Samsung DVG50A86 Clothes Dryer Manual
Setup, everyday use, maintenance and troubleshooting for the 7.5 cu. ft. gas dryer, with verified specifications.
- Capacity7.5 cu. ft.
- TypeGas, vented
- CEF3.48 lb/kWh
- Est. yearly cost$35.17
About the Samsung DVG50A86
Model DVG50A86 from Samsung is a 7.5 cu. ft. gas dryer that meets ENERGY STAR efficiency requirements. It measures 27 in. wide, 38.7 in. high, and 52.6 in. deep.
As a gas dryer, it heats air with a natural-gas burner (most models can be converted to LP with a kit) and exhausts moist air outdoors through a vent duct. It needs a 120 V outlet for the drum motor and controls as well as a gas supply.
Listed features include a steam option and a sanitize cycle.
Its combined energy factor (CEF) is 3.48 lb of clothes per kWh, for an estimated 687 kWh per year (gas and electricity combined, in kWh-equivalent).
Specifications
| Brand | Samsung |
|---|---|
| Model number | DVG50A86*** |
| Dryer type | Gas |
| Fuel | Gas |
| Venting | Vented |
| Drum capacity | 7.5 cu. ft. |
| Width | 27.0 in. |
| Height | 38.7 in. |
| Depth | 52.6 in. |
| Combined energy factor (CEF) | 3.48 lb/kWh |
| Estimated annual energy use | 687 kWh/yr |
| Energy test cycle time | 72 min |
| Energy test cycle settings | Normal Setting, Dryness level normal, Dry Temperature Medium, Eco Dry Default ON |
| Listed features | Sanitization cycle, Steam cycle, Bedding, Heavy duty |
| Smart / connected features | No |
| Paired ENERGY STAR washer available | Yes |
| ENERGY STAR Most Efficient | No |
Safety information
- Clean the lint filter before or after every load. Lint buildup restricts airflow, lengthens drying time and is a leading cause of dryer fires.
- Never dry items soiled with gasoline, solvents, cooking or massage oils, or other flammable substances — even after washing, residual oil can ignite. Do not dry foam rubber or rubber-backed items.
- Check inside the drum before every cycle; children and pets can climb in. Do not let children play on or in the dryer.
- Keep the area around the dryer free of lint, dust, paper and flammable products.
- Gas connection and any LP conversion must be done by a qualified installer or gas technician. Never check for leaks with a flame — use a soap-and-water solution.
- The exhaust carries combustion gases, including carbon monoxide, and must vent outdoors. Install CO alarms in the home.
- Use only rigid or semi-rigid metal duct. Never vent a dryer into an attic, crawlspace, chimney, wall cavity or indoors.
Installation and first-time setup
This model is 27 in. wide, 38.7 in. high, and 52.6 in. deep according to the certification data. Add room behind it for the gas connector and exhaust duct, and in front for the door to open fully.
- Choose the location
Pick a level floor as close to an outside wall as practical — the shorter and straighter the exhaust run, the faster and safer the dryer works.
- Connect the gas supply
Have a qualified installer connect the dryer to the gas line with a new flexible stainless-steel connector and an accessible manual shutoff valve, then leak-test every joint with soapy water. Plug the dryer into a grounded 120 V outlet.
- Install the exhaust duct
Use 4 in. rigid or semi-rigid metal duct joined with foil tape (not screws, which snag lint), and stay within the maximum length the manual allows for the number of elbows. Terminate at an outdoor hood with a damper that opens freely.
- Level the dryer
Adjust the legs until the dryer is level side to side and front to back; a level drum tumbles evenly and runs quietly.
- Connect water for steam (if required)
Some steam dryers connect to the cold-water supply with a Y-connector at the washer valve; others use a refillable reservoir. Follow your model's instructions.
- Test run
Run a timed cycle with a few damp towels. Confirm that it heats and the drum turns smoothly, and that air flows strongly from the outdoor hood.
Using your dryer
Loading
The 7.5 cu. ft. drum handles large loads, including bulky bedding. Fill it loosely — clothes need room to tumble — and dry similar fabrics together so everything finishes at the same time. Clean the lint filter first.
Choosing a cycle
- Use automatic (sensor) cycles rather than timed drying whenever possible; they stop when clothes are dry instead of running a fixed time.
- Choose a lower heat setting for synthetics, activewear and delicates. Overdrying shrinks fabrics, sets wrinkles and wastes energy.
- Dry loads back to back so the dryer starts warm.
- The certified efficiency was measured on these settings: Normal Setting, Dryness level normal, Dry Temperature Medium, Eco Dry Default ON, with a test cycle of about 72 minutes. Using the same settings gives you results closest to the rating.
- Steam options refresh lightly wrinkled items; they add a little time and water.
- The sanitize cycle uses extended high heat; check fabric care labels first.
Care and maintenance
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Every load | Clean the lint filter. |
| Every month | Check whether water pools on the lint screen when you run tap water over it. If it does, wash the screen in warm, soapy water with a soft brush — dryer-sheet residue clogs the mesh. |
| Every 3 months | Wipe the moisture-sensor strips inside the drum (usually near the lint filter) with a soft cloth; residue makes the dryer stop too early or run too long. |
| Every year | Disconnect and clean the exhaust duct and outdoor hood, or have them professionally cleaned. Check that the damper flap opens when the dryer runs. Vacuum lint from the filter housing and behind the dryer. |
| Periodically | Have a qualified technician inspect the gas connection and burner if you notice a gas odor, yellow flames visible through the burner port, or poor heating. |
| As needed | Remove ink, crayon or gum residue from the drum with a damp cloth and mild cleaner, then tumble a load of old rags to pick up anything left. |
Troubleshooting
Most dryer problems come back to airflow. Work through the checks below before calling for service; if the display shows a code, look it up in the code table in your manufacturer's manual.
| Problem | Possible cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Takes too long to dry | Clogged lint filter; crushed, kinked or lint-clogged exhaust duct; overloading; clothes very wet from the washer. | Clean the filter and duct, straighten the vent run, dry smaller loads and use a higher washer spin speed. |
| No heat | Gas valve closed; supply interrupted; heat cut out by a safety device after restricted airflow. | Make sure the gas shutoff is open and other gas appliances work. If the dryer tumbles but never heats, clean the vent and call a technician. |
| Will not start | Door not fully closed; Start not held long enough; control lock on; tripped breaker or unplugged. | Close the door firmly, press and hold Start, turn off the lock and check the power supply. |
| Clothes too hot or shrinking | Heat setting too high; timed cycle too long; restricted airflow. | Use sensor cycles and a lower heat setting; clean the lint path. |
| Thumping, rattling or squealing | Coins, zippers or shoes in the drum; worn drum rollers, belt or glides. | Check pockets and the drum. Persistent squealing or thumping from an empty drum needs service. |
| Burning smell | Normal for the first uses of a new dryer; lint buildup near the heat source. | A faint smell during the first few loads is normal. Otherwise stop the dryer, clean the lint filter and housing, and call a technician if the smell continues. |
| Clothes wrinkled | Overloading; clothes left in the drum after the cycle. | Dry smaller loads, remove clothes promptly. |
| Laundry room hot or humid | Exhaust duct disconnected or crushed behind the dryer. | Reconnect and secure the duct; replace crushed sections with semi-rigid metal duct. |
Energy use and running costs
The Samsung DVG50A86 is estimated to use 687 kWh-equivalent per year under the U.S. Department of Energy test procedure, which assumes 283 drying cycles a year. For a gas dryer this figure combines natural gas and electricity. Treated entirely as gas, it equals about 23.4 therms — roughly $35.17 a year at $1.50 per therm. The drum motor and controls run on electricity, which adds a little to that.
CEF (combined energy factor) is the number of pounds of clothes dried per kWh of energy, including standby power; higher is better. This model's CEF of 3.48 lb/kWh is the figure behind the annual estimate.
To lower costs further: use sensor-dry cycles, spin clothes at the washer's highest safe speed, keep the lint filter and vent clean, and dry full (but not overstuffed) loads back to back.
Frequently asked questions
What is the drum capacity of the Samsung DVG50A86?
The Samsung DVG50A86 has a 7.5 cubic-foot drum in a cabinet 27 in. wide.
Does the Samsung DVG50A86 need an outside vent?
Yes. It is a vented gas dryer and must exhaust outdoors through 4 in. rigid or semi-rigid metal duct.
Is the Samsung DVG50A86 gas or electric?
It is a gas dryer. It needs a gas supply line with a shutoff valve and a standard grounded 120 V outlet for the motor and controls.
How much does it cost to run the Samsung DVG50A86?
It is rated at 687 kWh-equivalent per year, about 23.4 therms — roughly $35.17 a year at $1.50/therm, plus a small amount of electricity.
What is the CEF rating of the Samsung DVG50A86?
Its combined energy factor is 3.48 lb/kWh — the pounds of clothes it dries per kWh of energy. Higher numbers mean a more efficient dryer.
Is there a matching ENERGY STAR washer for the Samsung DVG50A86?
Yes. The certification record indicates that a paired ENERGY STAR certified clothes washer is available.
Is the Samsung DVG50A86 ENERGY STAR certified?
Yes. It appears on the ENERGY STAR certified clothes dryers list, with a certification date of December 2020.
Sources and disclaimer
Specifications on this page come from the ENERGY STAR certified clothes dryers dataset published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (record certified December 10, 2020), retrieved October 7, 2026.
The setup, operating, maintenance and troubleshooting guidance is written by ManualHarbor's editors for this specific product type and configuration. It is an independent guide — not a reproduction of the manufacturer's manual — and ManualHarbor is not affiliated with Samsung. Always follow the safety instructions, installation requirements and warranty terms supplied with your unit, and contact Samsung or an authorized service provider for warranty repairs and replacement parts.
Running-cost figures use assumed U.S. average utility prices and are estimates for comparison only. See our editorial methodology for details.
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