
Written by
Carpet, air duct and tile cleaning specialist at UltiClean
Seyedamir (Amir) Vafamand has 12 years of hands-on experience cleaning carpets, upholstery, air ducts, dryer vents and tile and grout in homes across Toronto, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Aurora and Newmarket. This guide is based on that work.
- 12 years of experience
- 1,100+ jobs completed on Jiffy
- 98% approval rating
- $2M liability insurance
UltiClean Air Duct & Carpet Cleaning Services
54 Limeridge St
Aurora, ON L4G 7X9
(647) 676-0576, open 24 hours, 7 days a week