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Clothes are not dry after using Samsung dryer

If your dryer is heating but the clothes are still damp, then your vent is probably blocked. If your dryer has weak heat and runs for a long time, this could also indicate a blocked vent. And if your dryer ends after only a couple of minutes with soaking wet clothes, then your moisture sensors could be dirty. To make sure you're performing the correct troubleshooting steps, first determine if your dryer has hot air at all, then we'll guide you through the steps to resolve the issue.
A Samsung washer and dryer with the lids open in a laundry room. A Samsung washer and dryer with the lids open in a laundry room.
A Samsung washer and dryer with the lids open in a laundry room. A Samsung washer and dryer with the lids open in a laundry room.

Clothes are not dry after using Samsung dryer

Important
Laundry may be damp at the end of a steam dry cycle; if so, the laundry will need to lay flat or be hung to dry, or finish drying on a different cycle.

What heating issue does your dryer have?

Dryer cycle takes too long
Dryer has no heat at all
Dryer cycle ends too quickly
Dryer is not hot enough
Dryer cycle takes too long
Note
If you already know your dryer is heating at least a little bit, you can skip Step 4.
1
Check how much heat the dryer gives.

Set the dryer to Time Dry, make sure Eco Dry is turned off, and then start a cycle. After 30 seconds, open the door and feel inside.

 

  • If it still feels cold inside, and there's no hot air at all, please see the Dryer has no heat at all section to continue troubleshooting.
  • If there is at least a little bit of heat, service is almost never required. Use the following steps to resolve the issue.
2
Clean the lint filter.

Sensor Dry cycles run until the clothes are dry. If it's taking a long time, the most common reason is that moisture isn't leaving the dryer.


The lint filter is the first place where moisture might get blocked, so clean the lint filter before or after every cycle.

Person taking out the lint filter from Samsung Dryer 

Note
On models with the setting, Eco Dry will automatically turn on for certain common cycles (like Normal or Time Dry). You will have to manually turn off the setting to run these cycles without Eco Dry. This matches new federal requirements for energy use in dryers, which all appliance manufacturers must follow.
3
Turn off Eco Dry (if applicable).

The Eco Dry setting reduces heat output in order to save energy. In fact, the beginning of the cycle doesn't use any hot air at all. This results in longer cycles with overall less energy expenditure. You can turn off the setting before the cycle.

Girl pressing Eco Dry button on Samsung Dryer 

Note
If your dryer doesn't have the buttons mentioned in Step 4, or you can't get the test to work, there is a different way to run a vent blockage test.
4
Run a vent blockage test to determine your next steps.

When the drum is cool and empty, press Adjust Time Up + Dry Level until "Ins" or "In" appears on the display. If that doesn't work, try Cycle 1 + Wrinkle Prevent or Air Fluff + Wrinkle Prevent. Next, hold Start/Pause. Do not open the door during the test. The results will display for five minutes when the test is finished:

 

  • 0 or End: The duct is not clogged. Skip to step 7.
  • CLg, Cg, C80, or C90: A clog was detected.
  • Ct: The internal temperature is too low (less than 32°F) or too high (over 104°F). Leave the dryer at room temperature for an hour and check again.
  • HC: An abnormal temperature was detected. Check the power cord, make sure nothing is in the drum, and test again. If the code appears again, check your vent (steps 5 and 6). If the error still appears even though the vent is clean, visit our Support Center to request service.
  • dc: The door is open. Make sure it's shut and run the test again.
  • C1 or CL1: There's laundry in the drum. Empty the drum and run the test again.
  • 9C1: Abnormal voltage is detected. Make sure the power cord is fully plugged in and run the test again. If this code appears again, visit our Support Center to request service.
Important
If the dryer passed the vent blockage test, skip to Step 7. If the dryer failed the vent blockage test, perform it again after Steps 2 and 3. Continue to repeat the steps until the dryer passes the vent blockage test.
5
Clean your exhaust vent once or twice per year.

You should clean your exhaust vent once or twice each year whether you experience issues or not. If your exhaust vent isn't clean, it will cause blockages, prevent moisture from escaping, and cause cycles to take longer to complete.

Exhaust vent with lints in 

6
Check your exhaust vent.

In order for moisture to leave your dryer, your exhaust vent needs to be:

 

  • Correctly fitted and sealed, without gaps or air openings where lint could collect.
  • The proper material. Not plastic or foil.
  • No longer than the maximum length. For this and other exhaust vent requirements, see your user manual.
  • Not changing direction more often than necessary. Every 90 degree turn reduces the maximum length by six feet.
  • Free from kinks or flattening. The vent should be completely open the whole way through and should not be compressed. The image shown here is a good example of what NOT to do.

A cramped vent. 

7
Expect longer cycles for certain loads.

Soaking wet clothes will take longer to dry. If your clothes are coming out of the washer soaked, see our guide for washer won't spin to correct the issue.

 

Additionally, some items may take longer to dry, such as large comforters. Make sure to select the correct cycles and settings based on what is drying. For more information, see our guide for dryer cycles.

8
Check for an error code.

It is rare for the dryer to need service for this issue unless it is displaying an error code. If it is, please see our error code guide for troubleshooting.

Samsung dryer with d0 error displayed 

9
Request service.

If there is an issue with the heater, it is usually the case that the heater does not work at all. If the heater is definitely working at least a little bit, service is almost never required, and the issue is nearly always due to vent issues preventing the moisture from having anywhere to go (see steps 5 and 6).

 

However, if the vent blockage test says the vent is clear, you've done steps 5 and 6 to the best of your ability, and you're certain that there is an issue or defect with your dryer, then visit our Support Center to request service.

Dryer has no heat at all
1
Check the cycle you’re using.

Some cycles are designed to run without heat. Some settings, like Eco Dry, will cause portions of the cycle (like the beginning) to operate without heat. You can find out more about your dryer's cycles, settings, and features in our guide.

 

The following steps apply even if only one cycle is having the issue, as long as the cycle with the issue is one that is supposed to heat.

2
Check how much heat the dryer gives.

Run a test using a timed cycle. To do this, set the dryer to Time Dry, make sure Eco Dry is turned off (if your model has it), and then start the cycle. After 30 seconds, open the door and feel inside. You'll be able to tell if the dryer has any hot air at all or if it's giving at least a little bit of heat.

 

  • If it's giving at least a little bit of heat, the good news is you almost never need service. Select the Dryer is not hot enough section to continue troubleshooting.
  • You should only continue with Steps 3-5 if the dryer does not heat at all.

 

Note: If the dryer has heated before but is now not heating at all, skip to the next step.

3
If the dryer has never heated since it was installed, review the installation.

The following steps in the installation can cause no heat:

 

  • Electric dryers require 240V outlets. If the outlet is not supplying enough voltage, the panel and motor may work, but the heater may not.
  • For gas dryers, verify the gas line connection is installed properly and turned on.
  • For electric dryers, inspect the power cord installation.
  • The exhaust vent must meet the dryer's requirements.

 

The user manual contains all you need to know to install the dryer correctly, however, we recommend having a professional do it.

A diagram showing the difference between a gas off and a gas on.

4
Cycle the circuit breaker.

Turn the circuit breaker off, wait 30 seconds, and then turn it back on.

 

Electric dryers have two circuits. In most homes, these circuits are connected so that they will trip together. However, it is possible for only one of the circuits to trip. If this happens, the dryer will turn on and spin but will not heat. By turning it off and back on, you can confirm that both circuits are turned on and no longer tripped.

5
Request service.
If you continue to have no hot air at all coming from your dryer, visit our Support Center to request service.
Dryer cycle ends too quickly
1
Clean the moisture sensors.

The moisture sensors are two curved metal bars inside the front of the drum, typically in the housing for the lint filter or to the side of it.

 

On a Sensor Dry cycle, these sensors stop the cycle when they think the clothes are dry. If they are covered in residue from previous cycles (which is more common when dryer sheets are used), the dryer may think the clothes are dry long before they actually are.

 

Clean them with a soft cloth and a drop of mild soap.

2
Use a higher Dry Level.

If you want drier clothes when using a Sensor Dry cycle, set a higher Dry Level.

Select dry level

Note
The Damp Alert doesn't stop the cycle, so if you miss or ignore the signal, the cycle will still finish and heavier fabrics will likely still be damp.
3
Use the Damp Alert when drying mixed loads.

(Damp Alert is also known as Mixed Load Bell on older models.)

 

When drying mixed loads, lighter fabrics will dry faster than heavier ones. When the lighter fabrics at the front of the drum brush against the sensor bars, a Sensor Dry cycle will stop, even though the heavier fabrics at the back of the drum are still damp. (Manual Dry cycles don't have this problem since they dry the clothes until the time runs out.)

 

The Damp Alert was designed to address this. It will signal when the load is about 80 percent dry. This is your cue to remove all the clothes that are dry and leave the rest, letting the cycle continue. It's also a good time to remove anything that you want to hang or air dry.

4
Meet the minimum load size.

The minimum load size is about 4 regular sized bath towels. If there's less than that in the dryer, there may not be enough to brush against the sensor bars to let the dryer know that wet laundry is still inside.

 

For extremely small loads, soak a few towels and throw them in with the load to increase the load size to the minimum.

5
Check for an error code.
It is very rare for the dryer to need service for this issue unless it is displaying an error code. In the vast majority of cases, the previous steps will resolve your issue. If further assistance is needed, visit our Support Center.
Dryer is not hot enough
Important
If your cycles end too quickly for the dryer to get very warm, first perform the troubleshooting steps in the Dryer cycle ends too quickly section, since these troubleshooting steps are different and may better address your issue. Also, if you already know the dryer is heating at least a little bit, skip to step 2.
1
Confirm the dryer is heating at all.

Set the dryer to Time Dry, make sure Eco Dry is turned off (if your model has it), and then run a cycle. After 30 seconds, open the door and feel inside.

 

If it still feels cold inside, and there's no hot air at all, select the Dryer has no heat at all section to continue troubleshooting.

 

If it's giving at least a little bit of heat, the good news is you almost never need service. The following steps are all you'll need to resolve the issue.

2
Clean the lint filter.

Most models of dryer will reduce heat if it is unable to expel the hot, moist air. The first place where moisture might get blocked from leaving the dryer is the lint filter, as it may be too clogged. So, clean the lint filter before or after every cycle.

Person taking out the lint filter from Samsung Dryer 

3
Turn off Eco Dry (if applicable).

Eco Dry is a setting on some models which intentionally reduces heat output in order to save energy. (Clothes still get dry, but it may take longer. Ultimately, it saves energy in the long run.)

 

In fact, the beginning of an Eco Dry cycle doesn't use any hot air at all. If you feel like the dryer isn't as hot as it should be, make sure this setting isn't the reason why. This setting alone can also make it seem like the dryer isn't heating up as, especially if you're checking at the beginning of the cycle, when hot air has not been used yet.

 

However, on models that have it, Eco Dry will turn on by default for certain common cycles (like Normal or Time Dry). This matches new federal requirements for energy usage for dryers, which all dryer manufacturers must follow. So if you want to spend more energy to dry your clothes more quickly and with higher heat, you will have to manually turn off Eco Dry every time you want to run one of those cycles.

Girl pressing Eco Dry button on Samsung Dryer

Important
If your dryer doesn't have the buttons mentioned in Step 4, or you can't get the test to work, there is a different way to run a vent blockage test.
4
Run a vent blockage test to determine your next steps.

When the drum is cool and empty, press Adjust Time Up + Dry Level until "Ins" or "In" appears on the display. If that doesn't work, try Cycle 1  + Wrinkle Prevent or Air Fluff + Wrinkle Prevent. Next, hold Start/Pause. Do not open the door during the test. The results will display for 5 minutes when the test is finished:

 

 

  • 0 or End: The duct is not clogged. Skip to step 7.

 

  • CLg, Cg, C80, or C90: A clog was detected.

 

  • Ct: The internal temperature is too low (less than 32°F) or too high (over 104°F). Leave the dryer at room temperature for an hour and check again.
  • HC: An abnormal temperature was detected. Check the power cord, make sure nothing is in the drum, and test again. If the code appears again, check your vent (steps 5 and 6). If the error still appears even though the vent is clean, visit our Support Center to request service.
  • dc: The door is open. Make sure it's shut and run the test again.
  • C1 or CL1: There's laundry in the drum. Empty the drum and run the test again.
  • 9C1: Abnormal voltage is detected. Make sure the power cord is fully plugged in and run the test again. If this code appears again, visit our Support Center to request service.

 

 

 

Important
If the dryer passed the vent blockage test, skip to step 7. If the dryer failed the vent blockage test, perform it again after steps 5 and 6. Continue to repeat steps 5 and 6 until the dryer passes the vent blockage test.
5
Clean your exhaust vent once or twice per year.
In addition, you should always clean your exhaust vent once or twice each year whether you experience issues or not. If your exhaust vent isn't clean, it will cause blockages that prevent heat and moisture from escaping, and cause your dryer to reduce its heat.
6
Check your exhaust vent.

Most models of dryer will reduce heat if they detect that the heat and moisture aren't actually leaving the dryer. (They do this to prevent overheating and fires in the vent.) In order to make sure that moisture and heat have a way to leave your dryer so it can operate properly, your exhaust vent needs to be:

 

  • Correctly fitted and sealed, without gaps or air openings where lint could collect.
  • The proper material, and not plastic or foil.
  • Not longer than the maximum length. For this and other requirements for your exhaust vent, see your user manual.
  • Not changing direction more often than necessary. Every 90 degree turn reduces the maximum length by 6 feet.
  • Free from kinks or flattening. The vent should be completely open the whole way through, and not compressed. The image shown here is a good example of what not to do.

A cramped vent

7
Check for an error code.
If you are still experiencing the issue, it's possible that some other related issue is contributing. If the dryer is displaying an error code, see our guide for the next troubleshooting steps to take.
Important
As long as the dryer continues to fail the vent blockage test, and isn't displaying an error code, service is not required. The cause of the issue is the vent (see steps 5 and 6) and not the dryer.
8
Request service.

It is very rare for the dryer to require service for this issue. (If there is an issue with the heater, it is usually the case that the heater does not work at all. If the heater is definitely working at least a little bit, there is almost never an issue with the dryer, and the weak heating issue can nearly always be resolved using the previous steps.)

 

However, if the vent blockage test says the vent is clear, and you're certain that there is an issue or defect with your dryer, then visit our Support Center to request service.

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