A washer-dryer is a great convenience, especially when you’re short on space. However, unfortunately, there are days when even the most reliable dryers, like the LG washer and dryer combo, let you down.
Overloading is usually the reason since it restricts air circulation needed for timely drying. As a result, you get hot and wet clothes, which is the opposite of what you expect.
While overloading and clogs can be a quick DYI fix, failed parts usually require professional repair.
Today, we’ll troubleshoot the LG washer-dryer combo to find the most common reasons and solutions to the problem.
Why is your LG Washer Dryer Combo not Drying?
To understand what could be causing an issue, you should first learn how the washer-dryer works. Like the regular bumble drier, washer driers turn water into vapor with the heater.
Then the steam is condensed and pumped like the water used for washing.
A heating element in the machine warms the air and creates steam from the moisture in your clothes. The steam is then pushed into the condensing unit via the fan and a vent.
The condenser needs to be cold to turn the vapor back into liquid. So there is the cold water input in your washer-dryer which cools the condenser down.
Finally, the water runs into the bottom of the washer and dries where it is pumped out.
The process is relatively simple, unlike issues that could appear along the way. So let’s go through each of them in detail.
1. Clogged dryer vent
LG washer-dryer vent expels warm air to prevent it from overheating. Still, link and debris accumulating during the drying cycle somehow find a way from the lint filter and into the vent.
These byproducts could accumulate to the point where they break a blockage that limits air circulation.
As a result, the washer-dryer leaves your clothes damp. In extreme cases, debris could even cause dryer fires.
But don’t worry. LG dryers will usually notify you about the degrees of the vent blockage with the d80, d90, and d95 error codes. If you see this error code, your should clear the blockage immediately.
2. Overloaded LG dryer
Pay attention to the loads if your LG washer-dryer combo is infrequently drying. Overloading is one of the most common reasons in this case.
If too many clothes are in the dryer drum, the airflow will be restricted, and it will take too long for the dryer to dry your clothes in a single dry cycle.
So the dryer will take two cycles to dry every item properly, wasting time and energy. And your clothes might not be dry after all.
3. Using the wrong settings
If you use the wrong settings to dry your laundry, it influences the time it takes to dry your clothes. When you select the air-dry settings for a load filled with towels, sheets, and jeans, the laundry will most likely come out damp.
Depending on your load, you have to ensure you’re using only a little heat.
4. Blown thermal fuse
The thermal fuse could blow when your drier is in danger of overheating. Correspondingly, the cycle will start once the fuse is replaced. If you notice that your dryer is not starting a cycle, the thermal fuse could be to blame.
5. Broken LG dryer heating element
Once you check all of the reasons mentioned above and find nothing that causes the LG washer-dryer combo not to dry, check the heating element. It is a heating metal coil that heats the air before it enters the dryer’s drum.
Unfortunately, heating elements could burn out over time, leaving your dryer with no heat.
In gas dryers, on the other hand, an igniter lights the gas in the burner assembly to create hot air.
The igniter could also burn out over time and won’t produce the sparks needed to light the gas.
How to fix an LG Washer Dryer Combo not Drying?
LG washer-dryer combo not drying is as severe an issue as the washer not spinning. As you can see, it could be caused by many things that cost you a few minutes or an entire replacement part to fix.
Nevertheless, it would help if you acted on it immediately after discovering what’s causing the issue. A delay could result in more severe problems.
Most often, it’s enough to divide the load into two smaller loads. But sometimes, you might have to replace the thermal fuse or the heating elements.
So, now, let’s sum up the most common solutions to the LG washer-dryer combo not drying.
1. Check the heat
The first and foremost thing you should check when the dryer is not drying is heat. Hold your palm beneath the exterior exhaust hood for five to ten minutes while the dryer is on to monitor the airflow.
The air movement should be equal to that of the hair dryer at high speed. If it is, clean the lint. However, you should check the heating element and thermal fuse if there is no heat and air movement. We’ll talk about it later.
2. Avoid overloading
Not only could overloading cause drying issues, but it also produces noise and even cause some essential parts to burn out (because of too much effort required to dry your clothes).
Besides, it makes your LG washer-dryer combo work harder, uses more power, and increases the drying time.
To avoid overloading, dry only one wash at a time and ensure your load fills the dryer ¾ of the way to ensure optimal airflow.
Besides, if the load is huge, try to divide it into smaller loads for drying. It simply increases efficiency. And finally, dry large items like bedding, towels, and rugs separately.
3. Clean dryer vents
You know your LG washer-dryer combo works when an open stream of hot air is rushing through the vent while the dryer operates. But when it gets clogged, your clothes won’t dry.
To clean your dryer vents, unplug the dryer and move it away from the wall. Then disconnect the vent from the dryer and the wall.
Try to remove any visible blockages inside the vent with a brush or narrow vacuum hose attachment. Brush away the debris from the vent opening. Once you finish, reconnect the vent to the dryer and interior wall. Response power and reposition it in place.
4. Check dryer vent installation.
If the LG washer dryer is not drying after you clean the vent, you should check the installation instructions to ensure the dryer vent system is installed correctly. The vent system must fall within the recommended lengths.
Besides, it is recommended to use vents made of rigid metal. They are best for drying performance and help avoid crushing and kinking.
5. Clean the sensor
Cleaning the sensors is advised by several washer manufacturers to get precise moisture detection. When sensors are not clean, the clothes dryer might no longer dry clothes.
However, before cleaning the sensor, refer to the user manual for specific instructions.
6. Check the thermal fuse.
A multimeter will help you confirm whether the fuse has blown and lacks continuity. However, it is important to determine why the dryer may be in danger of overheating.
From our experience, clogged dryer vents are the most common reason. So check it before you replace the thermal fuse.
7. Check the heating element.
Same as with the thermal fuse, use a multimeter to check whether the heating element is working fine, regardless of the dryer you have: electric dryer or gas dryer. If it shows no continuity, replace it with a new one.
8. Make sure there is enough space for a dryer.
If the closet of your LG washer-dryer combo is too small for the machine, it won’t be drying clothes properly.
Make sure the closet doors have top and bottom ventilation apertures. A minimum of 3 inches of airspace is needed on each side for the front of the washer-dryer.
We recommend checking the machine installation instructions for more information on the space requirements.
Adrian is an ISCET licensed professional that has completed the National Appliance Service Technician Certification Exam and has the expertise to diagnose and repair any appliance. He is well-versed in the latest technologies and techniques and is always up-to-date on the latest industry standards.
