If your LG dryer constantly extends its cycle time, it's a common issue often linked to the unit's ability to accurately sense how dry the clothes are or perform efficiently.
The primary reasons your LG dryer might keep adding time include:
- A dirty humidity sensor or a clogged dust filter.
- Mixing thick and thin laundry items in the same load.
- Using a drying cycle that doesn't match the fabric type.
Let's break down these causes and how they affect your dryer's performance.
Common Reasons for LG Dryer Time Extension
LG dryers use sensors to determine moisture levels and airflow to efficiently dry clothes. When these systems are compromised, the dryer might continue running, adding time in an attempt to reach the desired dryness level.
1. Dirty Humidity Sensor or Clogged Filter
This is one of the most frequent culprits.
- Humidity Sensor: LG dryers have sensors (often metal strips inside the drum) that detect the moisture level of the tumbling clothes. If these sensors are coated with fabric softener residue, lint, or dirt, they cannot accurately read the humidity. The dryer then doesn't know the clothes are dry and keeps adding time.
- Dust Filter (Lint Trap): A clogged lint trap restricts airflow significantly. Proper airflow is crucial for drying clothes and for the humidity sensor to work effectively. When airflow is poor, drying takes longer, and the dryer may add time as it struggles to reach the target dryness.
Solution:
- Regularly clean the lint filter before every load.
- Periodically clean the humidity sensors inside the drum (refer to your LG dryer's manual for location; usually metal strips near the lint filter) with a damp cloth or a little rubbing alcohol.
2. Mixing Thick and Thin Laundry Items
Loading diverse fabric types or sizes together creates an uneven drying environment.
- Thinner items dry much faster than thicker ones (like towels or heavy sweatshirts).
- The dryer's sensor might detect that some items are dry, but thicker items are still damp. To get the entire load dry, the cycle is extended. Alternatively, the sensor might be in contact with only dry items, causing the cycle to potentially end too early for the thicker items, or it keeps running based on the dampness of the slower-drying items.
Solution:
- Sort laundry by fabric type and thickness.
- Dry similar items together (e.g., towels with towels, sheets with sheets).
3. Incorrect Drying Cycle
Selecting the wrong cycle can also lead to extended drying times.
- Different fabrics require different heat levels and cycle durations.
- Using a delicate or low-heat cycle for heavy cottons will take much longer than necessary.
- If the cycle settings (like dryness level) are set too high for the load type, the dryer will keep running until that high level is reached, adding time.
Solution:
- Always choose the cycle that best matches the fabric type and load size (e.g., Cotton/Normal for everyday items, Heavy Duty for towels, Delicates for fragile fabrics).
- Adjust dryness level settings appropriately.
Summary Table
Here's a quick overview of the common causes and what you can do:
| Cause | Why it Adds Time | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Dirty Humidity Sensor | Cannot accurately detect moisture levels | Clean sensors regularly. |
| Clogged Dust Filter | Restricts airflow, hindering drying and sensor function | Clean lint filter before every load. |
| Mixed Fabric Types | Uneven drying; sensor struggles with varied moisture levels | Sort laundry by thickness and fabric type. |
| Incorrect Drying Cycle | Settings don't match load needs, leading to prolonged running | Select appropriate cycle for the fabric type and desired dryness level. |
By addressing these common issues related to sensing, airflow, and load management, you can often resolve the problem of your LG dryer adding excessive time to its cycles.
