Dryer stops mid cycle? (Do this to fix it)

If you have ever had your clothes in the dryer and it stopped mid-cycle, you know how frustrating it can be.

There are several things that could be causing your dryer to stop abruptly.

In this blog post, we will take a look at a few potential causes and what you can do to fix them.

Dryer stops mid-cycle (Causes & Possible solutions)

If your clothes dryer suddenly stops working mid-cycle, there could be a problem with the power supply, the thermal fuse, or the start switch. Check each of these components in order to determine the cause of the problem.

Here are some common things that you should look at if your dryer keeps stopping mid-cycle.

Power Supply

First, check to make sure that there is a proper power supply to the dryer.

If the dryer is plugged into an outlet, check to see if there is the power to the outlet by plugging in another appliance.

If the power outlet doesn’t have power, replace the fuse or reset the circuit breaker.

Check the start switch

The start switch is located on the control panel of the dryer, and if it is not working properly, it can also cause the dryer to stop mid-cycle.

To check the start switch, remove the control panel and use a multimeter to test the switch for continuity. If the switch is defective, replace it.

If you have checked all of these components and your dryer still won’t start, you may need to call a professional appliance repair technician.

Check the lint screen

A clogged lint screen can cause your dryer to stop mid-cycle.

The lint screen is located on the top or side of your dryer and should be cleaned before each load.

To clean the lint screen, remove it from the dryer and brush off any lint with a soft-bristled brush.

You can also rinse the screen with warm water to remove any stubborn buildup.

Inspect the venting system

If your lint screen is clean and your dryer is still stopping mid-cycle, it’s time to check the venting system.

Blockages in the venting system are a common cause of dryers stopping mid-cycle.

To check the venting system, start by disconnecting the dryer from the power source.

Then, remove the exhaust hose from the back of the dryer and use a vacuum cleaner with a long attachment to clean out the venting system.

If you don’t have a vacuum cleaner, you can also try using a dryer vent brush.

These brushes are specifically designed to clean out dryer vents and can be found at most hardware stores.

Once you’ve cleaned the venting system, reattach the exhaust hose to the back of the dryer and turn on the power.

Run a test load of laundry to see if the problem has been resolved.

Clean the external vent

If your dryer has an external vent, be sure to clean that as well.

First, locate the vent and make sure there is nothing blocking it.

Then, use a brush attachment on your vacuum to clean the inside of the vent. You may also need to remove the cover of the vent to get a better view (and access) for cleaning.

Check the dryer’s thermal fuse

If your dryer is still stopping mid-cycle, the next thing to check is the dryer’s thermal fuse.

There is a thermal fuse installed on the dryer to prevent it from overheating.

 If the thermal fuse has blown, it will need to be replaced.

To check the thermal fuse, start by disconnecting the dryer from the power source.

Then, remove the back panel of the dryer and locate the thermal fuse.

The thermal fuse will be a small white piece of plastic with two wires attached to it.

Using a multimeter, test the fuse to see if there is continuity.

If there is no continuity, it’s likely that the fuse is blown and you will need to replace it.

Thermal fuses can be found at most hardware stores.

Once you’ve changed the thermal fuse, put the dryer’s back panel back on and turn the power back on.

Next, run a test load of laundry to see if the problem has been resolved.

If your dryer is still stopping mid-cycle, there may be a problem with the dryer’s heating element.

Read: How to replace the thermal fuse in a dryer?

Check the dryer heating element

Your clothes are dried using heat generated by the heating element in the dryer.

If the heating element has gone bad, the controller may not be able to send the right signals at the right time, causing the dryer to stop mid-cycle.

Read: How to replace the heating element in a dryer?

Inspect the dryer belt

It is possible that the dryer belt has become loose or is broken.

A broken or worn-out drive belt will not allow the dryer to run at its full potential.

This is a more serious issue that will require the help of a qualified repair person.

Read: How to replace a dryer drive belt?

Clean the exhaust pipe and vent

If your dryer stops mid-cycle, it could be because the exhaust pipe or vent is clogged. To clean the dryer’s exhaust pipe, unplug it and vacuum out any lint.

If the vent is blocked, you’ll need to hire a professional to clean it.

Check the power supply

A power outage is another reason your dryer may stop mid-cycle.

First, check to make sure the dryer is plugged into an outlet.

After that, check to see if the circuit breaker has tripped or not.

If it has, reset it and try running the dryer again.

Check the power cable

When we talk about commonly ignored troubleshooting steps, this one is right up there.

In fact, this step is often ignored by the experts as well at times.

If the power socket in the wall is working as expected and if the dryer is not working when plugged into that power socket, it’s likely that the power cord is problematic.

You can get the power cord replaced by ordering a like-for-like replacement.

Inspect the door switch

The door switch is what tells the dryer that the door is closed.

If it’s not working correctly, the dryer will stop mid-cycle.

To check the door switch, open the dryer door latch and unplug the two wires from the controller.

Then, use a multimeter to test for continuity.

The switch must be replaced if there is no continuity.

Read: How to replace the dryer door switch?

Look for loose wires

Another possible reason for a dryer to stop mid-cycle is loose wires.

To check for loose wires, open up the dryer and inspect all of the connections.

If any of the wires are loose, tighten them up and try running the dryer again.

Replace the thermostat

If none of the above solutions fix the problem, then it’s likely that the thermostat is faulty.

You’ll need to hire a pro to replace the thermostat because it takes a little bit of skill and knowledge.

Read: How to replace the Thermostat in a Dryer? (In-depth guide)

Make sure the dryer is level

If your dryer is not level, it can cause the dryer to stop mid-cycle.

Use a level to check if the dryer is level and adjust accordingly.

Check if the dryer is overloaded

On a lot of occasions, the dryer may stop mid-cycle if it is overloaded.

This is commonly ignored, but a few extra loads can cause extra stress on the dryer and cause it to stop mid-cycle.

Clean the dryer regularly

Be sure to clean your dryer regularly.

A build-up of lint and debris can also cause the dryer to stop mid-cycle.

If you’ve tried these suggestions and your dryer stops in the middle of a cycle, you should call a qualified appliance technician for more help.

Final Thoughts

There can be many reasons for a dryer to stop mid-cycle.

It can be as simple as a power cable not being connected properly or as complex as a worn-out motor or other internal electrical issues.

Before deciding to fix or replace a part, it’s crucial to figure out what’s wrong with it.

As a basic troubleshooting step, you can start by checking the power cable, power supply, and lint screen to see if they are clogged and balancing the load if the dryer is overloaded.

If you’re uncomfortable doing this yourself, you can always call a professional for help.