Dryer Takes Too Long — Almost Always the Vent
If a load used to take 45 minutes and now takes 90+ minutes, your dryer hasn't "gotten weaker". 95% of "slow drying" complaints are vent restriction. This is a fire hazard, not just an annoyance — clean the vent before it becomes urgent.
BHGS Licensed #50446 · Same-day service · $60 diagnostic credited toward repair · Updated June 2026
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Common Causes
1. Lint buildup in vent duct (almost always the cause)
Lint accumulates in the rigid wall duct and outside vent hood over 6-24 months. Airflow drops, moist air can't escape, drying time doubles or triples. Continued operation increases fire risk every cycle.
2. Crushed or kinked vent hose
The flexible hose between dryer and wall gets squashed when the dryer is pushed back. Sharp 90° bends collect lint faster and restrict airflow even when clean.
3. Outside vent flap stuck closed
The flap on the exterior vent hood is supposed to open when the dryer runs and close when off. Bird nests, paint, or rust can lock it half-open. Air goes nowhere.
4. Long vent run (architecture problem)
Manufacturer recommends no more than 25-35 feet of duct (depending on bends). Some condo/apartment layouts exceed this. If your unit has always been slow, this could be the reason.
5. Cycling thermostat or sensor weakness
Less common: the moisture sensor or cycling thermostat starts cutting heat off too aggressively. Combined with restricted vent, makes drying very slow.
What You Can Check Yourself
Try these in order — most take 5-10 minutes and many resolve the problem without a service call.
- 1
Disconnect and inspect the vent hose
Pull dryer 18" from wall. Disconnect the vent hose from both ends. Shake out lint. Look inside — should be clear duct, not a felt-like coating. If you see thick lint cake, you found the problem.
- 2
Clean the wall duct
With hose disconnected, use a long flexible vent brush (or shop-vac attachment) to clean the wall duct all the way to the exterior. You'll be shocked how much lint comes out.
- 3
Check airflow at the exterior vent
Run the dryer on any setting. Go outside and hold your hand near the vent hood. You should feel strong warm air pushing the flap open. Weak or no airflow = duct is still blocked or hood flap is stuck.
- 4
Try a single-towel test load
After cleaning vent, dry a single dry towel for 10 minutes on high. It should be warm and dry. If it's slow, problem isn't vent — it's heating element or thermostat.
When to Call a Pro
- →You've cleaned the vent end-to-end and drying time is still 2x normal
- →Dryer is in a closet/laundry room with venting through walls (often needs professional rigid duct redesign)
- →You see signs of moisture damage on the wall near the dryer — vent may be leaking inside the wall
- →Stacked units where you can't access the back vent
Typical cost
$60 diagnostic. Vent cleaning + service $120–$200. Heating element / thermostat if needed $180–$280.
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