When a dryer fails to heat, produces unusual noises, and leaves clothes damp, it is typically suffering from a combination of mechanical and electrical wear. The lack of heat is usually traced to a burnt-out heating element, which can no longer warm the incoming air. Simultaneously, loud thumping or squealing is often caused by a frayed or slipping drive belt, which struggles to rotate the drum smoothly. Finally, the failure to dry even if some heat is present is frequently the result of a blown thermal fuse or a restricted vent which cuts off the drying cycle prematurely to prevent overheating.