It can be frustrating when our dryer keeps shutting off. It takes forever to dry the clothing and sometimes, it is just the inconvenience of it all.
If the vent is blocked it will cause the dryer to shut off. A dryer needs ventilation or it will get too hot and the failsafe (thermal fuse) will shut it down until it cools off. Clean the vents regularly and make sure you are cleaning the lint trap every time you use the dryer.
Having a clogged vent is more than an inconvenience that keeps the dryer from running without stopping. It can also be a fire hazard.
Set up a time on a regular basis to clean the vent or have it cleaned professionally. Many house fires have started because of lint in the vent catching on fire due to heat from the dryer.
You might also be surprised by the number of different issues that could lead to a dryer shutting off. Some of these may be associated with specific problems, but here are a few to consider in general:
Dryer Keeps Shutting Off
Dryer Motor – If the motor is failing, it may overheat regularly and shut down to keep it from failing completely. Many times a dryer motor will make a grinding or squealing noise when it is failing. You can check a dryer motor with a multi-meter and replace it if necessary.
Moisture Sensor – Modern-day dryers have moisture sensors that determine when the load is dry. If the sensor is failing, it may shut off the dryer temporarily but then start back up when it corrects the error.
Door Switch – Dryers are made to stop running when the door is open. Otherwise, it is a safety issue if the drum is spinning and you put your arm in it.
If the door switch is failing or has failed, it will not allow the dryer to operate. If a wire is loose or the switch is cracked, it may start and stop the dryer frequently as it is moved by the vibrations of the appliance.
Dryer Keeps Shutting Off Mid Cycle
Is your dryer shutting off in the middle of the cycle? It is a problem that is easy to fix.
A buildup of lint in the lint screen or in the exhaust vent is causing the dryer to overheat and shut off before the cycle is finished. This is a safety measure to keep the dryer from getting too hot. Clean the lint screen every time you use the dryer and have the vent cleaned on an annual basis.
Although the general reason why a dryer will shut off mid-cycle is due to a buildup of lint, it is also due to some safety measures built into the dryer.
Thermal Fuse – The thermal fuse determines if the dryer is getting too hot and shuts it off if the temperature gets too high. A thermal fuse that is failing may send the wrong signal to the control board.
Drive Belt – If the drive belt has stretched, it will sometimes overheat and may not operate the dryer properly. It may cause the cycle to interrupt in the middle. Try to spin the dryer drum by hand and if it offers no resistance, it may be an issue with the belt.
Dryer Keeps Shutting Off After A Few Minutes
Is your dryer shutting off a few minutes after it gets started? There are a number of reasons why this may be a problem.
A faulty door switch is the most common issue that stops the dryer from running a few minutes into the cycle. The door switch is designed to stop the appliance if the door is open. If the switch is faulty, the vibration from the dryer may shift things and cause the switch to shut off the appliance inappropriately.
A number of other issues may be involved, including some that are easy to fix.
Moisture Sensor – The moisture sensor shuts down the dryer if the clothes are dry. It is a part of the auto dry cycle. If the wires are loose or if the sensor is faulty, it may stop the cycle at the wrong time.
Drum Belt – If the drum belt has broken or if it is stretched, it may not operate the machine properly. Try to spin the drum by hand and if it offers little or no resistance, it may be an issue with the drum belt.
Motor Overheating – The dryer motor may be failing. If it is overheating, it will shut down to keep from failing completely. Check the motor with a multimeter and watch for other signs, such as strange noises or a burning smell.
Dryer Overheating And Shuts Off
A dryer will shut off if it overheats to save the motor and other internal components. How do you fix the problem?
If the dryer is not getting adequate air ventilation, it will shut down because it overheats easily. The lint trap should be cleaned every time you use the dryer and the vent should be cleaned every year. If a buildup of lint occurs, it can cause the dryer to overheat. It is also a fire hazard.
Another issue that could lead to a dryer overheating is a faulty thermostat. The thermostat measures the temperature in the dryer and shuts things off when it gets too hot.
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If the thermostat is failing, it may not recognize that the dryer is getting to hunt. It may shut the dryer off but only after it overheats.
If the heating element has failed or is failing, it could also lead to an overheating issue. The heating element can be checked with a multimeter. If there is a problem, it should be replaced.
One other thing to check is the control board. Although it is not possible to test the control board, you can inspect it visually with a magnifying glass.
If you see any burnt areas on the control board or if it is cracked, it should be replaced.
A dryer that is overheating is more than an inconvenience. It is also a potential fire hazard. Do not operate a dryer that is overheating or bigger issues could occur.
Dryer Shutting Off With Light Loads
Sometimes we just want to wash a few items and throw them in the dryer. If your dryer is shutting off when you run a light load, it may be easy to fix.
Light loads will sometimes cause the dryer to shut off unexpectedly because there is not enough in the dryer to operate it on an automatic cycle. You can use a timed dry or speed dry cycle to overcome this issue.
We tend to operate the dryer on auto dry because it is very convenient to do so. It allows us to simply walk away from the dryer and come back when we hear the buzzer.
For many years, people would dry their clothing using a timed dry cycle. In fact, that was the only option.
In modern-day dryers, there are sensors toward the front of the dryer that detects when the clothing is no longer wet. These moisture sensors work automatically, but it is necessary for the clothing to come in contact with it occasionally for it to work.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on December 10, 2021.
If you only have a few pieces of clothing in the dryer, it may not be coming in contact with the sensor enough to shut the machine down. It may just shut down at the wrong time, determining that the clothing is dry when it is not.
It may take some time to learn how long to dry your clothing so you aren’t leaving it in the dryer too long. If you want to dry just a few pieces of clothing, however, it’s the best way to do it.
Dryer Shutting Off When Clothes Are Wet
If your dryer is shutting off and your clothing has not fully dried, it may be an issue with the sensors.
Moisture sensors in the dryer shut things off when the clothing is dry. If the sensor is faulty in any way, it will not properly detect the moisture in the clothing and will shut it down too early. This is done on an automatic cycle, so it will either be necessary to fix or replace the sensor.
The sensor may not need to be fixed but at times, it can also get dirty. If the sensor is blocked by dirt or lint, it will not come in contact with the clothing and may shut down the machine at an inappropriate time.
Visually inspect the sensor to determine if it is in need of cleaning. You should clean the inside of your dryer on a periodic basis to keep this from occurring.
Moisture sensors are relatively easy to replace if necessary. It will often get your dryer back up and running and drying your clothing the right way again.
A dryer that keeps shutting off is often a problem with the door switch. If the switch is loose or failing, the vibration from the dryer will cause it to move and shut the dryer down. In other words, the switch determines that the door is open, even if it is closed. Replace the switch to fix the problem.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on December 10, 2021.