What is a common cause of dryer overheating after a service?

• A. Improved airflow through the system.
• B. Reduced airflow due to lint buildup further down the line or at the termination.
• C. Short circuit in the control board.
• D. Using a larger diameter duct reduces heat.

Answer: (B)

Restricted airflow in the dryer exhaust is what often leads to overheating after a service. If lint has built up further down the duct or at the vent termination, it narrows the path for hot, moist air to escape. The dryer's heating element keeps running, but the trapped air can’t exit efficiently, so heat and humidity stay in the drum and exhaust path, causing the dryer to overheat. After service, this kind of blockage is a common culprit because the work may remove lint from the machine itself but leave lint in the longer run or at the termination.

Why the other ideas aren’t the best fit: improving airflow would reduce overheating, not cause it. a short circuit in the control board would produce electrical symptoms or a failure mode unrelated to exhaust airflow. and using a larger diameter duct doesn’t inherently reduce heat and can sometimes slow air movement, potentially contributing to lint buildup rather than preventing overheating.