Ask Danny Start a job

Dryer takes too long to dry: check the vent first

A dryer has to push hot, wet air outside. When lint blocks that path, drying slows down and heat builds up where it should not.

Before you start: Lint buildup is a fire hazard. If the dryer or laundry room smells hot, stop using it until the vent is cleared. Unplug the dryer before moving it, and on a gas dryer do not pull on the gas line. If you smell gas, leave and call your gas utility from outside.

What to check first

  1. The lint screen

    Clean it every load. If water beads on it, dryer sheets have left a film; wash it with soap and water.

  2. The outside vent hood

    With the dryer running, feel the air at the vent outside. Weak airflow means a blockage. Clear lint from the flap.

  3. The vent duct

    Disconnect the duct behind the dryer and clean it with a vent brush kit. Replace crushed or plastic foil duct with semi-rigid or rigid metal duct.

  4. Load size and settings

    Overloaded drums and the wrong cycle setting can double drying time.

  5. Heat

    If the air never gets warm with a clear vent, an electric dryer may have a failed heating element or thermal fuse. A gas dryer that will not heat needs a technician.

Get the list for your store

Ask Danny turns this job into a one-trip parts list for Home Depot and Lowe's, with aisle numbers and price estimates. Free, and no account needed.

Build my parts list

Parts you may need

  • Dryer vent cleaning brush kitLong flexible rods that reach through the duct.
  • 4 inch semi-rigid or rigid metal dryer ductKeep the run as short and straight as you can.
  • 4 inch clamps and foil tapeUse foil tape, not cloth duct tape, and no screws, which catch lint.
  • Exterior dryer vent hoodIf the flap is broken or stuck.
  • Dryer thermal fuseElectric dryers only. Order by model number.

Tools

  • Screwdriver or nut driver
  • Vacuum
  • Vent brush kit

Call a licensed pro if

  • A gas dryer that will not heat, or any smell of gas
  • The vent runs through the roof, or a long way inside a wall
  • The dryer scorches clothes or shuts off hot

General guidance, not professional advice. Parts differ by brand and model, so check yours before buying. Aisle numbers and prices in the app are estimates. How Ask Danny uses AI. Updated September 16, 2026.

More appliance repairs