Although LG is a top dryer brand, their dryers are prone to certain problems. Whenever these problems arise, it is important to know how to diagnose the problem and fix it. To make the process easier, here are the top 5 common LG dryer problems and how to fix them.
Problems with LG dryers include: thermal fuse/heater assembly burn out, heating element burns out, drum rollers seized up, main control board relay stuck, and blower housing thermostat goes out.
Problems with LG dryers You Need To Know About
1. Thermal Fuse On Heater Assembly Burns Out
One of the most common LG dryer problems is that the thermal fuse on the heater assembly blows or burns out.
This problem is incredibly important to fix since the thermal fuse prevents the machine from overheating and protects your appliance and home from catching on fire.
Typically, you can tell that a thermal fuse is burnt out whenever the dryer isn’t getting hot at all or if it is not getting hot enough to dry clothes properly.
However, don’t assume that the fuse is burnt out immediately because there are other, less costly reasons why your dryer isn’t getting sufficient heat.
To troubleshoot, do the following steps to determine exactly why your dryer isn’t getting hot enough to dry your clothes:
- Unplug Dryer: Before troubleshooting your dryer, make sure to unplug the dryer so you can safely check the fuse.
- Find The Fuse: Use your user’s manual or look online to find the fuse.
- Remove Access Panel: Use a screwdriver to remove the access panel disconnect wires from fuse.
- Test Fuse Using A
Multimeter : Use amultimeter to see if the fuse is blown.
If you find that the fuse is blown, buy a new fuse that is an exact match as your existing fuse.
Make sure that the dryer is unplugged when you install the new fuse and reconnect the wires.
If the fuse is not blown, contact a professional to diagnose and fix the problem.
2. Heating Element Burns Out
Another common problem of LG dryers is that the heating element burns out.
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Whenever the heating element burns out, the dryer will not be able to properly heat up or dry your clothes, making the appliance useless.
The easiest way to see if the heating element is burnt out is to check to see if any of the heating coils are detached or broken.
A detached or broken heating coil is an obvious sign that the heating element has burnt out.
With that being said, you can’t always detect a burnt out heating element from looking.
Instead, you will need to perform a continuity test. A continuity test will tell you whether or not a continuous electrical path is present in your heating element.
If the element has continuity, then the heating element works properly.
You can use a multimeter to perform the continuity test. When using the multimeter, make sure than the tool is calibrated to the heater.
More so, remove the heating element from the dryer before performing the test. Touch each terminal with a probe.
If the reading is between 0 and 50 ohms of resistance, then the element works properly.
If the needle or the reading does not change significantly, then the heating element is burnt out. Replace the heating element if it is burnt out.
3. Drum Rollers Can Be Seized
Many LG dryer owners experience a drum roller that is seized. What this means is that the drum doesn’t tumble properly.
You can easily detect that a drum roller has been seized when it makes a loud, grinding noise.
If the drum roller is seized, then you will need to replace all four rollers, even if only one of them has seized.
The reason for this is that worn rollers are often the cause of a drum roller that fails to turn.
Replacing all the rollers ensures that the roller tumbles freely and prevents from any other premature seized rollers.
When you are installing new rollers, you can reuse the existing roller shaft if it is in new condition.
If you reuse your roller shaft, make sure to clean it thoroughly before installing new rollers.
If the roller shaft is in poor condition, then replace that part before installing the new rollers.
4. Main Control Board Motor Relay Stuck In ON Position
Another problem of LG dryers is that the main control board motor relay gets stuck in the ON position.
This causes the dryer to continue spinning, even after the dryer cycle is concluded.
The only way to then get the drum to stop rolling is to keep the door open or unplug the appliance.
If you are finding that the drum continues to roll unless the door is open or the appliance is unplugged, then you probably have a problem with the main control board motor.
For a problem of this kind, you will need to install a completely new main control board.
To install a new main control board, make sure that the dryer is completely unplugged before repair.
Then, use a screwdriver to disconnect the top from the main cabinet. Slide the top back and lift it off the dryer. You will see the main control board.
Begin to remove the main control board by removing the wires from the retaining tabs and disconnect the wires.
Unscrew the mounting screws to remove the old port. Now, install the new port in the slots on the side panel.
Slide the new port into place and reconnect the wires. Finally, put the top back onto the dryer and secure it into place.
5. Blower Housing Thermostat Burns Out
Finally, the last most common problem of LG dryers is that the blower housing thermostat burns out.
This is a major problem since the blower housing thermostat controls the temperature of the air inside the dryer.
You will know that the blower housing thermostat is burnt out when the dryer won’t start, but just clicks.
If a blower housing thermostat is burnt, you will need to replace the burnt part with a new one.
Luckily, this is easy to do, although you will need to disassemble many parts of the dryer to access the thermostat.
First, begin by unplugging the dryer. Then, remove the top of the dryer using a screwdriver. Pull off the top lid.
Disconnect the wire harnesses on the control panel and remove the panel console using a screwdriver.
Set the panel aside. Disconnect the front panel by removing the wiring harness and removing the screws connecting the front panel to the housing. Set the panel aside.
Now, remove the silver brace by removing the wiring harnesses and holders. Then, remove the bracket by unscrewing them.
Lift the panel up and set it aside. Disconnect the wire harness that goes to the moisture sensor.
Once released, take the bulkhead off using a screwdriver. Remove pulleys to put slack in the belt and remove the dryer drum.
The part will be located on the backside of the blower housing. Remove the wires and unscrew the thermostat. Place in the new thermostat and reconnect the wires. Reassemble the dryer.
Final Thoughts
We hope that this article has helped you diagnose and fix your problems with LG dryers. Remember to always be safe and cautious when fixing your dryer.
Hi Eugene,
Model: DLEX3900B the dryer dropped from 57 mins to 1 min then the machine stopped. I had changed the moisture sensor and main pcb already, and the motor and vent work fine .Do you have any advice? Thanks
1. When you replaced moisture sensor plates, did you check wires continuity from the plates to the control board?
2. Did you try to run the dryer without hose attached? Same thing happened?
My LG dryer (Model Number DLEX3370W) continually has issues where the clothes inside the dryer get caught on the edge of the lint filter and twist up in the biggest and tightest knots. Buying a new lint filter to replace the one in the dryer works a little while, then it subsequently starts again. Is there a better method to prevent this from happening?
Before buying a new lint filter, i would check the whole assembly and see why filter does not sit firmly in there. Another option is to buy the whole thing with a new filter.
Hi – When using the Steam function on our DLEX3875W, it uses excessive amounts of water, which seems to drain directly into the drum. suggestions?
How do you know that it is an excessive amount of water? You should not see any water in the drum
LG DLE7100W dryer won’t stop drying once the timer displays 16 minutes left. Then it seems to change from timer cycle to a never ending cycle. It won’t stop drying the load & gets too hot. Please help.
lg DLE7100W dryer dries laundry, then with 16 minutes left to go it continues to dry laundry forever, like it goes from a timer cycle to a “never stop drying” cycle.
Laundry gets frying hot from that.
My dryer no longer makes sounds when starting or stopping. What could I check?
Opened door while lg front load was running now unit will not power up on control panel drum light is on when door is open
try to reset power
My dryer lost power after pressing the pause/play button. I reset the dryer, but it will not run a cycle. I’m able to turn on the unit and select a cycle, but after I press the start button the control panel locks up – even the power button. I have to unplug it to turn it off – any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thank you
Check this article 6 Reasons Why LG Dryer Won’t Start
Have you had anyone complain of an oil smell coming from dryer. My clothes come out smelling of oil. Repairman came but couldn’t find any issues. He unscrewed the vent and cleaned inside. The smell is still there. I can even smell it when I open my linen closet coming from the towels
My dryer will start then stop for a minute, then go for 5 -10 sec then stop for minute, it does this for about 15 min before it finally goes for the full cycle, it heats up and dries clothes for the most part sometimes we do need to run it twice.
You need a new dryer motor.
Hi, my LG drier stops midcycle. The laundry is superhot. The watertank is empty or close to empty.
I empty it anyway, clean the filters and restart. It works for a little while then same issue.
Sometimes it dries an entire washing macchine, seems to work better with lighter loads. (i dont overfill it)
Ideas?
Brand new LG DLGX4201B unit runs but won’t heat up. error says GAS but the unit has GAS going to it. Did the Propane conversion as specified. Any ideas what it could be?
DLGX4201B brand new dryer installed. Runs but won’t heat up. When running start up feature get error message GAS. But it has GAS. Did propane conversion as specified. Any ideas what it could be?
My dryer powers on and you can select a cycle but won’t start. I have unplugged it tried the breaker nothing
Did you ever figure your issue out. I’m having a similar problem. The power light is on and all the setting lights are on at once. I can’t change any settings and I push start and nothing happens. I was wondering if you figured your issue out
Dryer stopped and now will not
Power up at all. Tried unplugging etc. still nothing. What is the problem
1. Noise filter failed
2. Control board failed
Is this pricey to fix or need a whole new dryer ?
Whats the model number of your dryer and I will tell you how much parts cost
Eugene, my LG dryer turns on and all controls work. When I go to the setting of my choosing and hit start the dryer clicks and says it’s drying but the drum doesn’t spin. What I’ve concluded is the fuse on back of blower. I need to test it with multimeter and am in the process of getting. If that’s not it I don’t know what else it could be. I’ve called 4 different appliance repair in my area and not one can come or don’t work on LG. I’ve taken the dryer completely apart so can access all the different potential problems. Thoughts?
1. yes, thermal fuse on the blower
2. Drum belt
3. Idler pulley broken
Justin, did you figure this out? My dryer is doing what you described…
my dryer dle7200we will not heat up. the new blower doesn’t come on, voltage is good, thermostat is good as well as others on the check list. could it be the control panel?
Last year, It took me a while to figure out the relay issue on the Control Board. So thank you for bringing it up, for future trouble shooters! My recent problem with the gas dryer is NO Heat. Every item on my check list checks out fine. Thermostat, gas valve coils, thermister, ignitor, and flame fuse. They are all good. Will this mean the big bad ‘Control Board’ again?
it’s possible, but i would try to find an electrical diagram for your dryer and will try to troubleshoot it using multimeter, to see if the control board is sending power or not. But if you didn’t have experience with electrical troubleshooting, call an experienced appliance repair tech
hey, i have the same problem. Did the control panel fix this issue?
No, it was one of the thermostats. I just replaced both of them (the ones attached to the heating chamber) since they are inexpensive. Solved the problem!!
The T-stats showed continuity though. Go figure.
what is wrong when the dryer has no power, but it is plugged into a live socket. All the controls are completely dead as though the unit is unplugged. It was working and then just went dead. I have ran an extension cord and plugged it into another plug but still doesn’t show power. My wife filled the steam reservoir and then the unit stoped. ??????
If you know how to use a multimeter, I would check the power on the control board. If there is incoming power, then it could be a problem with the control board
Hi Eugene,
Mine did the same as Wayne. Filled the steam reservoir, started the dryer and then it stopped and will not turn on. Just had a tech check it out and he said the Main PCB and the Display PCB need replaced. Is there any chance it could just be one and not the other? Any chance of not needing to replace both?
Thank you for explaining LG tumble dryer.
You are welcome