Is your LG dryer tumbling away but still leaving clothes damp or only slightly warmer? You’re not alone. Many users struggle with this issue, but the good news is most causes are fixable on your own. Let’s walk through why it’s happening and what you can do to fix it.
How Drying Works
Drying clothes requires two things: **heat** to evaporate water, and **airflow** to move moist air away. If either is weak or blocked, clothes won’t dry fully—even if the drum spins.
Common Reasons LG Doesn’t Dry Clothes Fully
- Clogged lint filter or housing
- Blocked or long dryer vent duct
- Faulty heating element or low heat output
- Moisture sensor stopping the cycle too early
- Damaged blower wheel or restricted airflow
- Overloading the drum
- Energy saver or sensor-dry mode limiting heat
- Defective thermostat, drive belt, or door switch
Step 1: Clean the Lint Filter—Every Time
A clogged lint filter reduces airflow dramatically. Even residue from dryer sheets can block airflow. Clean the lint screen before every load and remove built-up lint from the housing and door.
Step 2: Check the Exhaust Vent
Blocked ducts, kinks, or excessively long vent runs can starve the dryer of airflow—and lead to damp clothes. Disconnect the duct and vacuum or brush it all the way to the exterior vent. Trim or straighten any kinked sections for better airflow.
Step 3: Avoid Overloading
Filling the drum past two‑thirds or especially with heavy items like towels or bedding reduces tumbling and airflow. Keep loads moderate and mix items or use dryer balls to help separate fabrics.
Step 4: Inspect the Blower Wheel
The blower wheel pulls air past the heating element through the drum and out the vent. If it’s clogged with lint or wobbling on the motor shaft, airflow drops dramatically. Open the back panel and check if it spins freely and isn’t obstructed.
Step 5: Verify Heat Delivery
If the exhaust is warm yet clothes stay damp, the heating element, thermostat, or thermal fuse may be failing. Use a multimeter to check continuity—if broken, replacement is usually required.
Step 6: Clean or Replace Moisture Sensor
LG dryers use moisture sensors that tell the unit to stop when clothes are dry. If these sensors get covered by lint or residue, they can signal the dryer to stop prematurely. Wipe the sensor bars clean with rubbing alcohol or a soft cloth.
Step 7: Turn Off Energy Saver / Sensor Dry Mode
Some LG models default to **Energy Saver** or **Sensor Dry**, which tumbles without heat for long stretches before warming—resulting in barely-dry loads. Hold the Energy Saver button to disable it as default for faster drying.
Step 8: Power Cycle the Dryer
A short power glitch or firmware hiccup can affect performance. Simply unplug the dryer or turn off its breaker for a minute, then restart. This often clears minor control issues.
Step 9: Consider Other Internal Issues
If cleaning and settings don’t solve it, these deeper issues may be at play:
- Faulty drum drive belt or drum seal
- Bad door switch interrupting cycles
- Defective thermostat or thermistor misreading temps
- Control board issues misrouting power or signals
These parts can sometimes be tested and replaced by handypersons with basic tools—but call a technician if you’re not comfortable.
Real Users, Real Fixes
“Dryer tumbles and has heat, but takes multiple cycles to dry. Turned out the exterior vent was almost blocked—definitely airflow issue.”
“Sensor Dry mode always ended the cycle too early. Holding down the energy-saver button disabled it and now clothes dry fully.”
“Cleaning the lint trap wasn’t enough. When I pulled out the duct and cleaned the whole line it dried like new.”
LG Dryer Not Drying—Checklist
- Clean lint filter and screen housing.
- Disconnect and clean vent duct, check exterior vent.
- Don’t overload; leave space for tumbling.
- Inspect blower wheel for blockages or wobble.
- Run dryer empty and check if exhaust is hot.
- Clean the moisture sensor bars.
- Hold Energy Saver button off sensor-dry default.
- Power cycle the dryer to reset electronics.
- Test heating element, thermostat, door switch if needed.
- Call a technician for internal repairs if no fix yet.
Preventive Maintenance Tips
- Clean the lint trap every load and wipe the housing weekly.
- Have vents cleaned at least once a year—or more often if heavily used.
- Use dryer balls to improve tumbling and airflow.
- Disable default Energy Saver to improve heating.
- Inspect drum seals and belts every year for wear.
When to Call a Technician
If you’ve checked airflow, cleaned, reset settings, and still feel clothes are damp—especially despite heat output—it’s best to call a repair pro. Issues like failing heating coils, moisture sensors, or control board errors require diagnostic tools and expertise to fix safely.
Final Thoughts
Laundry that comes out damp is more about airflow and sensor control than the dryer’s age. Most times, cleaning vents and filters, fine‑tuning settings, and ensuring proper tumbling solve the issue. If you exhaust those steps and it still doesn’t dry well, a technician can pinpoint deeper failures.
You’ve got this—follow these steps carefully, and your dryer should be drying reliably once more. 🧺