Why Is My Electrolux Dryer Not Drying?

A dryer can significantly cut down on laundry time, especially in the colder months. But what if you’ve noticed that it’s taking longer than usual?

There are several common reasons why your Electrolux dryer may not be drying as well as it should be. We cover what to check, how to maintain your dryer to prevent this from happening again, and quick troubleshooting tips you can do today without the need for professional help. 

Why Is My Dryer Taking So Long To Dry?

An average laundry load will take around 30 minutes to an hour to dry in a standard dryer. However, this will also depend on factors like dryer type and efficiency, load size, fabric type, and how well your dryer has been maintained. 

Electrolux is a reputable dryer brand. If your Electrolux dryer is under 10-15 years old and doesn’t show obvious signs of wear and tear or old age, it shouldn’t take multiple hours to dry a regular-sized load. If it does, here are several reasons why this could be the case:

• The power source isn’t connected properly or has incorrect voltage coming in, which doesn’t allow the heating element to operate at full efficiency. 
• Your dryer is overloaded, leaving no room for the hot air to circulate and dry the clothes properly. 
• You are putting dripping or very wet clothes from the washer into the dryer, due to an insufficient washing machine spin cycle.
• The dryer lint screen is full of clothing debris, which prevents the circulation of hot air around the dryer drum. 
• There is lint or debris buildup inside the dryer vents. 
• A dryer part malfunction may have occurred, like a broken heating element. 

How To Fix Your Electrolux Dryer That Is Not Drying 

There are several ways to troubleshoot your Electrolux dryer if it’s not drying properly. The easiest way is to look for the error codes displayed on the main digital control panel screen and are usually accompanied by flashing lights. 

These codes correspond to blockages or malfunctions in different parts of the dryer. After checking the affected area, you can do a hard reset by turning off the dryer from the power source for 5-10 minutes before turning it back on and seeing if it’s working normally again. 

1. Clean The Vent Pipe

Your Electrolux dryer may display a “EF1” error code, which means there’s a ventilation blockage issue. Lint or other fabric debris can get caught up in the vent pipes, especially if the lint filter isn’t cleaned regularly. 

To fix this, aim to do a deep clean to your vent pipes at least once a year. Use a vacuum to remove debris out both ends of the vent hose and the hood entrance. 

2. Clean The Lint Filter

Your Electrolux dryer lint filter will need to be cleaned regularly, at least after every 1-2 dryer cycles. This is one of the easiest maintenance steps to do, and involves pulling out the filter screen, scooping the lint out with your hands or a tissue, and placing it back. 

3. Check For a Faulty Moisture Sensor

Your Electrolux dryer may display a “EF3” error code, which means the maximum drying time has been reached but the clothes are still wet — which can be due to a clogged duct or faulty moisture sensors. In addition, a “E31” error code means that the moisture sensor is too high, usually from dirty, residue-coated, or faulty sensor bars. This causes improper moisture reading from damp clothes. 

To fix this, check for damage on your moisture sensor bars and clean them with fine sandpaper or rubbing alcohol until the metal becomes shiny. If needed, they can also be replaced.  

4. Check For a Faulty Heating Element 

Your Electrolux dryer may display a “E64” error code, which means either the heating element or wiring is malfunctioning and will need to be replaced. A faulty heating element will provide less or no heat, despite all other mechanisms of the dryer working normally. You may notice your clothes having a lukewarm temperature despite higher dryer cycles and broken or detached heating coils. 

While a new heating element is relatively cheap, the process of replacing a faulty heating element isn’t the easiest, as it involves careful removal, handling of wiring, and testing continuity. Get help from a dryer repair technician if you need extra assistance.  

5. Avoid Overloading The Dryer 

Your Electrolux dryer may display a “E15” error code, which means the dryer is unbalanced or overloaded. The dryer will be able to dry more efficiently if there’s sufficient space between each item of clothing. When clothing is all bunched together, it’s tricky for the hot air to circulate which results in long drying times. 

To fix this, take out some clothes from the dryer and split them into several loads to take the strain off the dryer. Avoid loading the dryer right to the brim, and aim for it to be 3 quarters full at maximum. 

Final Thoughts 

While it can be annoying, an Electrolux dryer that isn’t drying properly is not an overly difficult problem to fix. Common reasons for this occurring include blockages in the key parts of the dryer or faulty components that need to be replaced.

Check the corresponding Electrolux error code to figure out the problem quickly, and examine the affected area to check for damage or debris buildup. If you suspect electrical or wiring issues, or you want help with replacing one or several parts of your dryer, contact Electrolux customer support or a dryer repair technician.