One common cause of a dryer stopping midcycle is the machine overheats. When this happens, the dryer shuts off automatically to prevent a fire from starting.
The most common include a clogged dryer vent, tripped circuit breaker or unsteady gas flow if it's a gas dryer. The heating element also could be broken or it could also have a faulty thermal fuse.
If your dryer drum is not turning, it's possible that the motor is overloaded, strained, or simply worn out. In this case, you'll need to replace it.
When too much heat builds up in your dryer, lint or debris in the dryer vent line can ignite, resulting in a dryer fire. The overheat shutoff is the dryer's last attempt to prevent a fire.
If your dryer won't turn on but seems to be properly connected to a power supply, check to make sure your home isn't experiencing any power outages, blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers. Before attempting a dryer cycle, make sure all fuses are intact and tight.
Lint Accumulation Lint is the leading cause of a dryer not working.
A dryer not drying clothes may be because of a broken part or because the dryer isn't getting enough power to operate. Before you start looking at the interior of the dryer, check the plug, power cord and breakers: Make sure the dryer is securely plugged in and that there is no damage or wear to the plug or cord.
A tripped thermal fuse can have two effects. In some dryers, it simply shuts off electricity to the heating element. This means a dryer will run, but it will only air-dry clothing. In other models, the thermal fuse stops power completely.
The number one cause of thermal fuses blowing is the build-up of lint inside the exhaust venting which makes the dryer overheat. At least once a year you should detach the venting from the rear of the appliance and use a vent brush to clean out the lint and any other debris to ensure good air flow.
Most dryer problems require a technician, but a few can be fixed on your own. For instance, if you notice your dryer's performance is lagging and clothes take longer to dry, check to make sure there's no lint buildup.
Drum Belt. The most common cause of a dryer shutting off after a few minutes is a broken or faulty drive belt. The drive belt goes around the dryer drum, idler pulley, and the motor pulley and helps the dryer to rotate when operating. If it is defective, the dryer won't work correctly.
Thermal fuse for dryer cost
The cost to replace a thermal fuse on a dryer is $75 to $150 on average. The cost of a dryer thermal fuse is $5 to $10 for the part or up to $60 for OEM parts. This safety device stops the motor when the dryer overheats.
Vacuum Out the Vent
While wearing safety gloves, remove lint from the hole at the back of the dryer. Cleaning lint from a dryer duct requires a vacuum. Use the hose attachment of a vacuum cleaner or shop vac to clean in and around the hole at the back of the dryer.
If you haven't cleaned your dryer vent in a while there are some tell-tale signs to look for that will let you know you should check it out: Your dryer takes much longer than a typical 45-minute cycle to dry. Clothes come out of the dryer damp. Your dryer feels very hot to the touch while running.
A good rule of thumb is to have your dryer exhaust vents inspected and cleaned by a professional at least once per year. However, if you have a household that uses your dryer often, such as one with a lot of children, you may want to consider increasing that amount to every six months.