It can be a frustrating experience if you’ve just put a fresh load of washed clothes into your dryer only to find that it’s shut itself off after just a few minutes of running.
You’re suddenly left with a load of wet washing, and you don’t know how to get the dryer working again.
If this is happening to you, then don’t worry. You’re in the right place. Fixing this problem is not that difficult if you know where to look.
So in this article, we’re going to cover all the main reasons why this problem happens and how to fix it so you can get your dryer back into action as soon as possible and get those clothes dry.
Why does my dryer keep shutting off?
When your dryer shuts off, it can be a big problem. You may have left the dryer alone, thinking it will dry your clothes well, only to return and find that the wet clothes have just been sitting there the whole time.
So it’s essential to get this problem solved as soon as possible. One of the main challenges in fixing a clothes dryer that shuts off is that there are quite a few potential causes of this problem ranging from simple overheating issues to component-level failures.
Here’s a rundown of all the primary reasons your Samsung dryer may be shutting off.
1. There is a blown thermal fuse
The most common cause of a Samsung dryer shutting itself off is overheating.
As this machine deals with heat to dry wet clothes, there are many heat-producing components that can potentially cause a fire when they malfunction.
Because of this, there are various safety processes in place that will turn the machine off should anything fail or overheat.
The ‘brain’ that monitors these processes and tells the machine to turn off should the temperature exceed a certain threshold is called the thermal fuse.
In some scenarios, the thermal fuse’s reason for turning the clothes dryer off may be legitimate, in which case further investigation should be done into why this has happened.
But sometimes it’s actually because the thermal fuse has gone bad, causing it to turn the washing machine off even though there’s no actual overheating problem.
Ensuring the thermal fuse is in good working order is vital in ascertaining whether there is another issue that needs addressing here. If there is a blown thermal fuse, it will need to be replaced immediately.
2. The drive motor is faulty
Another common culprit behind why your dryer is shut off is because the drive motor has experienced a fault.
This is because the dryer motor is responsible for spinning the washing drum. So when it goes bad, the wash cycle won’t be able to complete.
Here’s a list of simple checks you can perform to ascertain whether the drive motor has failed or not:
- Check by hand if the drum can rotate freely. If you find resistance, the dryer motor may have died. If it turns freely, then it may be a drum belt issue.
- If the drum rotates but does so unevenly, it may indicate that the bearing at the back of the drum has failed. A thumping sound during operation may also accompany this.
- The drum belt motor pulley may have worn down if there is a loud squeaking or squealing noise as the drum rotates.
If any of these issues are present, it may indicate a problem with the drive motor.
But it doesn’t always mean they need to be replaced. Sometimes they are just clogged up with lint and need cleaning out.
3. The timer has gone bad
The timer monitoring component can control many individual processes on the Maytag dryer.
This includes when the dryer should switch off, how long the heater should remain on, or how much time the cool-down cycle should take.
When this component fails, it can mess with the timing of the washing machine, resulting in unusually short cycles where it appears as if the machine has just turned off.
When a timer is damaged, it needs to be replaced in most scenarios, but sometimes it may be something simpler, like a faulty connection where the wire needs re-attaching.
4. The door latch has failed
Door latches on dryers are surprisingly complicated components. They use sensors to tell if the machine has been closed so it can dry the clothes without spraying water all over the room.
However, if either the dryer door latch or any of the sensors fail, the machine may believe the door is open and shut itself off to prevent itself from operating with an open door and making a mess.
Here you’ll need to ascertain whether it’s the physical latching of the dryer door that’s a problem that can usually be identified by noticeable damage on the latch or whether a sensor has gone bad, which can be tested with a multimeter.
5. The vents are blocked
Your dryer uses air vents at the back of the machine to eject the hot air from the Maytag dryer.
Over time these vents can get clogged up with lint, dust, and air to such a degree that it restricts the dryer’s ability to vent.
This causes the machine to heat up more than usual, and if that heat exceeds a certain threshold, the dryer will shut itself off to protect the internals from damage.
Usually, unblocking the vents fixes this problem.
6. Blower wheel issue
The blower wheel in a dryer is designed to circulate the dry air around the clothes and vent out the moist air into the duct system, which is then ejected from the vents.
This component can easily get clogged up with lint or other debris, contributing to overheating.
Sometimes the blower can fail, which will start making a lot of noise.
7. A wiring issue
Dryers use many sensors and interconnected components to communicate with each other and run the cycle properly.
There are many areas in which the wiring or the machine’s power can fail, resulting in the dryer turning itself off prematurely.
A thorough inspection of the dryer needs to be made to identify and fix any wiring issues that may occur.
8. Lack of room
The dryer vent needs room to vent out the hot air and stop it from overheating.
To save space, we sometimes push it into a tight corner where there’s no air circulation. This can result in the dryer not being able to eject the hot air, which then causes it to overheat and turn itself off.
Being mindful of the air circulation and adjusting the position of the dryer accordingly should fix this problem.
How to fix a dryer that keeps shutting off
Now we know all the reasons your dryer keeps shutting itself off we can take the necessary steps to fix the faulty components and get the dryer back in working order.
1. Test and repair the faulty thermal fuse
The thermal fuse is an integral component in managing the internal temperature of the dryer. When this doesn’t function, it’s easy to overheat, which then causes the dryer to shut itself off.
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- To test if the thermal fuse is faulty, start by removing the back panel screws.
- Slide the panel off.
- Using a multimeter, test the thermal fuse for continuity. You can place the connectors between the two protruding prongs.
- If the thermal fuse has no continuity, it will need to be replaced.
2. Replace the drive motor
If the drive motor is faulty, it means that the internal drum won’t be able to turn, which then prevents the wash cycle from completing.
There are multiple potential failure points, including the drive belt, the single bearing on which the drum spins, or the actual motor itself.
The motor may also be clogged, which needs to be cleaned out.
3. Replace the broken timer
Without a working timer giving correct on/off instructions to the components inside the dryer, it will not be able to complete a wash correctly.
Sometimes it can be a simple fix like a broken wire which can be easily repaired. But if any of the contacts that should move to make a connection and complete the circuit do not move, then the timer should be replaced with a new one.
4. Repair the door latch
You should first check that the physical latch and seal of the door are working properly. The door should make an audible click sound and feel secure when correctly latched.
If it appears to be latching ok, then it may be a problem with the sensors telling the dryer that the door is open when it isn’t.
You can test these sensors with a multimeter, and if they are not working, then replace them with new working ones.
5. Clean out the dryer vent
Clogged vents are a significant contributor to dryer overheating, making it shut itself off.
You can access the dryer vents on the back of the machine and clean out any accumulated dust, lint, or hair that might affect airflow out of the dryer.
6. Clean out the blower wheel
Similarly, if the blower wheel is clogged up, then the drum will not be able to turn.
Clean out any obstructions, such as dust or lint accumulation in the blower wheel housing, to ensure it can pass air freely and turn the drum.
There is also a lint filter located inside the machine, which may be clogged up, resulting in the excess lint making its way into the blower wheel.
Clear out this lint filter to passively help the blower wheel and dryer vent out.
7. Check for wiring issues
Although quite a broad issue, a dryer can sometimes shut off because of a loose wiring connection.
A common point of failure is the power cord. Make sure that it works by replacing it with a new power cord and seeing if the dryer can complete a drying cycle without shutting off.
If the wiring failure is somewhere internally, it’s probably best to contact the manufacturer to have a trained electrician repair it.
8. Ensure there is enough room
Dryers require a decent amount of room to vent the hot air adequately.
If the dryer is pushed too close to the wall, consider backing it out by a few inches to give it that all-important space to flush the hot air.
Adrian is an ISCET licensed professional that has completed the National Appliance Service Technician Certification Exam and has the expertise to diagnose and repair any appliance. He is well-versed in the latest technologies and techniques and is always up-to-date on the latest industry standards.
