Amana Dryer: not drying

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

If your Amana Dryer is not drying clothes effectively, you may notice damp or partially dry laundry after a cycle, regardless of the settings used. This issue can stem from common causes such as restricted airflow, lint blockages, or incorrect cycle selection. Understanding and addressing these factors can help restore your dryer's performance.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Amana Models

  • Amana dryers may display AF/Check Vent error indicating restricted airflow.

Possible Causes

Restricted airflow in venting system

How to Identify: Longest drying times; warm moist air in drum; weak airflow from outside vent; AF/Check Vent error code on some models.

Part: Dryer exhaust vent / duct / outside hood

Lint filter blockage

How to Identify: Visible lint buildup on filter; reduced airflow; longer cycles with limited drying improvement after full cycles.

Part: Lint screen/filter

Faulty or broken heating element

How to Identify: Dryer drum tumbling but little to no heat; clothes remain cold or damp; multimeter shows broken element continuity.

Part: Heating element

Thermal fuse / safety thermostat failure

How to Identify: Dryer runs but heating cuts out early or doesn’t heat; continuity test on fuse fails.

Part: Thermal fuse/High-limit thermostat

Incorrect cycle/settings selection

How to Identify: Selecting ‘Air Dry/Fluff’ or low-heat cycles yields damp clothes; adjusting to regular/high heat improves dryness.

Part: Control panel/cycle settings

DIY Solutions

Clean lint screen

Easy 5 minutes
  1. Locate and remove the lint screen (usually inside door opening or top of dryer).
  2. Remove lint by hand or brush, then wash screen with warm soapy water if needed and dry before reinstalling.
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure dryer is off before cleaning.

Clean dryer vent/duct to improve airflow

Moderate 30–90 minutes
Tools Needed: Dryer vent cleaning brush kit, Vacuum, Screwdriver
  1. Unplug dryer and disconnect vent from dryer and wall.
  2. Use a vent cleaning brush and vacuum to clear lint buildup in vent hose and ductwork.
  3. Reconnect vent securely and test dryer airflow at outside vent.
  4. Ensure outside hood opens properly and is free of debris.
⚠️ Safety First: Wear mask and gloves.

Select appropriate cycle and heat setting

Easy 2 minutes
  1. Ensure dryer is set to Regular/Normal or More Dry settings for heavier loads.
  2. Avoid Air Dry/Fluff only cycles for wet loads.
  3. Do not overload dryer; use medium-sized loads for best airflow.

Professional Repairs

Replace heating element

Estimated Cost: $40 - $120 (part)

Replace thermal fuse or thermostat

Estimated Cost: $10 - $50 (parts)

Professional vent cleaning service

Estimated Cost: $100 - $200

When to Call a Professional

Dryer still not drying after cleaning vents and lint filter.
No heat confirmed with multimeter or visible component damage.
Unusual electrical issues or intermittent cycles.

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean lint filter: Airflow restriction that slows drying and fire risk
    Frequency: after every use
  • Inspect and clean vent system: Vent blockages that lead to long dry times and overheating
    Frequency: every 1–2 years or annual for heavy use

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Amana Dryer not drying?
Common causes include restricted airflow, lint filter blockage, or incorrect cycle settings.
How do I fix Amana Dryer not drying myself?
Clean the lint screen, check the vent for blockages, and ensure correct cycle settings.
How much does it cost to fix not drying?
Professional repairs can range from $10 to $200 depending on parts and services needed.
When should I call a technician for not drying?
Call a technician if DIY fixes don't work or if you suspect a faulty heating element or thermal fuse.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

50%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Blocked dryer vent (1 mentions)
  • Faulty heating element (2 mentions)
  • Faulty thermostat (2 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Unblock the dryer vent

    Success rate: 33.0%

  2. Replace heating element or thermostat

    Success rate: 0.0%
Analysis based on 3 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Amana dryer model NED4655EW1 troubleshooting
  2. Amana dryer not drying clothes.
  3. Amana dryer not drying clothes 1st time

Community Discussions

not drying clothes

The dryer vent was likely still blocked, causing drying issues.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

User Comments (0)

Share your experience or solution below.

Be the first to comment!