A Dryer's Electrical Plug Is Not Getting the Proper Voltage

Dryer Does Not Heat

• When your dryer’s electrical plug is not receiving the proper amount of electrical voltage, the dryer does not function properly. This means the dryer does not heat up as much as it should, if at all. When you open the dryer after it has supposedly finished a drying cycle, you should notice the clothes you put inside are still wet and do not feel warm like they usually would. You may also carefully feel the dryer's exhaust hose to see if the dryer has been heating up as it normally would.

Dryer Running

• If the dryer’s electrical plug is not receiving the proper amount of voltage, the dryer may still run. The dryer's motor does not require as much electrical current to operate correctly as the heating element. This means the dryer’s drum spins even though the dryer may not heat up and dry the clothes.

Multimeter

• You may assume that the dryer’s electrical plug is not getting enough voltage by looking for some symptoms of the problem, but the only way to confirm the problem is by using a multimeter. A multimeter measures electrical current at different contact points. Place the multimeter nodes on the wall receptacle to see how much current is flowing. If the proper amount of current is in the receptacle, plug in the dryer and test the electrical cord’s connections with the dryer.

Electrical Problems

• A problem with your house’s electrical system can explain why the dryer is not getting enough electricity. Check the electrical panel and pay special attention to the breaker for your laundry area. If the breaker switch does not line up with the other breaker switches, this could affect the dryer’s ability to receive enough electrical current to dry the clothes effectively. Push the tripped switch back in line with the other switches and try the dryer again. Inspect your house’s fuses as well, since a blown fuse can also decrease the electrical flow to the dryer.