A dryer is an essential appliance in the laundry process; it is the next step after washing your clothes. The dryer depends on a timer that controls each cycle and the time of the cycles, so when the dryer’s timer is malfunctioning, it either results in over-dried or damp laundry, which can be a frustrating experience.
However, there’s no need to worry because, in this article, we will explore all the possible reasons why your dryer time is not working in addition to the necessary steps to solve each cause.
Why Is Your Dryer Timer Not Working?
There are several reasons why your dryer timer is not working; for example, the timer motor is faulty, the timer knob is broken, poor or frayed wiring, unclean contact, or a defective control board.
Determining the primary source of the timer problem is the first step in solving the issue. The following troubleshooting steps will help you determine the root cause of the problem.
1. Timer Motor is Faulty
The timer moves through cycles to determine how much time remains for each cycle, moving with the help of the timer motor. Therefore, if the timer motor malfunctions, it can result in a faulty timer.
Testing it using a multimeter is the only way to determine if the timer motor is faulty.
2. Timer Knob is Broken
The dryer timer has a knob, and the knob is connected to the timer shaft. The timer shaft is the component responsible for selecting the cycle and the drying time; if you notice that the timer knob is broken, then it might be the reason why the timer is malfunctioning.
3. Poor Wiring
The dryer timer is like any other electric part in the dryer; it’s connected to the control board and other components through electrical connections.
If the electrical connections are poor or damaged, it can lead to strange behavior from the dryer timer or cause it not to work at all; therefore, the electrical connections must be checked. You can use the wiring diagram to make it easier.
4. Unclean Contacts
The timer contacts are essential for the functionality of the timer; however, these contacts are vulnerable to the accumulation of debris and dirt.
When the timer contacts become unclean due to the accumulation of dirt and debris, it can affect the dryer timer’s functionality or make it not function.
5. Defective Control Board
The dryer timer has a control board of its own; it is responsible for the functions operated by the timer. Like any other electrical component, the control board is prone to facing glitches and errors.
Therefore, if the control board of the dryer timer has an error or glitch, it will affect the dryer timer or prevent it from working.
6. Defective Cycling Thermostat
The cycling thermostat is responsible for regulating the temperature inside the dryer drum, whether in a gas or electric dryer and also controlling the dryer timer through cycles. Once the heater circuit is turned on and the dryer reaches the desired temperature; then, the thermostat sends a signal to turn on the dryer timer.
The timer stays on until the heater is activated again when the temperature drops. If the thermostat cycling is faulty, it can send wrong signals to the dryer timer, resulting in a defective timer.
How To Fix A Dryer Timer Not Working?
After discussing all the possible reasons why the dryer timer is not working, we can now examine the necessary steps and solutions to each cause.
1. Resetting the Dryer Timer
The first thing to do when trying to solve this issue is to try resetting the timer to clear any problems or glitches. You can do so by powering off the dyer and disconnecting it from the power source.
Turn the timer knob to the “OFF” position and let the dryer disconnect for a few minutes. Then, plug the dryer and put the timer knob in the desired position to check if the issue is solved.
2. Checking the Dryer Timer
If resetting the dyer timer doesn’t solve the issue, then you will need to test the dryer timer using a multimeter to know if it’s faulty and needs to be replaced.
Power off the dryer and disconnect it from any power source, then unthread the mounting screws of the back access panel. Touch the multimeter probes to the timer contacts; if the timer shows no signals of electrical continuity, then the timer is faulty and needs to be replaced.
If there is continuity in the timer, clean the timer contacts from any accumulated debris and dirt before you reinstall the back access panel. Accumulation of dirt and debris could affect the functionality of the dryer timer.
3. Replace the Cycling Thermostat
First, test the cycling thermostat using a multimeter to confirm it’s defective and needs to be replaced. Bring the multimeter and set it to the ohms setting (continuity test).
Unthread the mounting screws of the back access panel to access the cycling thermostat. Touch the wires of the thermostat using the multimeter probes after disconnecting them.
The proper reading of a functioning thermostat is zero ohms; however, if the thermostat is showing a different reading, it’s defective and must be replaced. Another sign of a faulty thermostat is if the appliance doesn’t heat or overheats.
4. Calibrating the Dryer Timer
The dryer timer needs to be calibrated if it ends too late or too soon; you can calibrate the timer through the following steps:
- Power off the dryer and disconnect it from the electrical outlet.
- Cut off the gas supply for gas dryers.
- Unthread the mounting screws of the back access panel.
- Locate the timer calibration dial.
- Adjust the dial for calibration using a screwdriver.
- Increase the time by rotating the dial clockwise or counterclockwise to decrease the time.
- Reinstall the back access panel.
- Plug the dryer and power it on to test the timer.
5. Replace the Dryer Timer
If you have tried all the possible fixes and the dryer timer is still not working, then you will need to replace the dryer timer using the following steps:
- Power off the dryer and disconnect it from the electrical outlet.
- Cut off the gas supply for gas dryers.
- Unthread the mounting screws of the back access panel.
- Take a digital picture of the electrical connections of the dryer timer to use as a reference.
- Disconnect the wires connected to the dryer timer.
- Unthread any screws securing the timer and remove the timer.
- Install the new timer in the same position.
- Use the reference image to connect the wires to the new timer.
- Reinstall the back access panel.
- Plug the dryer and power it on to test the timer.
6. Cleaning the Dryer Timer
The accumulation of debris and dirt can affect the functionality of the dryer timer; therefore, you need to clean it from time to time to ensure its top performance. Kindly the following steps to clean the dryer timer:
- Power off the dryer and disconnect it from the electrical outlet.
- Cut off the gas supply for gas dryers.
- Unthread the mounting screws of the back access panel.
- Clean the dryer timer and its surrounding area using a soft brush.
- Rub the timer contacts using a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol.
- Reinstall the back access panel.
- Plug the dryer and power it on to test the timer.
7. Replace the Timer Motor
First, you will need to test the timer motor to confirm it’s malfunctioning and needs to be replaced; you will need a multimeter tool to test it. Set the multimeter to the ohms setting at its highest resistance and kindly follow the following steps:
- Power off the dryer and disconnect it from the electrical outlet.
- Cut off the gas supply for gas dryers.
- Remove the control console.
- Unthread the mounting screws of the back access panel behind the control console if needed.
- Touch the motor terminals using the multimeter probes.
- The reading should be between 2,000 to 3,000 ohms.
- If the reading is out of range, then the motor is faulty.
- Replace the timer motor with a new one.
- Install the back access panel if removed.
- Install the control console.
- Plug the dryer and power it on to test the timer.
FAQs
The following questions are the most common questions regarding the issue of the dryer time not working:
How to determine if the timer is the root cause or if it’s another component?
You can tell that the timer is the root cause of the problem if the drying process time takes too short or too long or if the timer doesn’t advance through the drying cycles. You can confirm it’s the timer by testing it using a multimeter or inspecting it for any signs of damage.
How often should the dryer timer be calibrated?
The dryer timer calibration differs from cleaning the timer; the calibration should be done only when you notice that the timer is inaccurate or the drying process time is too long or too short. Meanwhile, the cleaning of the timer is required at least once a year to avoid the accumulation of dirt and debris.
What are the signs of a faulty dryer timer?
There are several signs that you can tell from that your dryer timer needs to be replaced; for example, if the timer is not changing, which means that there is a problem with the shaft or another component.
The cycles end after or before the desired time, or the appliance doesn’t function. In addition, if you hear a buzzing noise from the timer or find its knob is loose.
How to prevent the failure of the dryer timer?
Regular maintenance is the solution to avoid any issues with the timer in the future; maintenance should include cleaning it at least once a year. In addition, don’t overload the dyer or use the wrong settings for a load.
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.
