A dryer taking longer to dry is a clue, not a diagnosis. Blocked lint filters, mixed fabric thicknesses and the wrong cycle can all change the result. Cold surroundings may also lengthen a heat-pump dryer’s warm-up. Keep vented and ventless models separate: their maintenance points are not interchangeable.
Is the cycle long, or is the laundry still damp?
| Observation | First check | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated time keeps extending | Lint filter, load size, heat-pump room temperature | Repeat with a similar load after one change |
| Only thick towels remain damp | Thick and thin pieces mixed together | Separate by weight and fabric; choose the matching cycle |
| Everything remains damp and there is no heat | Error code and model instructions | Stop repeated attempts; contact service |
| A vented dryer exhausts poorly | Kink or lint in the exhaust path | Follow its safety guide or arrange duct cleaning |
The exhaust-duct row applies to vented dryers. Do not open a heat-pump machine looking for an exhaust duct it does not have.
Start with the lint filter, then refit it correctly
Lint buildup restricts airflow. LG’s dryer guide recommends cleaning its filters, letting a washed filter dry fully, and reinstalling all parts before use. The filter arrangement varies by model. Do not run a dryer without its required filters.
If a clean filter did not change the outcome, compare a load of similar-weight items on the same cycle after a similar washer spin. Thin clothes can dry before thick ones, confusing some automatic moisture-sensing programs. That can produce a load with wet towels even when the machine stops on time. Follow your model’s load and cycle guidance rather than filling it to the top simply because the rated capacity sounds large.
Account for the type of dryer and its location
LG notes that a heat-pump dryer may need longer to warm up in a cold location. That does not explain every sudden, persistent slowdown. If performance changes across seasons and comparable loads, record any error messages and seek model-specific service. Do not pour water into or dismantle a condenser area because another model’s video showed a different maintenance feature.
For a vented dryer, a lint-clogged or sharply bent exhaust duct can lengthen drying and create a safety concern. The US NFPA’s dryer safety tips advise cleaning lint from the vent pipe at least yearly, and sooner if drying takes longer than normal. Shared building ducts and inaccessible sections are jobs for a qualified person or building manager.
What to write down before calling service
Note the exact model, cycle, type and approximate amount of laundry, filter-cleaning status, original and final time estimates, error messages, and whether the room was unusually cold. A comparison under similar conditions is more useful than “it takes forever.” Stop using the dryer immediately if you notice smoke, a burning smell or overheating.
A useful service note sounds like this: “Model ___; on cycle ___ with a comparable load, the estimate changed from ___ to ___. I checked the filter on ___ and the error code is ___.” You do not need every blank filled in. Recording what has already been checked keeps the conversation focused on the remaining causes.
Sources checked 28 September 2026. This guide separates LG’s heat-pump guidance from NFPA advice for vented dryers. It is not a hands-on repair report.