Safety Boundary
Stop before gas-line work, live electrical testing, or bypassing thermal safety devices.
Start Here
- Clean the lint screen and check exterior vent airflow.
- Confirm the drum is not overloaded.
- Note whether the dryer heats, tumbles, and counts down normally.
- For gas dryers, leave gas smell or ignition work to a professional.
Decision Path
- Runs but does not dry: Airflow is the first branch. A blocked vent can mimic part failure and create fire risk.
Next: Review airflow and vent restriction codes. - No heat: Separate electric heating, gas ignition, and thermal cutoff symptoms.
Next: Use heat and sensor code guides. - Stops mid-cycle: Check overheating, motor strain, and control faults after airflow is clear.
Next: Compare thermistor, motor, and control codes.
Stop and Call for Service
- Gas smell
- Scorched lint or burning odor
- Dryer too hot to touch
- Breaker trips or visible arcing
Next Code Guides
Once the symptom branch is clear, compare the matching brand-specific pages in the Clothes Dryer error-code library.