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Dryer Clothes coming out wrinkled

If your dryer is leaving clothes wrinkled, the problem is usually related to overloading, incorrect heat settings, or leaving clothes sitting in the drum after the cycle ends. This guide walks you through diagnosing and fixing the most common causes so your clothes come out smooth and fresh every time.

  1. 1

    Unplug the Dryer Before Any Inspection

    Before you touch any part of the dryer for inspection or cleaning, unplug it from the wall outlet. Even if you are not opening the machine, this is a good habit to build before any appliance work. If your dryer is a gas model, also turn the gas supply valve to the off position. Wait at least one minute before proceeding.

    warning

    Always unplug the dryer before inspecting internal components. Contact with live electrical parts can cause serious injury or death.

    warning

    Gas dryer owners must shut off the gas supply valve before any inspection to prevent gas leaks.

  2. 2

    Check the Load Size

    Open the dryer door and look at how much laundry you typically load at once. Overloading is one of the most common causes of wrinkled clothes. When the drum is too full, clothes cannot tumble freely and end up bunching together, which sets wrinkles into the fabric. As a general rule, the drum should be no more than two-thirds full. If you have been overfilling it, split larger loads into two smaller ones going forward.

    tip

    A good test: put your load in the drum and close the door. If clothes are packed tightly against the door, the load is too large.

    tip

    Drying similar fabric weights together also helps — mixing heavy jeans with light shirts can cause uneven drying and wrinkling.

  3. 3

    Verify the Heat Setting

    Plug the dryer back in and check the heat setting you normally use. Using too low a heat setting means moisture is not removed quickly enough, allowing fabric to sit damp and wrinkle as it cools. Conversely, using too high a heat can bake wrinkles into synthetic fabrics. Match the heat setting to the fabric type: use low heat for synthetics and delicates, medium heat for everyday cottons, and high heat for towels and heavy items. Consult the care labels on your garments if you are unsure.

    tip

    Most modern dryers have a 'Permanent Press' or 'Wrinkle Care' cycle specifically designed to reduce wrinkles — use this for everyday clothing.

    warning

    High heat settings on synthetic fabrics like polyester can permanently damage the fibers and lock in wrinkles.

  4. 4

    Remove Clothes Promptly When the Cycle Ends

    One of the biggest and easiest-to-fix causes of wrinkles is leaving clothes sitting in the drum after the cycle finishes. As the drum cools, clothes settle and gravity presses creases into the fabric. Make it a habit to remove clothes within a few minutes of the cycle ending. If your dryer has a 'Wrinkle Prevent' or 'Extended Tumble' feature, turn it on — this keeps the drum tumbling periodically after the main cycle to keep clothes loose until you can get to them.

    tip

    Set a phone timer to remind yourself when the dryer cycle is about to end.

    tip

    Shake out each garment as you remove it and hang or fold it immediately to prevent new wrinkles from forming.

  5. 5

    Clean the Lint Trap and Check Airflow

    Unplug the dryer again. Pull out the lint trap, which is usually located just inside the door or on top of the control panel. Remove all built-up lint by hand or with a soft brush. A clogged lint trap restricts airflow, which causes the dryer to run hotter and longer than needed — this can bake wrinkles into fabric. After cleaning the trap, go outside or behind the dryer and check that the exhaust vent hose is not kinked, crushed, or blocked. A clear airflow path helps the dryer run efficiently and dry clothes evenly.

    warning

    Never run a dryer with a clogged lint trap. Lint buildup is a leading cause of house fires.

    tip

    Clean the lint trap after every single load as a standard practice.

    tip

    Use a long flexible dryer vent brush once a year to clean out the full length of the exhaust duct.

  6. 6

    Inspect the Exhaust Vent Hose

    With the dryer still unplugged, pull the dryer away from the wall carefully so you can see the back. Look at the vent hose that connects the dryer to the wall duct. If it is a plastic or thin foil accordion-style hose, check for kinks, tears, or crushing — these restrict airflow and cause poor drying performance. Ideally, replace any plastic or foil vent hose with a rigid or semi-rigid metal duct, which is safer and more efficient. Make sure the hose connection at both the dryer and the wall is secure and not coming loose.

    warning

    Dryers are heavy. Ask someone to help you move it away from the wall to avoid injury or damage to flooring.

    warning

    Plastic accordion vent hoses are a fire hazard and are not recommended. Replace with rigid metal ducting when possible.

    tip

    Keep the vent hose as short and straight as possible. Every bend reduces airflow efficiency.

  7. 7

    Test the Moisture Sensor Bars

    Many modern dryers use moisture sensor bars inside the drum to detect when clothes are dry and stop the cycle automatically. If these bars are coated with fabric softener residue or dryer sheet buildup, they can misread the moisture level and end the cycle too early — leaving clothes slightly damp, which then wrinkle as they cool. Look inside the drum for two small metallic strips, usually located near the lint trap opening. Unplug the dryer, then clean the sensor bars gently with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol. Let them dry completely before using the dryer again.

    warning

    Make sure the dryer is unplugged before touching any internal components, including the sensor bars.

    tip

    Reducing your use of dryer sheets can help keep the moisture sensors clean longer. Try wool dryer balls as an alternative.

    tip

    Clean the sensor bars every one to two months if you use dryer sheets regularly.

  8. 8

    Run a Test Load

    Plug the dryer back in and run a test load using a medium-sized batch of similar clothing. Select the correct heat setting for the fabric type and use the 'Permanent Press' or 'Normal' cycle if available. Do not overload the drum. Stay nearby and remove the clothes promptly when the cycle ends. Shake each item out and hang or fold it right away. Check whether the clothes come out noticeably smoother than before.

    tip

    Tossing a clean, dry towel into the drum with a wrinkled load can help relax wrinkles by improving tumbling action.

    tip

    For stubborn wrinkles on already-dried clothes, lightly mist them with water, then put them back in the dryer on medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes.

  9. 9

    Consider the Drum Seals and Felt if Problems Continue

    If you have followed all the steps above and clothes are still coming out heavily wrinkled or unevenly dried, the drum might not be tumbling evenly due to worn drum support rollers, a worn drum belt, or damaged felt drum seals. These components can cause the drum to drag or wobble, preventing proper tumbling. Accessing these parts requires opening the dryer cabinet. If you are a beginner, this is a good point to call a qualified appliance repair technician for further diagnosis and repair.

    warning

    Opening the dryer cabinet exposes high-voltage electrical components. If you are not comfortable with appliance repair beyond basic steps, contact a professional technician.

    tip

    Listen for unusual squeaking, thumping, or grinding during the cycle — these are signs of worn drum rollers or a failing belt.