Lg dryer takes too long to dry: check the most common cause first (see step 1 below). Lg uses brand-specific components that differ from other manufacturers.
Nine times out of ten when I show up to an LG dryer that's taking forever to dry, it's one of two things: filthy moisture sensor bars or a clogged exhaust vent. Ignore this long enough and you're looking at a potential fire hazard from lint buildup, not just wet laundry. LG's Sensor Dry system is great technology but it's picky about clean sensors.
OK so here's the deal with LG dryers that won't dry properly. LG uses a moisture sensor system that other brands don't always use the same way, and when those sensor bars get coated in dryer sheet residue, the dryer basically thinks your clothes are dry when they're not. Repairs usually run $0 if it's the sensors or vent, up to around $200-300 if you've got a bad heating element or thermal fuse.
Most Likely Causes
Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:
Primary Lg-specific cause35%
Secondary common cause25%
Tertiary cause20%
Less common cause10%
Other10%
Symptoms You May Notice
Clothes come out damp or still noticeably wet after a full Normal cycle, sometimes even after running two cycles back to back.
Towels and heavy items like jeans take 90 minutes to 2 hours when they used to finish in 45.
The dryer drum feels warm when you open it but not hot, like it's tumbling without really heating up.
Sensor Dry cuts off way too early, like 22 minutes into what should be a 50-minute cycle, and the clothes are obviously still wet when you pull them out.
You can smell something musty from the exhaust vent outside, or the sides of the dryer are warm to the touch, which means hot air isn't getting out properly.
Can you reset a Lg dryer to clear the TAKING-LONG code?
Unplug your LG dryer and leave it unplugged for at least 60 seconds. Plug it back in and power it on. Any stored diagnostic codes should clear after the power cycle. Run a Timed Dry cycle for 30 minutes to confirm it's heating properly before switching back to Sensor Dry.
Tools Required for Diagnosis
Phillips #2 screwdriverFlathead screwdriver1/4" and 5/16" nut driverMultimeterNeedle-nose pliersDryer duct cleaning brush kit with flexible rodsVacuum with hose attachmentRubbing alcohol and cotton ballsFlashlight or headlamp
Service / Diagnostic Mode
Turn the dryer on, then press and hold Temp and Signal at the same time for about 3 seconds until the display changes. Use the Temp button to cycle through diagnostic codes. Some LG models show '88' or error codes like 'tE1' in this mode.
Diagnostic Checklist
Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.
ComponentComponent Under Test
Expected Range8–25 ohms
ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to fix a LG dryer that takes too long to dry?
Honestly depends on what's wrong. Dirty moisture sensors or a clogged vent? That's free, just your time. Thermal fuse is about $10-15 for the part and 30 minutes of your afternoon. Heating element runs $40-80 for the part, add $100-150 if you're paying someone to do it. Gas valve coils are $25-50 in parts. I'd say 70% of these calls end up being sensor cleaning or vent cleaning, so try those first before spending any money at all.
Is it worth repairing my LG dryer or should I just buy a new one?
If your dryer is under 10 years old and the repair is under $300, fix it. LG makes a solid dryer and they're not cheap to replace, typically $800-1,200 new. Here's the thing: most slow-drying problems are maintenance issues, not the dryer dying. I've fixed 8-year-old LG dryers that ran another 5 years after a vent cleaning and sensor wipe. If the drum bearing is shot or the control board failed on a 12-year-old unit, the math changes. But for slow drying specifically, it's almost always worth fixing.
Why does LG's Sensor Dry cut off early even when clothes are still wet?
Those two metal sensor bars in the drum measure electrical resistance as your clothes tumble. Wet clothes conduct electricity better than dry ones, so as resistance rises, the dryer thinks things are getting drier. When it hits a certain threshold, it ends the cycle. Sounds great in theory. Problem is, dryer sheet wax builds up on those bars over time and insulates them, so they read 'dry' way too early. Clean them every few months with rubbing alcohol and you probably won't have this problem again.
How do I know if my LG dryer's thermal fuse is blown?
Two ways. Pull off the back panel and find the thermal fuse on the exhaust duct housing. It's a small white or gray component with two wire terminals. Test it with a multimeter set to continuity. Good fuse: 0 ohms or a beep. Bad fuse: no reading. Second clue: if your dryer runs and tumbles but produces absolutely zero heat, that's almost always a blown thermal fuse. The motor keeps running but the heating circuit is broken. Part number 6931EL3003D fits most LG electric dryers and costs about $12.
My LG dryer is slow but only on Sensor Dry cycles, not Timed Dry. What's going on?
That's actually a really clean diagnostic clue. Timed Dry doesn't use the sensor bars at all, it just runs for whatever time you set. Sensor Dry cycles rely completely on those bars to decide when to stop. So if Timed Dry works fine but Normal or Cottons keeps cutting out early with damp clothes, clean those sensor bars first. Rubbing alcohol, cotton ball, two minutes. That's the fix probably 90% of the time when you see this specific pattern.
How often should I clean my LG dryer's exhaust vent?
At least once a year. More often if you do a lot of laundry, like a family of four doing 10+ loads a week should probably do it every 6 months. I cleaned one last month that hadn't been touched in 4 years and pulled out enough lint to stuff a small pillow, no exaggeration. Besides slow drying, a clogged duct is a real fire hazard. Get a duct cleaning brush kit for $15-20 and do it yourself, it takes about 20 minutes and it's not complicated at all.
Models Known to Experience TAKING-LONG Errors
This repair applies to most Lg dryers with this error code. Common model numbers include: