Proper Operation
Learn how your appliance is supposed to operate so you can determine if it is malfunctioning.



This page contains affiliate links. For more information visit our
FTC disclosure page.

  • Visit our sponsor for parts:
The AppliancePartsPros team

Moving Air

The blower draws air into the drum past the heater element and pulls it through the drum. The air exits the drum via the exhaust port and flows through the lint filter. After passing through the lint filter, the air is pushed out the exhaust vent by the blower wheel.

The drum baffles also play a role in moving the air inside the drum. The rotating baffles pull the air down from the drum inlet and swirl it around to the exhaust port.

Air flow is often impedded by excessive lint in the filter and lint buildup downstream from the blower exhaust. When the warm moist air cannot leave the machine, the time required to dry the clothes goes up. An automatic dryer will run excessively long and a timed cycle dryer will shut off before the clothes are dry.