How To Troubleshoot Amana Dryer? Step by Step Guide

No matter how well-engineered a dryer might be, the machine will, at some point, experience common dryer problems. Amana models are excellent, but even they will require troubleshooting from time to time.

Some of the most common Amana dryer problems you’ll have to troubleshoot include a machine that won’t turn on, won’t dry your clothes successfully, make abnormal noises, and overheat. A malfunctioning dryer can be pretty hazardous, so be sure to troubleshoot yours at the earliest sign of a problem.

This troubleshooting guide will address 4 of the most common problems affecting Amana dryers. Keep reading to discover their root causes and the solutions you can use to fix them.

#1 What Would Cause An Amana Dryer Not To Turn On?

Parts to check: An Amana dryer that won’t turn on typically suffers from a power supply issue. So, you’ll want to focus your troubleshooting on these parts:

• The dryer’s power cord and plug
• The wall socket your dryer uses
• The circuit breakers protecting that wall socket

Simply put, the power supply that your Amana dryer uses must pass through the three parts listed above. 

A problem at one or more of those parts will prevent the electric current from reaching the dryer, thereby causing it not to turn on.

How failure happens: Each of the three parts of your Amana dryer’s incoming power supply can fail in unique ways that lead to the machine not turning on.

For example, the power cord’s rips, tears, and holes can stop it from working correctly.

Meanwhile, the wall socket you plug the dryer into can have a fault that stops it from functioning, like a short circuit after a voltage surge.

Lastly, the circuit breakers protecting the wall socket and its circuit could have tripped. Tripped circuit breakers deliberately stop electric current from flowing to your dryer, which is why it won’t turn on.

How to resolve it: Fixing this issue will require you to solve the specific power supply problem affecting your dryer.

So, replace the power cord if it’s damaged. A faulty wall socket will need a qualified electrician to fix it because it’s too dangerous for most people to do it as a DIY repair.

Lastly, reset any tripped circuit breakers by pushing them to the OFF position and then back to the other side where it says ON.

Read: How To Fix Amana Dryer Squeaking Noise? – Troubleshooting Guide

#2 Why Is My Amana Dryer Not Drying My Clothes?

Parts to check: When your Amana dryer fails to dry your clothes, there’s either a lack of heat or a lack of airflow (or both).

The absence of heat means you’ll have to check the heating element. But for airflow-related issues, check the lint filter and the dryer venting ducts.

How failure happens: Your Amana dryer must have plenty of heat and airflow to dry your clothes effectively.

Unfortunately, that won’t happen if the heating element’s coils have broken. When electrical current passes through those broken coils, only some (if any) will produce heat. So unless all coils work correctly, the machine won’t get hot enough to dry your clothes.

Meanwhile, restricted airflow will trap moisture in the dryer, leaving your clothes wet at the end of the cycle. 

Dirty lint traps and clogged venting ducts will stop air from flowing out of the dryer, causing that problem.

How to resolve it: A faulty or damaged heating element cannot be repaired. So, you’ll have to purchase a new one for your Amana dryer. Make sure to choose one compatible with your Amana dryer model so it fits correctly.

Thankfully, restricted airflow is much easier to resolve. Clean the lint trap and vacuum any dirt or lit buildups in the venting ducts.

Read: Why Amana Dryer Not Turning ON Or Not Spinning? – Troubleshooting Guide

#3 Why Is My Amana Dryer Making Noise?

Parts to check: An Amana dryer will make abnormal noises if its moving parts wear out or if there are foreign objects stuck where they don’t belong.

So, start by focusing on any small foreign objects stuck inside the dryer, particularly between the drum and the frame. That includes screws, hairpins, and more.

Then, you must inspect the drum glides, bearings, and rollers to see if they’re worn out.

How failure happens: Foreign objects typically enter your dryer from your clothes pockets. Forgotten items like hairpins and paperclips will fall out of those pockets as the clothes tumble.

When those items get stuck in small gaps, like between the drum and the frame, the movement and friction will cause loud grinding noises you hear from the machine.

Besides that, drum glides, bearings, and rollers are meant to turn along with the drum to keep things balanced. 

Unfortunately, when those components wear out, they struggle to turn and will generate sounds like grinding and squealing, too.

How to resolve it: Any foreign objects trapped in your Amana dryer must be removed immediately. That will eliminate the noises that they create.

As for the drum glides, bearings, and rollers, you’ll have to replace them with new ones. Replacing them quickly will stop the noise and prevent excess wear on your dryer motor.

Read: Why Amana Dryer Won’t Start Just Clicks – Troubleshooting Guide

#4 What Causes An Amana Dryer To Overheat?

Parts to check: Overheating in an Amana dryer is caused by restricted airflow. All Amana dryers produce plenty of heat. But as long as the heated air can flow through the machine smoothly, none of its components will overheat.

So, check the parts that air must pass through, namely:

• The lint trap
• The dryer’s internal and external ducts
• The external vent and its flap

How failure happens: Restricted airflow at any of the parts listed above will occur after an extended time due to clogs. The clogs consist of clothes lint and dirt or debris that build up over an extended period.

Those clogs stop air from flowing smoothly, which causes heat to build up inside the dryer. As a result, the dryer will gradually become hotter until it overheats to dangerous temperatures.

How to resolve it: You can fix this by cleaning all components where air passes through. The lint trap is the easiest to clean, so start there.

Then, remove the dryer’s rear panel so you can remove and clean its internal air ducts thoroughly. The same should also be done with the external ducts that carry hot and moist air out of your dryer towards the exterior vent.

Lastly, clean the external dryer vent outside your home or building. Most vents have a flap that opens and closes automatically as air flows past, so clean that too.

Read: How To Fix Amana Dryer Not Heating Or Not Drying? – Troubleshooting Guide

Additional Questions And Answers

Here are a few more questions and answers to help you better understand your Amana dryer:

How Long Should An Amana Dryer Last?

A well-maintained Amana dryer will last 10 years or more. You can expect more parts to fail and problems to happen as the dryer reaches the end of its lifespan.

Is It Worth Repairing A 10-Year-Old Dryer?

Repairing a 10-year-old Amana dryer is worth it if the repair is quick and not too expensive. However, when repairs get too expensive, your money might be better spent on a new Amana model with all the latest features.

Read: Why Amana Dryer Getting Hot But Not Drying Clothes – Troubleshooting Guide

Can I Fix My Dryer Myself?

Yes, it’s possible to fix your Amana dryer yourself. However, you should consider hiring a professional technician if you don’t have the necessary tools, skills, or experience. A technician would have performed the same repair before and can get it done quicker.

How Can You Tell If Your Dryer Is Going Out?

You’ll know a dryer is going out when too many components fail one after the other. Remember: it’s normal for a dryer to have an occasional problem. But when those problems become more frequent, your dryer is likely reaching the end of its lifespan.

Is It Better To Fix A Dryer Or Buy A New One?

That depends on your budget and the dryer’s age. If the dryer is old (e.g. over 10 years) and you can afford a new unit, you’ll have a better time buying a more recent and better model.