Clothes dryers, a staple piece of equipment found in nearly every home, play an essential role in our daily routine. Providing convenience, saving time, and even offering an option for those less fortunate with the weather – there’s no denying the importance of this household appliance. However, there may come a time that it starts to have issues. Why does my dryer keep stopping? There are several reasons such as overheating, power source issue, condenser issues or other things.
Let’s take a look at what the issue may be.
Dryers Are An Important Part of Our Homes
In some households, washer and dryers may be used on a daily basis to keep up with cleaning and drying clothes the kids play in, athletic wear, work clothes and more. If the dryer keeps stopping when you run it, you want to find out the reason right away.
Identifying Reasons Why Your Dryer Keeps Stopping
Suddenly, you’re pulling damp clothes out of an idle machine, scratching your head in confusion. The mystery of a stopping dryer can be as puzzling as it is frustrating. However, various common causes might explain why your trusty gadget is suddenly acting up.
Overheating: A Red-hot Issue
You wouldn’t touch a hot plate, would you? Then why should your dryer? Overheating can cause your dryer to unexpectedly halt its operation. Regularly cleaning the lint filter and venting system can enhance air circulation and keep overheating at bay.
Power Source Problem: Not All Sparks Fly
Your dryer won’t spin if it doesn’t have the juice to do so. Checking the breakers, fuses, and power cord can save you from prematurely blaming your poor, innocent dryer.
Condenser Woes
A crucial component of any dryer, the condenser (or its tray), could also be causing hiccups. If not regularly cleaned, it can become blocked, causing your dryer to stop and start in a manic display of indecision.
Drive Belt: Keeping It Together
If your drive belt breaks, your drum simply can’t rotate. This rubber band is your dryer’s best friend, but when this friendship breaks, it’s time for a replacement.
Door Latch: The Keeper of the Gate
A faulty door latch might seem like a minor issue until it leaves you with a pile of damp clothes. If it doesn’t click into place, your dryer won’t start – it’s as simple as that.
Door Switch: The All-Seeing Eye
The door switch plays a critical role in safety mechanisms. If this little device is faulty, it could be falsely signaling that the door is open, causing your dryer to stop unexpectedly.
Dryer Motor: The Heart of the Machine
The motor is key to your dryer’s operation. Over time, it can burn out, causing your dryer to run for a few minutes then stop.
Moisture Sensor: Reading Between the Lines
A defective moisture sensor could be inaccurately reading your clothes’ wetness level, leading to premature stoppage.
Other Issues with Your Dryer
Beyond the causes mentioned above, other issues like a malfunctioning timer or thermal fuse, a tripping thermostat, or even issues with the control board could be interfering with your dryer’s consistent performance.
Check out the video below about what might be causing the problem.
Other Recommended Maintenance
Now that you know about what might be causing your dryer to stop working in the middle of a cycle, let’s take a look at a few other areas of recommended maintenance.
One of those is cleaning the dryer vent to the roof. If your vent goes to the roof, you want to make sure you clean this out after you clean out the filter. This will require climbing on the roof so you may want to hire a professional to do this for you.
Another is amount of amps that a washing machine uses. It doesn’t usually go above 20 amps, and depends on the size of the washer. Also, it is important to note that it needs a dedicated circuit as well.
Lastly, you should clean your dryer vent that goes outside at least twice a year. This involves taking off the dryer vent cover and looking for a clog. Also make sure there are no animal droppings or lint built up.
When Do I Call a Professional?
If troubleshooting and DIY fixes don’t resolve the issue, it may be time to call in the cavalry. Enlisting professional help is advised if your dryer still displays inconsistent behavior despite addressing all potential problem areas.
Conclusion
A dryer is, without doubt, an essential appliance in our homes. Understanding its intricacies and maintaining it properly will save you frustration, time, and money down the road. So next time your dryer keeps stopping, remember—you’re fully equipped to solve the mystery! While you are looking at what is causing your dryer issues, it is a good time to have a home inspection to see if there are any issues in the home you can take care of early on. Honor Services is your best home Inspection and mold inspection company In Brevard County, FL.
