5 Reasons Why Dryer Keeps Shutting Off – Easy Fix

If your dryer keeps shutting off after few minutes of running, then there must be a problem with its components. To avoid any further inconvenience, you should know the main possibilities that might be causing this and how to fix it. Follow this guide to check each part until you figure out the exact issue. Then fix it using the instructions given in the procedures. If you have difficulties in handling this, you should contact your appliance repair technician for support.

List of Possible Causes why your Dryer Keeps Shutting Off

Here are the possible components that could get faulty over time due to different reasons. Identify the function and defects of each of these.

CAUTION: Unplug the electrical appliance from power before you attempt any troubleshooting. Use safety equipment when disassembling or reassembling the various components. 

Dryer Motor Overheating

The most common cause for dryer keeps shutting off is due to an overheated motor. This means that the motor is faulty and should be replaced. You would be able to hear a buzzing sound before the motor stops working. Once this happens, it is better to wait for at least 30 minutes before you start using the dryer again. If this is the cause why the dryer runs then stops, then the motor would cool down after 2 to 5 minutes and restart again by itself. So you can confirm this by the way it functions. You can replace the motor as follows.

• Disconnect the dryer and pull it out from the wall, so you have enough room to work on it.
• Remove the lower access panel if it is available in your dryer.
• Remove the lint filter, the screws under it, and then take off the top panel on the dryer and disconnect the door switch wires.
• Remove the front panel from the dryer.
• Remove the drive belt from the idler pulley and then take off the idler pulley from the mounting bracket.
• Take the drum out of the dryer cabinet and leave the drive belt on it.
• Loosen the blower wheel by removing the wires from the motor.
• The new motor can be installed now.
• Reassemble the dryer again by reversing the removal mechanism. 
• Plug back the dryer and test if the problem is solved.

Faulty Door Latch or Switch

Your dryer might keep turning off if the door is open or not latched properly. The safety feature in the dryer door stops the operation when the door is open. This would happen because the doors get worn out with time. Hence, the doors would open during cycles and result in your dryer keeps stopping in the mid-cycle. You can inspect the door latch physically and determine whether it is loose, bent, or broken. If there is a problem, then replacing the door latch can be done easily.

1. Turn off the dryer and unplug it from power.
2. Remove the hinges and screws from the door and take the door apart.
3. Remove the door latch with pliers and install the new door latch.
4. Put the door back together and fix the screws and hinges.
5. Plug the dryer back to power and test if the dryer is working properly.

Moisture Sensor Wires Came Off or Oxidized

The moisture sensor is responsible for checking the amount of moisture left inside the drum. If the sensor fails, the control board will not get the required signal, and the dryer would stop its function. This can be another reason for dryer keeps shutting off. The dryer would reckon that the clothes are dry even though they are still wet. 

1. Turn the off power to the dryer, and pull it out from the wall to have enough space to work on it.
2. Take off the top panel by removing the screws on it.
3. Detach the wiring harness from the control board and remove the screws of the control panel, and then take it out.
4. Remove the screws holding the lint screen housing to the front panel and close the door.
5. Dislodge the locking tab on the front panel with pliers. Take off the front panel by removing the screws on it and unplugging the wiring harness on the door.
6. Then remove the wiring harness attached to the moisture sensor.
7. Remove the mounting plate with pliers and remove the lint screen.
8. Unthread the screws on the grill and remove them.
9. Remove the lint filter guide.
10. Install the new moisture sensor and fix the dryer back together, reversing the order of removal.
11. Plug the dryer back and turn on the dryer to see if the problem is solved.

Broken Drum Belt 

If your dryer runs then stops and would not restart again, then the issue might be in the drum belt. This belt rotates the dryer drum as the armature on the motor spins. This would tumble your clothes dry. The belt passes around the drum, idler pulley, and motor pulley. So if you hear that neither the motor rotates nor the drum spins, then there is a high probability that the drum belt is broken. It is normal for the drum belt to wear over time, and this can be replaced by following the procedure indicated here.

1. Switch off the power to the dryer and get more room for work by pulling out the dryer from the wall.
2. Remove the top panel by unthreading the screws, and it would clip off.
3. Unthread the screws and remove the front panel to access the drive belt and the two pulleys.
4. Check the belt for wear and tear and replace it accordingly.
5. Remove the belt off the idler pulley and the motor pulley. Also, check both these pulleys for any signs of wear and tear. If there are any, replace them as well.
6. Release the drum bearing by pulling the belt up.
7. Remove the front guide from the dryer.
8. Gently slide the drum out of the cabinet and remove the drive belt off the back of the drum. 
9. Now install the new drive belt and place the new drive belt around the drum. Make sure the groove side of the belt sets against the drum and then position the drum back into place.
10. Place the belt in the correct position so that it is in the center of the drum. Reach down to fix the belt to the idler pulley and the motor pulley. 
11. Adjust the tension on the idler and ensure the belt is fixed tightly.
12. Reassemble the dryer and then test it to confirm if the problem has been solved.

Broken Idler Pulley or Tension Roller

If your dryer keeps shutting off within 5 minutes and not starting again, then the idler pulley must have been broken. Disassemble your dryer as mentioned in the first five steps above. Locate the idler pulley and look closely for any damages to it. If you see clear damages, then you would have to replace it as it does not serve the purpose of maintaining the required tension.

Does the Dryer Keeps Shutting off due to Overheating?

Yes, the dryer might be shutting off halfway through the cycle as the thermal fuse goes off due to overheating. This is a safety factor used in many electrical appliances to avoid fire hazards. As the thermal fuse is a one-time use part, you would have to replace it because it cannot be repaired once it trips. It can be accessed easily near the exhaust hose, and you can replace it.

The lint filter might also be the reason your dryer keeps stopping due to overheating. It is necessary to clean the lint filter and empty it before drying a load. If it gets debris built up, the lint would escape to the exhaust hose and then into your house. Since lint inside the filter holds moist, hot air, the flow of air would be restricted and increases the heat inside. So make sure to clean your lint filter and check the dryer whether the issue is resolved.

Do Condenser Issues Result in Dryer keeps turning off?

Ventless models of dryers have a condensation system where the moisture cannot be removed through the vent and collected in a tray. If the condensation tray is full, then it would stop mid-cycle. So make sure to empty it after every drying cycle because if it overflows, the dryer will shut off as a safety mechanism. If the condenser is blocked, this would again make your dryer keeps turning off to prevent issues. So then remove the condenser and rinse off the lint on it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a faulty power supply cause dryer malfunction?

The dryer would not function properly if it does not get enough electricity. Check whether the power cord is plugged in properly and that the cord is in good condition. See whether there are any tripped circuit breakers in your main circuit board. If there are any, then stop using the dryer until you find the cause for the fault or high draw of electricity.

Where is the reset button on a dryer?

The reset button of most dryers is located on the control panel.

Can you bypass the moisture sensor on the dryer?

Select a timed dry cycle to bypass the moisture sensor.

Can I clean the dryer vent myself?

Remove the lint from the duct and vacuum inside the duct. Use hose extensions if you need to.

Conclusion

You can troubleshoot your dryer as these are the most common causes for its malfunction. Once you find the issue, you can get it fixed by yourself or get the work done by your technician. So knowing the problem is always better so that you can have a better knowledge of the costs and repairs of your appliance. 

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