Why is my Samsung dryer only drying for 5 minutes?

If you’ve put a load of laundry into your dryer and turned it on, but then a few minutes later it stops working, you’re in the right place.

There are 4 main reasons why this happens. In this article, we will discuss each of them and what you can do to fix the problem from happening. 

Simply start with reason 1 and work your way down the article from there.

Reason 1 – Overheating dryer motor

The first and main, reason a dryer shuts off after a few minutes is an overheating dryer motor. When this occurs, you might need to replace it – especially if you can hear a loud, buzzing noise emanating from the motor.

Here’s how to check if the motor is overheating and needs to be replaced:

1. Start by turning the dryer on to a cycle. When it turns off, wait a few minutes, and check if the dryer starts back up again. If it does, this means the motor is overheating. If it doesn’t start up again, move on to reason number 2.
2. Before replacing the motor, check that the cause of the motor overheating isn’t a full lint trap or the dryer being overfilled with too many clothes. If those two things aren’t the cause, then you will need to replace the motor.
3. To replace the motor, you need to start by turning the power off to the dryer.
4. Remove the lower access panel on your dryer, and set it aside. 
5. Locate the lint filter and remove it from the dryer. You should now be able to see a couple of screws underneath where the lint filter was. Once located, remove the 2 screws.
6. Remove the top panel from the dryer (you’ll need to remove the screws that secure it in place). Before you can fully take the panel off, you’ll need to disconnect the door switch wire harnesses.
7. Locate the drive belt, remove it from the idler pulley, and then take the idler pulley off from its mounting bracket.
8. Lift the dryer drum out of the dryer cabinet, and set it aside out of the way.
9. Locate the motor and remove the wires that are attached to it, followed by loosening the blower wheel.
10. You should now be able to remove the old motor and attach the new motor in the same place the old one was located.
11. Reattach the wires to the motor, tighten the blower wheel, and then put the dryer drum back in place and put your dryer back together again.
12. Once your dryer is back together again, turn it on and check if the problem has been solved. If not, move on to reason number 2.

Reason 2 – Faulty drive belt

If the dryer motor isn’t the cause of the problem, the next likely reason for your dryer turning off is a faulty drive belt. The drive belt goes around the drum in the dryer and the pulleys and helps it to rotate around. If it’s faulty or broken, the dryer will not be able to operate correctly.

The drive belt is easy to check; you simply need to:

1. Unplug your dryer from the power socket.
2. Remove the lower access panel on your dryer and set it aside. 
3. Locate the lint filter and remove it from the dryer. You should be able to now see a couple of screws underneath where the lint filter was. Once located, remove the 2 screws.
4. Remove the top panel from the dryer (you’ll need to remove the screws that secure it in place). Before you can fully take the panel off, you’ll need to disconnect the door switch wire harnesses.
5. Once the panels are removed, you should be able to access the drive belt.
6. Once you’ve located the drive belt, give it a good check for any signs of damage or if it has snapped. If so, it will need to be replaced. If it’s fine, move on to reason 3.
7. To replace the drive belt, remove the old one from the dryer. To remove the belt, you will need to disconnect it from the pulleys and release the bearing by pulling the belt up. Finally, remove the front guide so you can pull the drum out of the dryer enough to be able to remove the belt.
8. Once the old belt is removed, place the new belt around the drum (the groove side of the belt should be against the drum). Make sure the belt is in the center of the drum. 
9. Attach the drum around the pulleys correctly. You can then adjust the idler pulley to ensure the belt is on tight (but not too tight).
10. You can now put the dryer back together again (the same way you took it apart) and check if the problem has been solved. If not, move on to reason number 3.

Reason 3 – Faulty door latch

The door latch ensures your dryer door is firmly closed when operating. If it becomes defective due to too much use, it needs to be replaced. To check the door latch, you simply need to close your dryer door and check if the door is firmly closed. If not, the door latch will need to be replaced. If the door latch is working correctly, you can move straight on to reason number 4 below. 

To replace the door latch:

1. Unplug the dryer from the power socket, or turn the circuit breaker off.
2. Once the power is off, remove the door hinges – you’ll need to remove the screws that hold them in place.
3. Take the door off and then take it apart so you can remove the door latch.
4. Once the door latch is removed, place the new door latch in the right position and put the door back together again.
5. Put the door back onto the dryer, and screw the hinge screws back in.
6. Turn the power on and check if the dryer now works without stopping after a few minutes. If not, move on to the final reason.

Reason 4 – Faulty moisture sensor

Reason number 4 is a faulty moisture sensor. The point of the sensor is to monitor how much moisture is in the dryer. If the level of moisture gets too high, it tells the control board to turn the dryer off. 

Here’s how to check the moisture sensor to see if it’s faulty:

1. Unplug the dryer from the power socket, or turn the circuit breaker off.
2. Locate the screws that hold the top panel in place, and then unscrew them.
3. Pull the top panel out slightly, and then disconnect the wire harnesses that are connected to the control panel.
4. Remove the panel and then unscrew the control panel and take it off. 
5. Locate the screws that hold the lint screen housing onto the front panel of the dryer door. Once located, unscrew them, and then close the dryer door.
6. Locate the locking tab on the front panel and pull it out; unscrew the screws that hold the front panel in place, and disconnect the wire harnesses that are connected to the door. You should now be able to remove the front panel.
7. Once the front panel is removed, locate the moisture sensor and disconnect the wires connected to it.
8. Remove the mounting plate, the lint screen, and the grill. You should now be able to take the old moisture sensor out and attach the new one.
9. Once the new moisture sensor is in place, put your dryer back together again – the same way you took it apart.
10. Turn your dryer on and check if the problem has been solved. If not, you will need to call a qualified technician to come and inspect your dryer.

It is highly likely that you have encountered a Samsung product before, be it a smartphone, electronic, or home appliance. A Samsung laundry dryer is rated to be one of the most reliable machines in the market. However, even with its numerous benefits, it also has its setbacks.

You can fix a Samsung dryer that is not drying your clothes properly by inspecting the moisture sensors and ensure that they are clean. Avoid overloading your dryer with clothes. You can take specific measures like replacing the thermal fuse, electronic control board, dryer timer, or drive motor. 

This article will look at the two major problems that can affect your Samsung dryer. It will also highlight the various steps you can take to mitigate the problem. Additionally, you will also get some additional tips that can help you ensure that such a situation does not occur again.

Samsung Dryer Won’t Stay On or Stops Drying: Causes / How to Fix It

Have you ever encountered a problem with your dryer failing to dry your clothes or not staying on even after several attempts at restarting the appliance? The experience can be nerve-wracking, especially when you have a bucket load of clothes to wash. Fortunately, the solutions are simple to implement.

Clean the Moisture Sensors

When your dryer suddenly stops drying your clothes, it is highly likely that it is malfunctioning due to the two electrodes that act as the moisture sensors not detecting any moisture from the clothes in the drum.

It mostly happens when lint and dirt accumulate with time covering the sensors. To ensure that your dryer works efficiently, you need to clean your unit’s moisture sensor using fine-grit sandpaper to scrub off the dirt on it and a damp rag that has a drop of soap.

Once you finish cleaning the moisture sensors, test your dryer to ensure that it is working correctly. When doing laundry, set the auto-dry settings, and check to see if the clothes are still damp.

If cleaning the sensor does not resolve the problem, you may consider replacing the moisture sensors or finding other alternatives like contacting a repairman.

Avoid Overloading Clothes in the Drum

You may consider to double your drum load when washing clothes to save on time and energy. However, your Samsung dryer may cease to function once you overload it with clothes. When your dryer is overloaded, its motor pulley tries to run during the cycle continuously. The weight causes friction to burn through the belt that turns the drum.

Additionally, the pulley may also break, and the motor can burn out. Too many clothes also prevent the proper circulation of air in the drum. Your dryer, therefore, has to use more energy and time for your clothes to dry.

It would help if you managed your load better by ensuring that you only set the clothes that match your dryer’s capacity. But how much load is appropriate for your dryer? You should ensure that your clothes fill less than two-thirds of the tub. Always consider the weight of the water and fabric as they can affect the effectiveness of your dryer.

Use the Correct Settings

All cloth dryers use the same principle of introducing hot air and drawing out moisture from the drum’s clothes. It works the same for all models and makes, be it electric or gas-powered.

However, modern dryers have adopted additional settings to help improve the drying process. Using the same settings throughout may not get you the results you want to achieve. There are other settings you can utilize that can give you a better result from your dryer.

For example, A Samsung dryer has settings such as the Eco Dry that reduce the amount of heat used and make the drying cycle longer. You can also use the Sensor Dry settings that stop all the dry lightweight items from over-drying. 

Before you can use your Samsung dryer, first double-check your active settings to make sure you are using the right one.

Unclog Your Dryer Vent

A dryer vent full of dirt and lint may be one of the top reasons your dryer is not drying clothes. When the vent is clogged, there is no space for the humid air to escape from the dryer. The moisture is then trapped in clothes forcing the dryer to spend a long time drying them.

Your dryer vent can get clogged by lint and debris that escapes from the lint trap and collects in the duct and fabric softener residue that sticks to the sides of the duct.

Once you know the points where the vent starts and ends, you can disconnect the duct from the dryer and away from the wall duct. If you have an electric dryer, it should be an easy process. By disconnecting, you will get enough room to work.

Note: When your dryer won’t stay on, check to see if there is an error code that pops up or blinking lights. You may be in a position to resolve the problem by troubleshooting the error code. Additionally, check to see if you accidentally put the child lock on. When the child lock is active, the start button does not work.  

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on 2020-11-29.

Samsung Dryer Not Completing Cycle: Causes / How to Fix It

A clogged exhaust vent may force your Samsung dryer to stop before completing its cycle. When the exhaust vent is blocked, the dryer may overheat, tripping the thermal fuse. Therefore, you have to take regular measures that protect the dryer from overheating, such as clearing dirt and lint from the exhaust. 

Below is a video on how to troubleshoot a Samsung dryer that shuts-off mid-cycle:

Additionally, inspect the thermal fuse to check if it may be the reason the dryer does not complete the cycle. Since it does not reset once it trips, you have to replace it.

Sometimes the problem may lie with the motor relay. Naturally, it should keep your dryer running after you press the push-to-start switch. However, the dryer sometimes stops the moment you release the push to start button. 

A failing drive motor, too, may cause a dryer not to complete its cycle. The drive motor plays a critical role in the rotation of the drum during a cycle. It is also responsible for rotating the blower fan blades. When it fails, it may shut-off mid-cycle and restart once the motor cools down. It is best if you replace the drive motor once it starts to show signs of failing. 

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on 2020-11-29.

If none of the above solutions pay off, then the problem may be within the electronic control board. Although it may be receiving voltage, there is a chance that it is not transmitting sensory signals accurately. Determining that the electronic control board is the problem is not easy. But you can find help from a professional dryer technician.

Final Thoughts

When your dryer’s vent is clogged, it may start and stop abruptly before your clothes are dry, leading to overheating of the thermal fuse. You can prevent this by taking regular measures of cleaning the lint from the exhaust system.

All dryers operate when the door is closed. Therefore, your dryer may stop running if it has a weak, faulty, or broken door. Other factors that can affect your dryer include a defective electronic control board, a bad drive, and a failed timer.  

A maintenance specialist can help you make the necessary electrical replacements to ensure your dryer runs smoothly.

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