Samsung Dryer Takes Too Long to Dry: Troubleshooting

Quick Answer

A Samsung dryer taking too long is most often caused by a clogged exhaust vent or lint buildup on the moisture sensor bars. The primary fix is to clear the external vent line and clean the sensor bars inside the drum with rubbing alcohol.

Ignore this long enough and you're looking at a fried thermal fuse or a burnt heating element, which turns a free vent-cleaning job into a $200+ repair. I showed up to a call last week where the homeowner had been running double cycles for six months straight. The vent was packed solid and the thermal fuse was toast. Don't be that person. This guide walks you through finding the actual culprit fast.

SamsungDryerSeverity: moderateDifficulty: intermediate75% DIY Success

Time to Fix

15–90 min

Difficulty

intermediate

Parts Cost

—

Tools Needed

Phillips #2 screwdriver, Flathead screwdriver

What Does the TAKING-LONG Code Mean?

OK so here's the deal with Samsung dryers running slow: nine times out of ten it's not the dryer, it's the house. Samsung builds their sensors pretty sensitive to airflow restrictions. A partially clogged vent cap or 10 feet of kinked flexible duct behind the machine will tank your dry times big time. DIY fix on most of these runs you $0 to maybe $30 in parts, and I'd start there before touching anything inside the cabinet.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

Blocked or kinked exhaust duct40%

Lint screen clogged25%

Moisture sensor coated with fabric softener20%

Cycling thermostat weak15%

Symptoms You May Notice

Clothes come out still damp after a full regular cycle, even on high heat
You're running two or three back-to-back cycles just to dry a normal load, and the drum feels warm but not hot when you open the door
The dryer keeps extending the cycle on auto-dry mode, or it cuts off at the end of a timed cycle but clothes are still wet
The laundry room feels warmer and more humid than normal while the dryer's running, or there's a faint burning smell from the exhaust vent
The flapper on the exterior vent cap barely moves when the dryer's running, or lint is piling up around the outside cap

Can you reset a Samsung dryer to clear the TAKING-LONG code?

Flip the circuit breaker off and leave it for at least 5 minutes, not just 30 seconds. While it's off, hold the Power button down for about 15 seconds to drain the capacitors. Flip the breaker back on and when the display comes back up, hold Start and Pause together for 3 seconds. Run a small load right after so the control board can recalibrate its moisture sensor baseline from scratch.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriverFlathead screwdriverDigital multimeterFlashlight or headlampDryer vent brush kitRubbing alcohol (90%+ isopropyl)Cotton balls or paper towelsWork gloves

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

ComponentComponent Under Test

Expected Range8–16 ohms

ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to fix a Samsung dryer that takes too long to dry?

Depends on what's actually wrong. If it's just a clogged vent, you're looking at $0 to $150 depending on whether you DIY it or hire a vent cleaning service. Sensor bars need cleaning? That's free. Heating element needs replacing? Parts run about $30-60 for a Samsung element and labor adds another $80-120 if you call a tech. Thermostat replacement is similar. Honestly, 60% of these calls end with just a vent cleaning, so start there before assuming the worst.

Should I repair or replace my Samsung dryer if it's taking too long to dry?

If it's under 8 years old, fix it. Samsung dryers are pretty modular and the common failure parts, heating elements, thermostats, moisture sensors, are all under $60 and not that hard to swap. I'd only tell someone to replace if the drum bearings are shot AND the heating element's gone AND the unit's over 10 years old. That's three things at once on an old machine. One or two parts on a dryer that's 5-7 years old? Definitely worth repairing.

Can I fix a slow-drying Samsung dryer myself or do I need a technician?

Cleaning the sensor bars and clearing the vent? Absolutely DIY, no question. Those take zero special skills. If you need to replace the heating element, it's a bit more involved but pretty manageable if you're comfortable with basic disassembly. You'll need a multimeter and a Phillips screwdriver. The only time I'd say call a pro is if you've got a gas dryer and the burner assembly looks questionable, or if you're not comfortable working around 240V wiring.

How often should I clean my Samsung dryer vent?

Once a year minimum if you do average laundry. Big family, dryer runs every day? Do it every six months. The moisture sensor bars inside the drum should get wiped down with rubbing alcohol every couple of months if you use dryer sheets. And the lint trap? Clean it every single load. I know that sounds obvious but you'd be shocked how many slow-dry calls I go on where the trap is packed solid and nobody's touched it in weeks.

What happens if I keep ignoring slow dry times on my Samsung dryer?

The thermal fuse blows. That's usually what happens. The dryer overheats because airflow's restricted, the thermal fuse trips as a safety cutoff, and now the dryer won't heat at all. Thermal fuse replacement is a $15 part but if you don't fix the underlying vent clog at the same time, the new fuse'll blow again in a few weeks. I replaced three thermal fuses in one month on dryers where the homeowner kept patching the symptom without fixing the actual vent problem.

Same Fix Works on These Brands

Samsung shares the same hardware platform with these brands. The diagnosis and repair steps are identical.

Samsung washerSamsung Washer 3C2 Error Code: Motor Stall Samsung washerSamsung Washer 3E Error Code: Motor Fault Samsung washerSamsung Washer 4E Error Code: Water Supply Fault (Top Load)Samsung washerSamsung Washer 5C Error Code: Drain Error (Older Display)Samsung washerSamsung Washer 8C Error Code: Vibration Sensor Fault Samsung washerSamsung Washer 8E Error Code: Motor Frequency Sensor Fault

Models Known to Experience TAKING-LONG Errors

This repair applies to most Samsung dryers with this error code. Common model numbers include:

DV45H7000EW, DV50K7500EW, DVE50R5200W, DV42H5200EW, DVE45R6100W, DV48H7400EW, DVG45R6100V, DVE55M9600V

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 15, 2026