How to Fix a Lint Trap for a Dryer That Is Too Hot

A lint trap is meant to capture lint and other particles from your clothes as it dries. Load after load, the debris in the trap accumulates. If it is not cleared regularly, the lint can gather up on the walls of the dryer drum or around the vent, causing an airflow blockage. This blockage prevents hot air from exiting the dryer and causes the internal temperature within the drum to skyrocket. Therefore, regularly cleaning out the lint trap is a must.

What is the Lint Trap and Where is it Located?

A lint screen, or lint trap, is a filter that collects lint from your clothes as the dryer tumbles them. This prevents lint from obstructing the airflow. If your dryer is overheating, the lint screen might have accumulated too much lint and cannot collect more, allowing lint to clog the dryer’s exhaust system. Depending on your dryer model, your lint screen could either be: inside the door, on the back wall, or on the top corner.

General Location of the Lint Trap

How to Access, Remove, and Inspect the Lint Trap

Inside the Dryer Door

1. Open the dryer’s door and look inside at the bottom or the side of the drum.
2. Remove the lint screen by pulling on its raised handle.
3. Check the lint screen for buildup.
4. Look into the lint screen slot for debris.

On the Dryer’s Back Wall

1. Open the dryer door and locate the lint trap on the rear wall.
2. Insert a thumb and a finger into the holes of the trap’s cover, and pull it out of the slot by squeezing.
3. Check the lint trap for buildup.

On Top of the Dryer

1. Locate the access door to the lint screen, usually found below the dryer’s console panel.
2. Open the access door and remove the lint screen.
3. Check the lint screen for buildup.
4. Look into the lint screen slot for debris.

How to Clean the Lint Trap

After Every Load

1. Peel away the lint buildup after each cycle.
2. Wipe down the trap using a fabric sheet.

Deep Cleaning the Lint Trap

1. Soak the trap in lukewarm water.
2. Lather the trap with soap and clean it thoroughly with a brush or a sponge.
3. Air dry the trap before putting it back in the dryer.

How to Install a New Lint Trap

1. Unplug your dryer to prevent incidents of electrocution.
2. Remove the old lint trap.
3. If your lint trap has a lid attached to it, detach the lid using a small flat blade screwdriver. Attach that lid onto the new lint trap.
4. Place the new lint screen into the dryer’s slot.

Next: Troubleshooting the Cycling Thermostat

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